Stillman graduate, Shirlicia Reynolds, will be producing her play, "God Give Me the Grace," at The Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta on July 29-31. Reynolds is writer/producer/director for the play.
After her graduation from Stillman in May 2010, she took some time off to finish writing her first screenplay, "Finally God, I Choose You." In November 2010, Reynolds worked at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport for HMS Host, the world's largest provider of food, beverage and retail services for travelers. She stayed with them for a little over three months before deciding to leave to focus 100 percent on her new project and building her production company.
When asked what inspired her to launch her own production company and how she went about it, Reynolds said, "Wow. I was inspired to start my own production company in the summer of 2008 about a year after I wrote 'God Give Me the Grace.' I did not always want to have my own company, but after a season of maturing spiritually, I realized the production company would become so much more than I ever imagined. I guess when everything stopped being about 'what Shirlicia wanted' is when I totally surrendered to the calling."
Everything became official with God's Anointed Daughter Productions, Inc. on February 22, 2011. Reynolds had been saving money for months to buy her first car when one day she decided to put it all into starting her business. She did some research and found a company online that helped her take the appropriate legal steps.
"My main goal of this production is that I want people to come," said Reynolds. "I want them to come in droves. I want people to fill up the seats who have been feeling lost and alone and in need of restoration. Jesus said He came for the sick so they could be made whole. To me the stage is a hospital; God is the surgeon and we are His tools. I want Him to use us to revive the lives of thousands. He has never lost a patient."
After this play, Reynolds plans on taking this production all around the U.S. and then to go on an international tour. "I want as many people as possible to see what God can do through Jesus Christ if they would only believe. Then in a couple of years I will produce my first movie," she said.
When reflecting on what has been most challenging thus far, she said, "Keeping the faith! Many times I wanted to quit because the process was so rough. It was hard mentally, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually. There were nights when I lost hours of sleep crying about finances, and I felt I had set myself up for failure. Then my mind would play tricks on me telling me I should have never quit my steady job and put all of my savings into a business that would fall flat. Some nights I felt so alone. I felt as if all of my hard work, dreams and goals were in vain. It was in those very moments that God would comfort me through His Word and through the encouragement and support from my family and friends. Prayer really does change things!"
When reflecting on the most rewarding aspects thus far, she said, "The lives that have been impacted to date and the countless more that will be transformed in the months to come. It amazes me how people I have never met before can sit in on one small part of a rehearsal and tell me they see themselves in the characters and can relate. Another rewarding aspect would have to be my spiritual growth. This process and pruning season has taught me to totally put my trust in God. When Jesus died for my sins, He made me qualified to overcome every obstacle. So I am counting it all joy!"
Reynolds, a native of Atlanta, had immense academic and personal success while at Stillman. Her level of involvement in the campus community was unparalleled. Her time at Stillman helped her polish her dreams into reality.
When asked what convinced Reynolds to attend Stillman, she said, "The family atmosphere was phenomenal! The faculty, staff and other students were helpful and made me feel welcome. I knew I needed to be here at Stillman."
Reynolds recalled her most favorable experience while at Stillman as being able to write and produce two original plays. When she brought her creative ideas to faculty and staff, they weren't hesitant, but instead said, "We will support you," said Reynolds. Reynolds continued, "I have had so many opportunities at Stillman. Some of my peers at other colleges and universities said they would never be allowed to do what I have done at Stillman." Her first play, "God Give Me the Grace" debuted in March 2009, in Birthright Auditorium on the Stillman campus. Her second, entitled "Lord Jesus, Ain't that a Mess" debuted at the historic Bama Theatre in downtown Tuscaloosa in March 2010.
Reynolds said that she grew significantly in her matriculation at Stillman. "I have gone from a little girl with a small mind set, to the woman I am today," she said. Through her experience at Stillman, she said, "I know I can be anything and do anything and that my Stillman family will back me."
While at Stillman, Reynolds served as Chief of Staff for the Student Government Association (SGA). She also held membership in the Chancellorette Social Club, Christian Student Association, and Campus Queens Association (2009-2010) as Miss Roulhac Hall. Reynolds served as Chaplain for both Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Eta Chapter. She was also a member of the Blue Pride Marching Band as Clarinet Section Leader, and was Head Residence Assistant in Roulhac Hall.
In regards to awards and recognitions, Reynolds was awarded an increased band scholarship and the Stillman Grant. She was a recipient of the Alabama Independent Colleges Scholarship and won the $1,000 Magic City Classic Scholarship in the fall of 2009. At the 2010 Student Choice Awards, Reynolds was voted as: Stillman Woman of the Year, Greek Woman of the Year, Best Spoken Word Artist, Most Talented Student, and received an SGA award for outstanding achievement.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Stillman family, and I know my future will be greater because of all the love and support I have received here."
Information about tickets and upcoming events can be found at
www.gadpinc.com. Also God's Anointed Daughter Productions can be found on Facebook and Twitter fan pages at:
www.facebook.com/gadpinc and
www.twitter.com/gadpinc. Tickets can be purchased online at
www.tickets.rialtocenter.org. For more information, call 404-413-9849.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Thursday, July 7th 2011 at 1:23PM
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