Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jerard Chapman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jerard, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

If I could go back in time, I wish I would have started my creative career sooner. I starting taking my creativity more seriously around my third year into college. I was just graduating from a Junior college with my AA, and began attending the Art Institute of Colorado for BA. For many, this may sounds like an ideal time to start the pursuit of a passion, but while I was in High School, I was told “Jerard, your creative mind is so unique and inspiring, you should take it more seriously”, so I wish I would have applied myself earlier.

Art, acting, and creating, all came very easily to me- to put it metaphorically, doors were opening left and right in the creative world, but I was very stubborn and refused to walk through them until later in life. I’m not one to sit in regret and wonder “what if”, and I believe everything is timing, but I would by lying if I said I haven’t had the thought come to mind of, “I wonder where I would be if I took art and acting more seriously in high school like teachers and peers told me to!”

My parents, teachers, community leaders around Aurora, and faith leaders from my church home at the time of Shiloh Missionary Baptist church, could all see something unique with me, but I was afraid of standing out and doing something different. All my friends played sports (football, basketball, track & field) so that’s what I wanted to do. But I excelled in soccer, baseball, art, acting & drama- but nobody in my community that looked like me were doing those things. Little did I know, GOD wanted me to stand out and do something different to inspire others. It wasn’t until late college that I began to realize that and lean into it.

Jerard, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a young child, creativity and acting always intrigued me. I stay in amazement to see actors come together and create a story based on rhythm, flow, tone, expressions, and emotions. I remember standing in the mirror as I would re-enact scenes from my favorite TV shows or movies. On the playground at school, friends would laugh as I would quote different scenes with spot-on imitations, or switch back and forth between characters or emotions. This was me in my comfort zone, around friends and family, being an artist. However, in public or on stage, I was more shy and timid. The gifts and talents GOD blessed me with were different from others. Not better or worse, just different. While I had an abundance of support, I struggled with my own confidence during my childhood.

Being a young African-American male in Aurora, sports is what truly caught the attention of most people. So, I focused on sports and kept pushing my desires of creating to the back. It wasn’t until late high school when I was invited to the art club and realized it would change me forever and be the best decision I made of my adolescent life. I ignored the invite for weeks, but that decision felt like walking through a door that was made specifically for me, opposed to trying to force another open. Yes, I looked different and felt different, but soon realized I was given a gift by GOD because He made me different.

From there, not only did my surroundings become my canvas, but the world became my script! In college as I studied tv/film, acting, writing, and animation, I became more intrigued with creating; the beauty of it and the mess of it. But I just didn’t see creativity as a visual appeal- I was intrigued with the art of business, the art of the mind, the art of relationships, the art of success, and the art of acting. I found inspiration in everything and how everything is a form art.

Over the next 10-15 years, different life experiences, journeys, and lessons, truly challenged my faith and relationship with GOD. Growing up as a part of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church family, I was anchored into my faith and tried to practice my Christianity as best as possible, but I had my many shortcomings, like we all do. But in everything, I always remembered what I was taught from my parents, Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you”. Sadly enough, I found myself trying to leave Him and had a decision to make. I felt lost and alone and needed my spirit rejuvenated.

