This unique theatrical production brings the wells to the enchanting realm of afterlife, where seven women in biblical history gather at an unprecedented reality game show entitled “Bad Girls: Whatchu Gonna, Do, for Real?”.
However, this is far from a typical reality program. It is hosted by unning and Control DA, the thriving hosts with scandals and high praise. The story makes a dramatic turn when women reveal the true exploitative intent of DA – exploiting their personal saga for his own fame. Uniting by newly discovered sisterhood, they bravely seize control of the show, and ultimately announce the deep truth that was always within their grasp: the transformational power of Jesus Christ.
As the persuasive drama unfolds, some characters embark on a journey of redemption, urging their audience to engage in deep self-reflection about their life choices. This two-day sold out in mid-May 2025, the theatrical experience cleverly blends humor and introspection, demonstrating that even the most infamous figures can discover hope.
At the heart of this groundbreaking production is Chemichemi Players, a professional theatre company operating under the Creating Understanding International (CUI) Center for Performing Arts Center. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the ministry is dedicated to fostering a community centered around Christ, a drama expert. Their commitment to excellence in the performing arts is evident in their mission to “utilise strong, biblical-inspired storytelling to address contemporary issues within the African context.”
It is Dr. Julisa Lowe who leads this passionate community of theatre artists and creatives. The journey to drama ministry began in the US and expanded worldwide, and has been firmly rooted in Kenya with her husband for the past 20 years.
In an interview with Christian Daily International, Dr. Lowe said that before establishing Players, which is chemistry, he toured the United States independently and worked with churches and schools in Kenya, including Nairo Bebaptist Church, Mamurakahill Chapel and Daystar University, “training individuals in various aspects of drama mission, from acting and director to technical theatre.”
From the pulpit to the general public
“We have been involved in church ministry for many years. We have had many great opportunities to teach theology, doctrine and biblical knowledge through drama in ways that attract audiences. However, there are some limitations to what we can do in the church.”
The point arrives where artists want to do “more” and “more often” because they feel a clear calling to ministry through art. This aspiration led to the concept of establishing an independent theatre company, a naturally globally popular model.
The basic motivations of Chemichemi players were attributed to critical observations. Many talented Christian artists felt that they lacked enough platform within the church, and forced them to seek opportunities in the secular world. Unfortunately, once they arrive at the secular arena, “they are sucked into the demands the world wants from them, and they either need money or want platforms and recognition, so they’ll go along with it,” Dr. Lowe revealed.
Her deep-rooted desire was to nurture a clear environment that is a “safe space” where Christian artists could boldly express their faith and have a platform for them to interact with their communities. The space is intended to provide sound entertainment that will allow artists to maintain ethical boundaries. This is an important consideration, especially for young women in the industry who are suffering from exploitation and abuse.
Dr. Lowe said the core purpose has been revealed. “How can we provide a place where people can exercise their craft, grow, and be safe and encouraged, and plays that speak to the general community, especially in terms of biblical worldview?”
During the 2020 Covid-19 closure, the idea of ”Bad Girls of the Bible” came to fruition, and Dr. Rowe had enough time to reflect. She has long owned a study book about American “Biblical Bad Girls” in the library. But her constant question in any story is, “What does this story look like in Kenya?”
Working with colleagues and friends via Zoom, they meticulously studied Bible stories, resonating with Kenyan society, mixing biblical backgrounds with local relevance. Although this research was fruitful, the first attempt at writing a script for the launch of a chemist player with “Bad Girls” in February 2021 proved to be challenging.
The hurdle led to the company’s first production, “Spread Your Garment Over Me,” which quickly became a hit shortly after pandemic restrictions were eased. The play is an adaptation of Dr. Lowe’s previous solo touring monologue on biblical women, featuring multiple talented women from her network, and framed the framework within a cohesive story.
Despite social distancing and masks, 50 people attended each night, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The reviewers praised the play for urging audiences to consult with the Bible, and for causing involvement with the Bible among non-Christians. Dr. Lowe said, “Wow, yes! We are attracting non-Christians in the Bible…this is exactly what we want. We want Christians to own our stories in a way that people are talking about, “What do we have to do with us?”
