Founder Sherry Wright-Gully doesn’t call her organization a production company. And while she writes, produces, directs her plays – she doesn’t consider herself an artistic director, managing director or any of the titles bestowed upon those at the helm of theatre organizations. She considers her plays formidable theatrical offerings, but at the end of the day SRD Ministries is exactly that.
Tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, Jun. 6), SRD Wright Ministries returns to the stage with their fifth production entitled “Circle of Influence” at the Missouri History Museum.
“There are some challenges with us just being an anti-Christian society,” Wright-Gully said. “But I feel like we are doing a good job at knocking those walls down.”
Circle of Influence revolves around the most dysfunctional family situation, in which a daughter must handle the most unthinkable abuse and is forced to deal with the repercussions of the actions of others.
Her messages are different from the more traditional sermons in that it uses experiences that are often occurring, but neglected in the messages at conventional churches.
Abortion, rape, HIV, infidelity, teenage pregnancy are just some of the topics included in the hard hitting subject matter she uses to provoke thought and inspiration among her audiences.
While wearing multiple hats, namely producer/director/writer/financier/casting director, Gully says that what she does is by no means easy, but it’s a fulfilling way of doing her part to spread the Word.
“I’m not trying to force religion on them,” Wright-Gully said. “But offer something inspirational that will give them hope.”
But Wright-Gully’s mission in touching souls goes beyond the crowd. Her mission with each show she produces is to impact the lives of her cast as well.
“It’s not just for the audience,” Wright-Gully said. “The message is for them too. And we part ways feeling like family.”
In her productions, like audiences will see in Circle of Influence, Wright-Gully hopes to use entertainment as a method to deliver the word of God and the message of love and hope.
“The people come for one reason and they get something more,” Wright-Gully said. “And despite the obstacles that come my way in pulling it all together, in the end it’s rewarding.”
SRD Ministries presentation of Circle of Influence will take place tomorrow at the Missouri History Museum (Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park). For more information about the organization and the production, call (314) 583-7556.