In 2024, it happened. I was presented with an opportunity that would change my adult life. It was a cold February Sunday morning, and we had just arrived to Hope City Church of Colorado, where I had been a member for 2 years, under the great teachings of Pastor Marlon Saunders. During the 9am service on this particular Sunday, an announcement was made about casting for the upcoming Easter Play. I thought to myself, “man, I haven’t acted since high school, how dope would that be!”
See, I wanted to get more involved with the Church, but didn’t know when or how. As I looked over at my daughter as she played games on my phone, I asked her:
“baby, if Daddy were to be in the Easter Play, would you want to do it with me?”
Then I realized, she has dance practice every Saturday, so, I guess it wasn’t meant to be. As church let out, my daughter asked if we could get food from the hospitality area. Interestingly enough, I had never stayed for food, but this time we did. As we’re eating, I notice two individuals staring and pointing at me. These individuals didn’t look threatening at all, but I thought to myself, “do I already have enemies here!?” As I stayed alert, one of the individuals approached me and said,
“Hi young man, my name is Ivy, and this is Pastor Chris Ford. He is the writer of the Easter play and we want to know, have you ever acted?”
Somewhat caught off guard I told them, “well, hello, and no, not since around high school.”
Ivy proceeded with “well, Chris is looking for a Jesus, and you have it! Can you come out to rehearsal on Saturday?” My eyes lit up, but before I could answer, Chris chimed in and said, “well, we have some other guys auditioning for Jesus as well, but we would like for you to come read.”
All I could think was, “Are these people crazy?! I have not acted in 20 years and they want me to read for Jesus!?”
As I thought of ways to hurry and get my daughter ready to go so I could avoid this conversation, my precious daughter tugs at me and says,
“Daddy, are you going to play Jesus??”
My mind was racing and I needed a moment to process, then I remembered, she has dance practice on Saturday, perfect excuse! Shaken and nervous, I explained to Chris and Ivy:
“oh, my daughter has dance on Saturdays, so unfortunately I can’t!”
That wasn’t stopping Chris (or shall I say GODs purpose), he then followed with “What about Tuesday rehearsal? Could you come by on Tuesday?”
I quickly thought to myself, “dang it! When Pastor Tamara Saunders was reading the announcements, she didn’t say anything about Tuesday!”
I had no excuse now!
“Okay, sure, I’ll come on Tuesday”, I said.

That Tuesday night, after rehearsal as I drove home, it was the most stressful but yet peaceful ride. I was so confused, but yet lucid at the same time. Scared but brave. I was telling GOD:
“how do you expect me to play Jesus!? I literally just moved 3 days ago, I’m planning the biggest event for my nonprofit, I’m a single father, I still have other work, what is this!?”
That was the stress, confused, scared part. But I could feel His spirit sitting next to me, telling me:
“You keep focusing on the wrong things. Stop trying to do what only I can do!”
That was the peace, understanding, and courageousness. In tears, I pulled over and thought to myself:
“If I get this role, when will I have time to practice, who will I read with? Will Smith had Ali to work with for the movie, “Ali”. Jamie Foxx played the piano with Ray Charles in preparation for the role, “Ray”! How am I supposed to embody the role of Jesus!?!?”
Yet again that peaceful voice comforted me and said:
“Son, you’ve strayed away from me the past 10 years, but I heard your cry, wiped every tear, comforted every angry moment, held you when you felt alone, and kept my hand on you when you wanted to take the dear thing I gave you, life! I’ve never left you and will not leave you now. You are ready and equipped. I’ve been walking with you every single day. I don’t call those who are qualified, I qualify those who I call! Go out there as my vessel of emotions and bring souls to me!”
At that moment I broke down in more tears and told GOD, “I’m yours! Use me as you would like.”

I went on to be casted as Jesus Christ and the play was a success throughout the community. Our writers, directors, backstage managers, dancers, other actors and actresses all accepted me into their drama ministry with open arms. Producer and writer Pastor Chris Ford, Directors Elder Eric, and Sonya Robertson all noticed something in me and allowed me the greatest honor and opportunity. For many years I had succumbed to “what I was” and forgot “who’s I was!” As an artist, that stage had become my canvas to express my creativity, passion, emotion, love, and joy to hopefully inspire others with my testimony.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of acting is the freedom and therapeutic component. When performing on stage, I feel like you have the freedom to express yourself with no judgement! We all have so many emotions and typically keep much of them bundled up inside, for me, acting and being creative is the perfect outlet. Whether it’s happiness, sadness, anger, joy, or confusion, every emotion (backed with some passion) portrayed in a controlled manner is therapy and to the audience, it’s acting!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I would say the particular goal/mission driving my creative journey is to spread faith, love, and inspiration in everything. I truly believe in purpose, but typically purpose isn’t anything that just falls in ones lap. It takes some time, experiences, and self understanding to know your purpose. We all have things that we’re good at and things we enjoy. GOD gave us all talents and gifts and He expects us to use them faithfully. Self understanding and experiences allows us to identify things we’re good at or enjoy, but having faith and a relationship with Jesus Christ will allow Him to speak understanding to your gifts and talents. He will show us how to use them, which then turns into love, and before you know it, it’s now inspirational.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chozen22art.com
• Instagram: @303s_Chozen1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerard-chapman-9803379/