Meet Malik Ali | Acting Coach/DIrector/Script Interptreter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Malik Ali and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Malik, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
No risk, no reward. I think risk is akin to growth. Without risk I would have never seen the potential of what my business could be. I believe that we can create the life that we aspire to live. I didn’t even know if anyone would follow me on my journey to realize my deeper potential and purpose. It’s funny because I didn’t see it as a risk, I saw it as a necessity to continue following my path. Risk is a great motivator to get us out of our comfort zone. Over the years, my vision has become clearer and it’s because I’m willing to truly risk it all. I won’t rest on my laurels or live in the past. I seek to constantly improve and continue to challenge myself. I think as we begin to grow we develop stronger muscles and can take on larger risks. It’s like training in the gym. The more you train with consistency, you adapt and can handle more stress. With the right team of people we can enhance our ability to take on bigger risks. To live is to risk!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work is to empower the next generation of upcoming actors. I’ve created a space where people can work and explore the craft of acting. It’s also a creative incubator and production company. As we’ve grown, we’ve collaborated to make short films and live performances. In the future we will continue to expand in this direction. That is what sets us apart. We are not relegated to just a class or educational structure. We continue to push the boundaries when it comes to how actors grow. This journey has been many things, but easy is not a word I would use. It began in the humble basement of my home. I have a passion for helping actors move through this industry with more power and grace. We worked on scenes and showed up regardless of obstacles we may have faced. We overcame it because we loved what we were doing, and together we could create a new way of exploring the craft. I say WE because I didn’t build this by myself. I can’t do anything without the help of the brilliant community that supports Acts of Freedom. Our brand is Freedom. We strive to build artists who are free and equipped to handle the responsibility of that creative freedom. Which is a great responsibility. To be a light in the darkness, to face your fears with confidence, to express fully no matter the size or scope of the role, to have no regrets and leave nothing on the table.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week in Atlanta! There’s so much possibility! Monday would be a day of arrival and relaxation. I am a lover of coffee so we would make the first stop at PERC in Virginia Highlands. From there, we would make our way to the Beltline to see some of ATL on foot. We would stop for lunch at Atrium in Ponce City Market. Then we would head over to the studio for my Monday night on camera class. It’s a fun environment and we would connect with artists in Atlanta.

Tuesday. We would be up bright and early to do a group run with Atlanta Trail Runners. I love seeing a city by foot. We would get a chance to run into Piedmont park and see some of the loveliest houses that the city has to offer while working up a good sweat. We would have lunch at Upbeet on the Westside. From there it would be fun to spend some time on the East Palisades trail. I love this hike because it’s in the city and it ends in a bamboo forest overlooking the Chattahoochee River. As you can tell I spend a lot of time outside. As a 35 year old man with two children, I value a more active life. We would end the day by going to my Tuesday night scene study class!

Wednesday. We would go to the Botanical Gardens to start the day with some beautiful blooms and sunlight. From there we would hit one of my favorite places to eat, El Tesoro in Edgewood. I love the food and the environment. Outdoor seating and tacos, we can’t go wrong! We would end the day by going to a SoFar Sounds concert. I was introduced to Sofar in New York city and I love the intimate setting and giving complete attention to the artist without distractions.

Thursday! How about we start the day off at Perspire Studio in Buckhead to do an infrared sauna session? It’s a great way to get a good sweat and stimulate the body without working out. It’s very relaxing and the benefits are profound. We would have lunch at True Food Kitchen which is one of my favorite places to eat. They have a vegan double cheeseburger that is delicious. In the evening, we would go to the Alliance theater to see a play without question.

Friday would be spent relaxing poolside. I recently found out about the day pass app which gives you access to exclusive hotels, health clubs, and spas without actually staying there. It’s a great way to experience a new place without dropping major cash. After soaking up the sun, I think it would be fun to go to High Frequency Friday at the High Museum. I must confess I don’t spend very much time in the nightlife scene. I have kids and value my sleep, but Frequency Fridays are a happy medium

Saturday. It would be fun to venture outside the confines of the city and spend a day exploring a mountain town like Ellijay. North Georgia is beautiful and the hiking trails offer diverse scenery and challenges.

Sunday would be the day to chill and relax. My favorite thing to do on Sunday is visit the Grant Park Farmers market and stock up on locally grown produce and other fun treats. A lot of families end up just hanging out so you get a sense of the community in the area. After shopping and visiting with my local farmers and friends, I usually go to Eventide brewery for a beer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes to Dan Matha. Owner of Spark In the Dark Fitness. He is my friend first and foremost but he is also my trainer. His tag line is “Training is a Microcosom for life” and through our physical fitness preparation we are prepared for all that life will throw at us. He has an extensive background in health and wellness. He’s played sports on the professional level. More than that he has a deep passion to help people live their best possible life. He makes training accessible for the skill levels. He has a wide scope of knowledge to keep people safe and injury free as the workload increases. I look forward to his growth and helping him grow as we continue to sharpen our skills. Living a healthy life is a non-negotiable for me. It keeps me balanced, centered, and optimistic in the face of adversity.

Website: https://actsoffreedomatl.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actsoffreedom/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Actsoffreedomatl

Other: https://www.instagram.com/malikjali/

Image Credits
All images photographed by Corryn Goldschmidt.