http://www.examiner.com/article/karen-jethroe-wins-2012-black-gospel-playwright-competition
July 23, 2012, the Black Gospel Play Association named Pastor Karen Jethroe the Black Gospel Playwright of 2012 for her play, Where's My Inheritance? The association touted Jethroe's play as the next big production, "Reminiscent of an August Wilson play, Where's My Inheritance is one of those special plays that will minister to the hurting soul and leave audiences satisfied and spirit-filled."
Jethroe is the Senior Pastor of Kingdom Life Christian Ministries in Belleville, IL. and also serves as Overseer for Deliverance Church in Malawi, South Africa. Known as a spirit-filled gifted writer, poet, playwright, songwriter, conference speaker, preacher, and spoken word artist, Jethroe ministers outside of the box. "I have been using plays to minister since 2002 when I became pastor. However, I have been writing speeches, skits and poetry since I was 16," says Jethroe. "I think it is a good way to bring the gospel outside of the church walls. It's a way to relate to people on all levels of life."
Founded and directed by Perlie Dunn, the Black Gospel Association was launched in 2006 by a team of producers, directors, and playwrights in Nashville, TN to bring an awareness and validity to Gospel productions as a whole. "We love working with playwrights and helping to cultivate them in the industry." says Dunn. "Our mission is to cultivate and harness talented individuals and extract their God-given talent to inspire, motivate and entertain through the medium of theatre and also wholeheartedly support the inspirational play market to the fullest."
Every year the Black Gospel Play Association hosts a competition where anyone can submit an original play for review. Aspiring playwrights submit their original works of no more than 120 pages to a panel of professional producers, directors, and playwrights in the industry.
In addition to being known as an award winning playwright, the winner receives a $500 cash prize, national exposure, and promotion to producers and promoters throughout the Country. Proud of the growing roster of playwrights represented by the association, Dunn proclaims, "Many of our playwrights have gone on to have their work produced on a national level, radio broadcasting, and their DVDs sold in Walmart."
When asked of her initial reaction to receiving the winning phone call Jethroe proclaims, "I was completely shocked, speechless, amazed, thankful, and grateful. I felt confirmation that I was walking in my purpose."
Described by the Black Gospel Play Association as, "heartfelt and poignant," Where's my Inheritance, is a play that centers on Mr. James Richmond who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It's a tale of Richmond, once a faith-filled, God-fearing man who abandons his faith and family, and leaves them with nothing. Now that he is facing death, he is challenged to right the wrongs of his past while there is still time. Healing cannot happen without revealing secrets, opening old wounds and inflicting new ones on the two people whom he loves and needs the most; two people who have no idea that the other exists. Only God can render the healing and grace needed to bring restoration to this family.
"My plans are that this play would go national," says Jethroe. "I hope it will make it to the big screen one day."
Jethroe can be reached by going to www.twitter.com/karenjethroe or emailing karenjethroe@yahoo.com. To bring, Where's my Inheritance, to your city or for more information about the Black Gospel Play Association log onto: www.bg-plays.com
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