Cast & Crew

Jacqueline Hudson Thomas was born in Washington, D. C. and is the second of four children born Willie and Carrie Hudson. She is married to the Pastor Roy D. Thomas and together they have four adult children, and eight grandchildren.

Jackie’s writing career began while in middle school where she wrote a series of poems, and short stories. Her first play was written, produced, and directed at the Thomas Jefferson Junior High School where it received a standing ovation from the students and an “A” for the class project.

Continuing her writing in high school, Jackie was not prepared for what came next. Discouraged from writing and disappointed by the response to her writing by a high school English teacher, Jackie stopped of school but later continued her education in a night school program. It was during this program that her night school teacher asked to see her writing. Although hesitate, Jackie shared her poems and short stories with him. This teacher can be credited for reigniting her love and desire to write. 

In her twenties, Jackie began to write and product plays for her local church using the members of the congregation as the actors. These plays were sought after in the mid-nineties by other churches. The church theater group performed the plays throughout the Washington, DC Metro area. The most memorable event was when the play, The Eagle Stirs Her Nest, was featured at the National Theater in Washington, DC as part of their Monday Night at the National Series. The National represented was elated to see lines formed around the building with those wanting to see this production.

Soon after this event, Jackie and her husband opened a technology company. With the success of the business, there was little time to continue writing. During the next nine years writing took a back seat to the business which closed in 2002. Soon after closing the company, the writing quickly moved to the forefront once again. Remembering the experience at the National Theater, Jackie had the vision to move the productions to the next level of creativity. During this time she visualized the play, The Eagle Stirs Her Nest as a musical, formed GE Ministries, reestablished the theater group, and wrote the lyrics for the songs. Not being a musician, she hired a musician to put to music the songs for the shows. 

In April 2004, Mrs. Thomas formalized Grace Evangelistic Ministries (GEMinistries/GEM), a ministry dedicated to preaching and teaching godly principles through bible studies, conferences, workshops, retreats, and Gospel Theater where she writes, directs and produces Christ-centered plays.  

In 2008, Jackie rented a theater and once again began touring her shows locally and in 2016, Mrs. Thomas established GEM Theater Productions separating the theater portion of the organization into its own entity. In 2018 GEM Theater Productions was formally recognized as a 501c3 organization by the IRS.

She credits the success of her productions to the dedicated support team of talented people, which includes singers, actors, musicians, support crew, and the world renowned Dr. Kelsey E. Collie as a mentor and Show Director.  Dr. Collie’s support for these productions has had a major impact on the entire cast and crew. Key volunteers of the theater group are: Angel Sheppard, Vocal Director, Jamal Weldon, Music Director, Lead Actors and Actresses; Troy Thomas, Joy Sheppard, Tonya Sheppard, and Monica Freeman. Stage manager, O’Tisha Williams, and dedicated volunteers like Marshall Sanders, Teshawna Newton, and The Millennials singing group all make these shows possible.

Jackie Thomas believes that one of the greatest achievements in life is to help others reach their full potential through the gifts and talents that God gives to each of us.

Angela Sheppard is a very active member of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, She ministers through music, as a Deaconess, laboring in prayer with the prayer ministry, and giving her heart to the women of the church. She is a songwriter and composer and has written 10 songs divinely inspired by God. She has taught at numerous music workshops in the Northern Virginia area. She considers herself a part of the chosen generation and the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ. She trusts in the Lord as her All and All. Angel stands on the promises of God and believes that she can do all things through Christ who gives her strength. And that she is more than a Conqueror through Jesus Christ who loves her. Angel is a mother of 3 children of whom she is very proud and a grandmother of 8 wonderful grandchildren who have brought much joy and laughter into her life.