The success of “Spread Your Garment Over Me” led to the male version of “Kings and Leaders” in 2021. Subsequent productions included a play about Pilate, a family-friendly one-woman show that explores the theme of “What is the truth of this era of relativism?” and manages budget constraints.
Beyond the biblical narrative, Chemichemi players have consistently addressed issues of community, particularly mental health. Dr. Lowe said, “Whether you know about depression, suicide or aging issues, I believe it is the value of the Kingdom to be in a healing space.”
This commitment is a deep personal play about dementia inspired by plays like “All Great Things” that dealt with suicide and depression, as well as the nine-year journey of his mother’s mother with illness in Kenya.
“In other words” was a critical success of winning “two best martial arts” at the Kenya Theatre Awards, but more importantly, it raised enormous awareness. The company collaborated with the Kenyan organization Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, hosted doctors for post-show discussions, and sponsored the play by watching the Asian community re-stage.
Dr. Lowe spoke with delight. “Here we are Muslims and Hindus sponsoring Christian companies and to do a play on dementia about walking past Ganesh’s image in the auditorium of Jalaram.” This experience has demonstrated the ability to “do what is important to the community, gain trust, and gain relationships.”
Since its inception, Chemichemi players have been nominated annually for the Kenya Theater Awards in categories such as “Theatre Company of the Year” and “Best Actor or Actress.” The much-anticipated “Bible Bad Girl” was eventually realized and proved to be a victory. The artists involved have found young women who have “healed” it, especially those who have experienced challenges in the industry. The play resonated as a story of “Hope and Red, Second Chance.”
Critic praise
The feedback is noteworthy and commented that Sana Apost Theatre, an industry reviewer, was explaining that “literally comes at the moment of Jesus,” Dr. Lowe found it incredibly satisfying. Sinema Focus Reviews praised the production’s high quality, especially “set designs…costumes and makeup and hair,” and created the “reality TV show” aesthetic. One review praises its “brave and honest” approach, offering a “subtle feminine gaze to biblical storytelling” and is filled with “a deep insight into time with “logicing humor and themes of identity and belonging, the nature of sin, and the grace of God.”
“Bad Girls of the Bible” was in stark contrast to what other reviewers were told by “religious skits…melodramatic tales, heavy-headed moral messages, and often found in Christian theatres.” Instead, it was a “welcome surprise” that demonstrated not only that it “gets the audience closer to God”, but that “spiritual forms themselves can be energised through spiritual storytelling.”
This success was reflected in the number of audiences. This has skyrocketed from 300 to 1,200 in previous plays thanks to a strong social media marketing strategy targeting church audiences and various community groups.
Despite the artistic and spiritual victory, maintaining the theatre company with ticket sales alone poses a major challenge. Dr. Lowe acknowledged that individual financial contributions, even small, are not sustainable to rely solely on ticket sales, so consistently mitigating pressure by supporting productions for partnerships, sponsors and donors.
The company relies heavily on volunteers because it is difficult to pay full-time staff, emphasizing that their work is “ministry” rather than a commercial company with a large budget.
The first run of “Bad Girls of the Bible” was limited to one weekend due to the effort required to fill the seats and a substantial budget of nearly $3 million ($23,000) of the stage show. Chemichemi players want to re-stage their play or tour the church, but financial logistics remains a hurdle and there is a large cast and equipment needs, which is estimated at KSH600,000 ($4,600).
Dr. Lowe states that the church is “unfamiliar with paying costs,” making financial feasibility an important point of discussion. “If we can get sponsorship, we’ll be happy again,” she asserted.
Looking ahead, Chemichemi players will be re-staged a musical entitled “Romeo and Juliet,” which rethinks classics in which Shakespeare’s classics blend with elements of West Side Story, but this was postponed the following year, and due to the higher nature and higher costs of the musical.
Immediate plans include starting acting classes around September and dedicating efforts to develop new scripts, particularly in response to viewers’ demand for “Bad Boys of the Bible” or “Bad Girls Season 2.”
