Since her childhood, Sherri Brown-Webster has been enthralled with performing arts. She spent her days as a young girl in the mirror playing with makeup, costumes and different hairstyles. She’d make up characters and perform in the mirror.
“I was eight years old and my music teacher had us doing role play,” Brown-Webster recalls. “So, I’d go home and practice, pretending to be these different people.”
Brown-Webster’s love for acting continued throughout her childhood. In fourth grade, she wrote her first play titled “Gary, Indiana.” She rushed to school excited to share it with her class. Her teacher loved it so much, they adapted it into a play and her fourth-grade class performed it.
“[My fourth-grade teacher] was really the one who encouraged me to pursue this work, so I did,” she said.
Since then, Brown-Webster’s acting career has taken her to Germany, Hawaii and even on a North American tour of “Menopause the Musical.” Now, she’s working behind the scenes and giving Black actors a chance to break into the industry through her company, Genesis Theatre Company. Founded in 2007, Genesis Theatre Company began as a drama ministry at Nu Corinthian Baptist Church, where Brown-Webster attends. She was starring in and conducting plays for Easter and the holiday season, but she felt a calling to do more.
“I loved the performances I was seeing around town, but I wasn’t seeing the stories that I was interested in,” Brown-Webster recalled. “I’m fascinated with the Bible and history. I wanted to tell these stories because no one else was telling them.”
The Genesis Theatre Company specializes in Christian-fellowship entertainment. The performances the company does are mostly original, written by Brown-Webster and her crew. They specialize in bringing Biblical stories to life. As a Black-owned company, Genesis also focuses on helping aspiring Black actors make their mark within the Indianapolis theater scene. When working with new actors, she instills in them that they have something truly unique to bring to the table.
“Everyone can’t be Vivica [A. Fox] or Taraji [P. Henson],” Brown-Webster said.
Sarah Daniels performed in three productions with Genesis. She loves working with the company because she feels like it’s another way to showcase her faith.
“Being part of Genesis Theatre Company means so much to me because it’s God’s ministry,” she said. “It allows me to use the gifts God has given me to reach out and minister to all people, not just those already in church, but those who will come to [our shows].”
Brown-Webster wants the city to understand that there is more to the theater scene in Indianapolis than Broadway shows that come to town. She said there are great performances to enjoy that are born and bred right here in town, starting with her company. For the next two years, their performances will be held at Marian University.
Genesis will perform O Zion — A Musical Tribute to Women in the Bible. Actors will portray 24 different women from the Bible and their struggles with assault, infidelity and confidence issues. Brown-Webster believes this show is perfect in the midst of the #MeToo movement.
“Our nation really needs healing and what better way to do that than showcasing these women,” Brown-Webster said.
“Every woman in the audience will be able to relate to the women on stage,” Brown-Webster added.
O Zion — A Musical Tribute to Women in the Bible
When: 7:30 p.m. May 18
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. May 19
4 p.m. May 20
Where: Marian University Theatre, 3200 Cold Spring Road
Cost: Tickets, $15, are available at www.genesistheatrecompany.com and www.brownpapertickets.com, or call (317) 294-5577.
