WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

Kimberly Miller is a licensed minister and proud Aggie! Aggie Pride! Kimberly graduated from North Carolina A&T University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and received her certificate of ordination from Rowan Association. She’s also taken part in The National Black Theater Festival in Winston-Salem. She’s the CEO of Kimberly Miller Productions and the author of “The Big Decision.” 

Kimberly is one of the kindest, sweetest, and most humble people I’ve met. Her smile is warm and beautiful like a perfect summer’s day. Kimbelry doesn’t look like what she’s been through. “I battled depression over 20 years ago. I was in a place where I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t look other people in the face when I walked past them, because I was dealing with such torment on the inside. I lived in Winston-Salem, and at GTCC, the mental torment in my mind due to the abuse and other things I had to endure, drained me. By the time I got to school. I couldn’t even get out of the car,” shared Kimberly. 

During her battle with depression, God met Kimberly where she was. Now, the mission of the mother of three children is to pay that same love forward.

“God told me the importance of forgiveness and how to pray for those who wronged me. It gave me peace of mind. I wanna help people that may be in bondage, dealing with anxiety, depression, and those who believe they will never see the light of day of happiness. I want to tell them that it is very possible. That doesn’t come with me telling them, ‘You can’t do this no more, you can’t do that no more,’ because none of us are perfect.” She continued, “God has a plan for your life. No one creates something hoping that it would fail. He created you in hopes that you will bring glory to His name.”

Kimberly started a nonprofit organization called Drama TherOpy in hopes that it will help communities of people to be whole in their identities, have strong relationships, and serve as a positive contributor to society. 

Here are questions I posed to Kimberly.

When did you start Drama TherOpy and why did you see a need for this kind of therapy?

Jan. 28, 2022, is the date we officially became a nonprofit organization. Drama TherOpy is not clinical therapy. We give hope through inspirational skits that tell stories of real-life situations, we have open discussion relating to what the skit portrays, and we provide inspirational keys with Minister Kim to give individuals tools to start them in the direction of healing. We usually have a counselor on hand just in case someone feels they need a deeper understanding. However, we are not therapists, we simply minister to the soul. We call ourselves Drama TherOpy because the O in therOpy represents the continuous journey of evolving and becoming.

Drama TherOpy allows individuals to be on the outside of a situation looking in. Sometimes we are unaware of our behaviors as well as how our behavior affects others. Bringing this awareness allows individuals the opportunity to locate themselves and make proper adjustments to live more productive lives and become their best selves.  

What services do you provide? 

We are in the process of developing our mentorship program. We want to stay in contact with anyone who needs support during their journey of becoming whole for up to 90 days after each event.

*We offer to pay the cost of counseling if someone feels they need therapy, to prevent any delays in getting someone assistance. We also partner with local counselors and therapists in the Triad area. 

*We keep a database of services in the community to offer to those based upon their needs.

*We will offer biweekly inspirational teaching for those who are interested.

*We offer transportation for those who need transportation to and from events and/or rehearsals. 

*We will create a Drama TherOpy for your church, school, organization, or family reunion upon request.

 What are some of the topics Drama TherOpy has covered and how do you decide which ones to cover?

This coming Saturday will be our second event. Our first Drama TherOpy event was entitled “Identity Theft Part 1: Who Am I?” and “Part 2, I Am.” During this event we discussed how society, generational curses, and those closest to you can sometimes offer an identity that does not belong to you, and it is up to us to recognize and choose to rise above those suggestions and become all that we were created to be.

Share a couple of inspirational testimonies of people who have gone through your program.

One of our cast members was going through a divorce and she says that Drama TherOpy gave her hope to get back up and operate in her giftings again. She is now doing well and attending Wake Forest Divinity School.

Do you share some of your personal experiences in your plays? 

Yes. I believe there are some of all of us in the productions. Every time we read over a script, there are always several people who will say, hey that was me at one time. It never fails; that’s how I know God is in what we are doing. It’s amazing. 

Another young lady said that she experienced infidelity and the skits were really helping her to deal with the pain, process it and heal. She felt she was able to express what she needed to through her role in Drama TherOpy and find peace.

Another young man shared that Drama TherOpy allowed him a space to open up and talk about some things that he felt needed to be said, which began his healing journey. Being able to talk about things in a safe space is healing in and of itself.

Tell us about The Silent Scream and how it came about. 

The Silent Scream is about a young man who is struggling to get over the fact that his father was in the house but not really at home. In other words, his father was very disconnected from the family, but he was a provider. So, at the start of the production, his father has passed away and he’s angry because he doesn’t feel as if his dad spent time with him and the few times that he could remember, they were all painful experiences. He is depressed and his behavior is screaming out that he is in trouble but no one’s listening. This Drama TherOpy hopes to make people aware of the warning signs of suicide and prevent someone from taking their life because there is HOPE.

When and where can we see The Silent Scream? 

“Saturday, Sept. 30, from 5-7 p.m. at Infusion Worship Center, 3572 Yadkinville Road, in Winston-Salem.

How can the Triad community support Drama TherOpy?

We need volunteers (set builders, prop and stage managers, actors/actress, ushers, light and sound technicians). We always need donations of props, and we are in great need of a location of our own where we can rehearse, perform and have biweekly meetings to change one life at a time. We are also in need of a van for transportation. We can always use partners and sponsors to fund our events. And lastly, we currently have an open seat for a secretary on our board of directors.

Who have been some of your biggest supporters throughout your journey building Drama TherOpy?

Pet Haven, Beautisa, Kimono Japanese Restaurant, and Mayor Allen Joines are all sponsors. My family has been the greatest support I could ever ask for.

Share with us something personal you overcame that prepared you for the conflict resolution and mental health topics that Drama TherOpy tackles.

I am an overcomer of depression, anxiety, physical, mental and verbal abuse. Over 15 years now of being free to be at peace and live in joy that no man can take away. I give all the glory to God!

Do you have a favorite quote that gives you strength?

Yes, God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. The serenity prayer has really strengthened me during some really hard times.

What do you want us to remember about Kimberly Miller? 

That she tried her best to follow the will of God and dedicated her life to help others do the same. That it was so important to her that others understood how much God loves them and wants to see them prosper. Who would create something in hopes that it would fail?  God created each one of us with purpose in mind. That she loved God and wanted nothing more than to hear him say ‘well done’ at the end of her journey.

My phenomenal Person of the Week is Kimberly Miller. Contact Drama TherOpy at www.dramatheropy.org, email dramatheropy@gmail.com, or call 336-645-6741.