Putting faith centre stage
- Dec 5, 2016
- 4 min read
She sits down to begin the process. What social issue is she going to address in this film? She develops her first character with flaws and problems that need to be solved. Her main goal is to encourage discussions about the issue. Then her writing begins. This is the routine for Cheryl Nembhard when writing her films and plays,which are faith-based. Religion plays a major role in her life.
“It’s the fuel for why I do what I do,” she says.
Nembhard is a playwright, composer, director and an ordained minister at Rhema Christian Ministries. She maintains a mission mindset that enables her to bring her faith outside the walls of her church.
“I’ve decided to put feet to my faith and mobilize what I believe in and bring it down to a practical gospel,” she says.
Nembhard co-founded Exousia Media Group (EMG) with her husband Greg Nembhard. EMG is a multimedia Christian group which is self-funded along with some help from crowdfunding. Nembhard created EMG so that she could use creative skills and imagination to advocate for social change. She has written six plays and three films since 2005.She holds bachelors in religious education and music, which allowed her to master the theatre.
“I had a vision of using art as a tool to literally change lives and turn people around,” she says.
Exousia Media Group also helps millennials through education. It deals with community outreach for young people through summer camps and group meetings.
“I knew that I had a call for youth,” she says. “My passion is ...affecting change in teenagers.”
The aim of the group is to provide solutions to problems that plague millennials without being ‘preachy,’ which involves enabling dialogues.
Nembhard says that people are more likely to connect to the notion of drama which is why her plays are successful. When writing she determines which social issue she wants to address. Some of her life experiences influence her writing as they bring the intimate and personalized feelings to her plays. She believes that her films have an impact on at-risk youths as they see themselves in the characters.
“It may be uncomfortable for some, but for many people it could be very healing,” she says. “For 90 minutes on stage… here they are seeing their lives on display. It’s a mirror that forces them to see themselves.”
Nembhard’s play The Ultimate Sacrifice was sold out at the Panasonic Theatre in 2010. It focused on an ex-gang member opposing his former gang to win over souls for God. Julien Hyacinthe, 28, played the lead character Elijah Xavier. Hyacinthe toured the United Kingdom with EMG for the play. He was amazed that people in different parts of the world identified with it. Hyacinthe believes that the play is relatable because it shows that there is a way out from the problems in society.
“Everyone is looking for a healthy dose of a miracle...everyone wants a tangible hope that they can hold on to,” he says.
Hyacinthe started acting in high school and he’s now a full-time actor living in Toronto. He became a devoted Christian when he was 18. He doesn’t force his faith on anyone but believes that through living his life, others will realize God is always willing to help them.
“I’m gonna go out there and live with the souls,” he says. “ I think living with them ultimately will win some.”
Hyacinthe also played the lead in Nembhard’s short film The Son ,which came out in 2013. It was nominated for eight awards at the Gideon Film Festival and won three, including best actor and best screenplay.
Margaryta Soldatova,22, a full-time actress, played the lead role in Nembhard’s short film Rock, Paper, Scissors. It’s a film about self-harm and depression, one of the main issues Nembhard believes millennials are troubled with. Soldatova says she was drawn to the film because she admired the story and the movement behind the it.
“I thought it was an amazing cause and I wanted to try... it was a touching character,” she says.
Soldatova started acting two years ago and since then she has appeared in over 30 films. She had just quit her office job when she auditioned Nembhard’s film.The filming of Rock, Paper, Scissors started in October 2015. This was her first time working with Exousia Media Group. Her character,Jessica, challenged her to tap into her skills to connect with the audience.
“That was a really depressing character. It was a tough one but I loved it ,” she says.
Jessica was a teenage girl who struggled with self-love and sought acceptance from her peers. She was bullied in school and didn’t have any friends. Soldatova says her hope was for millennials to see the film and start valuing themselves.
“Life doesn’t have to end if someone is not accepting you. There is always a way to live and enjoy your life,” she says. “It’s all about finding inner peace and love within yourself.”
Soldatova was born and raised an Orthodox Christian. She believes in God but is more spiritual than religious.
“I don’t go to church, but I know that all of us have God inside of us and we don’t need to go to church to talk to Him or It,” she says.
Rock, Paper, Scissors was featured at the screening of Nembhard’s most recent film TRUTH on Nov. 3.
Nembhard’s goal is to reach out to as many people as possible and make a positive change in their lives with her films and plays. As for the awards and recognition she uses them as a driving force to continue her work.
“I feel humbled...and motivated, more determined than I have been,” she says. “I want to use everything I have to make a difference.”
Comments