Church uses theater to address gay rights

By Manya A. Brachear, Tribune reporter

The Rev. Jerry Miller contemplated suicide when he was 15, to end the guilt he felt for being gay. He credits the youth minister at his church for saving his life and vows to pay it forward.

Miller's personal struggle and the countless others he has encountered in his more than 35 years as a pastor inspired "Darkest Before Dawn: A Gay Cabaret," which runs through Sunday at a most unlikely venue: a Methodist church.

"I think the church needs to address social justice issues and put themselves out there, and I think the arts are a wonderful way to do that," said Miller, 65, who since he has retired only now feels comfortable coming out publicly as a gay man, something he couldn't do in the pulpit because of Methodist law.

In addition to serving as minister of fine arts at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church in Oak Park, Miller is the executive director of Passion Theatre, a company under the auspices of the Oak Park church.

"A lot of pastors are scared," he said. "But I want the church to change. I don't want to see another teenager kill themselves. I want the word to be heard over and over again by the youth: 'It's OK to be gay and lesbian if that's what you turn out.'"

Thespians and theologians have a history of sharing space in the Chicago area, including Steppenwolf Theatre, which began in 1974 in a church basement on the North Shore.

Though plenty of ministers preach about social justice every Sunday, Miller believes pulpits aren't the only platform. He believes more churches should use theater to address contemporary social issues too often overlooked, such as gun violence, teenage suicide, homophobia and racism.

Miller has developed three thriving theaters at Methodist churches across the Chicago area. In at least one case, he says, the theater transformed the congregation into a place where gays and lesbians had not previously felt at home, but are now welcome.

"I do think (change) happens from within," Miller said. "I think people are transformed by the arts."

Unlike a sermon, Miller said, theater captures all the senses and requires an emotional investment from the audience. When actors on a stage perform an arresting scene, it can spark a realization that the scene is actually a snapshot of reality and inspire soul-searching, he said.