Clyde“CJ” Burgess has been an active member and performer of the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Company, a major partner of Start Strong Austin, for three years. Throughout the school year, Clyde works with other teens to create and perform original shows about youth issues. Clyde works to promote safe and healthy relationships among teenagers by bringing performances to schools, conferences, and community organizations throughout Austin and central Texas. He is involved with the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Company because he believes teens involved develop valuable leadership skills that they can share with other students at their different school campuses. As a performer, Clyde is aware of the influence that pop culture and the entertainment industry have on teens’ ideas about dating relationships.

“The more we can show people there are signs of abuse before relationships are physical, the more they can see that we’re not stuck to Hollywood standards.” He believes theatre is a way to portray a message without preaching or lecturing. “We’re showing real people in real life situations, adapting art to be beneficial to everyday people.”

This fall, Clyde will begin his first year at Huston Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, where he plans to pursue a degree in either Teaching or Psychology. His career plans include earning a graduate degree in Counseling and one day opening his own practice. Clyde plans to continue his work with the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Company as a mentor to the high school students in the troupe.