Cancer Survivor, Entrepreneur and Performing Artist, Delores Burgess Establishes The Brio Theater

At a time when independent arts organizations are fighting to survive and Black women remain underrepresented in theatre ownership and leadership, entrepreneur and performing artist Delores Burgess, is building something extraordinary in Tucker, Georgia.

Burgess, an internationally renowned gospel singer, is the founder and visionary behind The Brio Theatre, a dynamic performing arts and creative hub designed to become a cultural community anchor for the City of Tucker, while expanding its influence and impact throughout metro-Atlanta.

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As the nation prepares to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, this fall, Burgess will step onto her own stage to tell perhaps her most personally revealing story. A three-time breast cancer survivor, Burgess will star in "Fighting for the Title," an original one-woman musical production chronicling her extraordinary journey through cancer, her resilience, faith, determination and fight to reclaim her life.

"Sharing the story of my breast cancer journey has opened a whole new world of awareness, personal triumph and education, impacting so many women with whom I've come in contact around the world," shared Burgess. "Opening the Brio Theater is a long-held dream that also fulfills my purpose and vision for positive community impact. The Brio is more than just another performance venue, it's an ambiance, a feeling of warmth and vitality," she continued. "In fact, the word 'Brio' in Italian means 'spirited enthusiasm,' which epitomizes the culmination of my decades-long journey through entrepreneurship, artistry, resilience and survival," she said.

An award-winning recording artist, actor, playwright, director, author, certified action coach and artistic mentor cumulatively for more than 30 years, Burgess has built a career that refuses to fit neatly into one category. Now she is adding another distinction: the owner of a brick-and-mortar theater.

As a Black woman leading and owning an independent theater, Burgess represents a particularly uncommon presence within an industry in which women of color have historically faced barriers to ownership, financing and leadership opportunities.

Yet Burgess isn't interested in making history simply by occupying the building. Her passion is to build legacy and open doors for others to realize their artistic dreams.

"The Brio represents everything I have learned about business, creativity, purpose and perseverance," Burgess explained. "It's more than a theater, what we're building is a fine arts institution as well as a creative incubator where creativity, purpose and community intersect," she said. "I wanted to create the kind of space where people don't have to wait for someone else to give them permission to pursue their creative vision. We have a collaborative component for creative projects that align with our overall mission, where individuals can come here to develop, strengthen, and bring their vision to life," Burgess said.

The newly renovated multi-use creative center, open for about six months, hosts stellar original stage productions, performing-arts training, personal-development workshops and community events, while providing a creative home for aspiring and established artists and instructors.

The vision unfolding at the Brio Theater encompasses Burgess' passion for music, storytelling and theatrical performance. Her one-woman musical, "Fighting for the Title," explores the emotional and personal realities of fighting for one's life while discovering the strength to move forward and thrive. Burgess seamlessly plays nine compelling characters, including her sassy five-year-old self, a triumphant grandmother, and a no-nonsense doctor to whom she stands toe to toe. As owner of the Brio, Burgess also lovingly acknowledges the support of her family, including her husband of over 35 years, Gary Burgess, her business partner at The Brio, as well as her talented, creative, and business-minded daughters.

Her long-term vision is to establish The Brio as both a destination for exceptional entertainment and a creative ecosystem where artists, entrepreneurs and community members can dream, learn, collaborate and grow.

"The Brio is all about the wonders of talent, creativity and possibility," Burgess said. "Whether someone is just starting to dream, is an experienced performer, an entrepreneur with an idea or a person who has carried a creative dream for years but never knew what to do with it, we want them to know The Brio is a place where that vision can be explored and nurtured."

The weekend performances for "Fighting for the Title" will take place Friday, September 25 thru Sunday, September 27 and Friday, October 2 thru Sunday, October 4, 2026. The show begins at 7:30p.m. and also has matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 3:00p.m. Group discounts available for 10 or more tickets. The Brio Theater is located at 4445 Hugh Howell Road, Tucker, GA 30084. For information on purchasing tickets, go to briotheater.com.