Devine Glory Magazine Worshipper: Summer 2013 | Page 22

religion,” McRae said. “I didn’t feel that I should compromise. I
didn’t feel that I should do things that God didn’t want me to
do.” Instead, McRae went home and began writing.

Courtesy of Joe McRae

CARTERET MAN
COMBINES FAITH WITH
THEATER
Joe McRae’s “Real Men Pray”
To Start East Coast Tour
It’s been said when one door closes,
an-other opens. But emerging playwright and producer Joe McRae of
Carteret knows all too well that he
had to turn the knob and give the
door a good push to get to where he is today – just months from
taking his play, “Real Men Pray,” on the road for an East Coast
tour after its performances began on Saturday, Dec. 3 at Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick.
Thirteen years ago, McRae was an aspiring actor nurturing dreams of a theatrical career while working as a caseworker for the Division of Youth and Family Services and raising a young family with his wife Sonia. As a sociology major at
New Jersey City University, he had acted in college theater,
doing everything from “Hamlet” to “The Wiz." He was called
to New York to audition for a voiceover, the type of bread-andbutter work young actors gladly accept while awaiting their big
break. But it wasn’t to be. Asked to recite a string of expletives
during the audition, McRae refused.
A man of deep faith, he says he could not, in good conscience, utter words he felt were offensive to his beliefs. The
director pleaded with him. “God will forgive you,” she said.
Her words stung him even more. He left, perhaps ending any
chance of an acting career in the mainstream entertainment industry. “They wanted me to do things that went against my

He decided that faith and theater could co-exist. He
founded Joe McRae Productions and wrote his first faiththemed play, “Take Back What the Devil Stole,” in 1998. His
second, “All That Glitters Ain’t Gold,” was nominated for a
Gospel Tiffany Award. He also wrote and produced “Behind
the Shout” and “That’s My Momma.” Each speaks to audiences
about the power of faith. In his plays, he aims to communicate
the message of a loving, forgiving God through believable characters faced with the familiar challenges of life. The dialogue is realistic
and contemporary, but never profane.
“After every show I’ve done, someone comes up to me and says ‘you
just told my story’,” he said.
“Real Men Pray,” which will
be presented at Cross-roads Theatre in New Brunswick today
(Sat., Dec. 3) at 2 and 7 p.m., focuses on four men whose lifelong friendship is nearly destroyed by a series of betrayals and
bad choices that derail their dreams and their relationships with
the women in their lives. “Real Men Pray” was written to appeal to young people and families as it delivers lessons of truth
and redemption via Ms. Lola, known as “The Wisdom,” a matriarchal, all-knowing figure who’s seen and lived it all.
Faith and religion remain central to McRae’s life. He
has been in the ministry for 14 years and is an Elder with a
Church in Jersey City while still working as a caseworker. He
also produces skits and leads theater workshops for young people in schools, community centers and nonprofit organizations.
Past performances of “Real Men Pray” was scheduled
at The Freedom Theatre in Philadelphia, March 3; the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, April14; Newark Symphony
Hall, May 18 and 19; The Billie Holiday Theatre in New York
City, July 27 and 28; and Howard University in Washington,
D.C., Sept. 29. McRae is now on tour with "That's My Momma" another must see play, by Joe McRae., For more information
about
Joe
go
online
to
www.JoeMcRaeProduction.com.

Jessica Rogers Ministries
21

www.simply-jessica.com