Mr. Burt is co-founder and served on the originating Board of the non-government support organization, Cambodian Living Arts. Under his leadership, Cambodian Living Arts commissioned and produced the new Cambodian-American rock opera, Where Elephants Weep, in 2008, and served as Chair of Season of Cambodia, a festival of over 120 Cambodian artists represented by over 20 of New York City’s leading arts and academic institutions. Most recently he served as Chair of Cambodian Living Arts first major capital campaign successfully securing over $2.5 million to inspire and ensure the next generation of Cambodian artists and cultural workers.
Mr. Burt was founding producing director of the Traveling Artists and Performers Company, an initiative of the Connecticut Commission for the Arts, 1978-1982; In 1986 he founded and became executive artistic director of River Barge Productions and its affiliated Theater Institute at St. Lawrence University. During his tenure he was an associate producer of the Broadway musical, Starmites, nominated for a TONY Award for Best Musical 1989 and was executive producer of the first New York State Eco-Theater Festival, 1990. In 1996, Mr. Burt commissioned and executive produced the Children of War Theater and Film Project’s new play by James Lescene, The Road Home: Stories of Children of War, in association with Fordham University, premiering New York’s Asia Society in 1998 before an international tour that launched The Hague’s 100th Anniversary International Peace Conference, 1999-2000.
Mr. Burt did his undergraduate studies at Hampshire College (1974-78) prior to receiving his MA in Expressive Arts Therapy (Drama Therapist), 1980-82. He did his Doctoral studies in Expressive Therapies at the European Graduate School (2009-2012).