Though one of the key elements of becoming a great actor or actress is to become one with a role, experiencing a spiritual awakening while acting is something unusual and unique, Jerome Gordon, author and director, said.

But that is what Gordon said a group of students has experienced while taking part in the black gospel musical He is Lord.

Gordon, who wrote and directed the musical, said the cast has been reading its Bibles, going to church more regularly and growing closer to Jesus. Last year’s cast was not entirely a Christian cast, he said.

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The cast came together on its own, he said. The cast is more Christian-oriented and tuned into spirituality and helping each other more.

Katrina Alexis, who plays Joanna, said the show is about the love Jesus has for mankind, and it is the spiritual cast that has inspired her to get more in tune with her spirituality side.

Jesus loves us all no matter what, she said. If we can understand Jesus’ purpose, we can love each other and not see color first.

Jereme Griggs, who is playing Jesus for the second year in a row, said being doing indepth research has allowed him to slide into his role with ease.

I had to read the Bible because all of the words can be found there, he said. I then had to transfer that to rehearsals. I also viewed films to see how other actors played the part, .

For others, research was not needed. Drawing from her personal experience, Ascellus McClinton, who plays Luke, said being a Christian has proven to be useful in playing a Christian character.

Being a Christian allows me to get into character and allows me to portray a character as I think he should be portrayed, he said.

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The Sunday performance put on by the African-American Players Workshop at the Student Center will mark the 10-year anniversary of the show’s copyright.

The musical is a praise show that takes the book of Luke and dramatizes with music and dialogue, Gordon said.

Luke had more information to give, he said. Each one (the authors of the four gospels) had a different point of view. Luke tells it as an eye witness account. This show is like that and is just like reading the Bible.

Gordon said the show will not only be enjoyable, but it will also uplift and inspire audiences.

This show is an eye-opener to bring all Christians together, he said. We need to stop fussing and come together. That’s love, and this group has it.

Gordon said he drew from hymns and various spiritual songs and rearranged them to create the music for the show.

He uses such hymns as For You I am Praying and praise songs such as He is Lord.

Every show I direct I have some music to enhance what is happening, he said. I kept on the musical part of the family.

He is Lord is used throughout the show and is the theme of the praise musical, Gordon said.

He is Lord/ He is Lord/ God has raised Him from the dead and he is Lord/ Every knee shall bow/ Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

He is lord will be presented at 4 p.m. on Sunday in Ballroom D of the Student Center. Tickets are $2 for students and $4 for adults.