Kate Cherry: From Stage Director to Global Arts Leader

A Life in the Arts, Built One Curtain Call at a Time 

Kate Cherry didn’t just step into the world of theatre—she grew up in it. Her father, Wal Cherry, was one of Australia’s most respected theatre directors and educators. He led the Melbourne Theatre Company at a young age and later taught in the U.S. Kate’s path was shaped by both the footlights and the family table.

“I learned early on that art can change how people see the world,” she says. “That idea stuck with me.”

Today, Kate is known across two continents as a powerhouse in theatre, opera, and education. Her work spans more than 70 professional directing credits and over 120 productions as an artistic director. She’s led Australia’s top theatre institutions, taught at elite schools, and directed in New York, Seattle, Hong Kong, and beyond.

This is the story of how she got there—and what she’s still building.

Early Exposure to Theatre and International Living 

Kate was born in Melbourne and grew up between Australia, London, and the U.S. Her childhood was shaped by constant exposure to literature, performance, and academia. Her mother taught English at Swarthmore College. Her father’s career took the family from Australia to Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, and then Boston, where he died directing Master Harold…and the Boys.

The influence of her parents was foundational. “Both my parents taught. Both told stories. I ended up doing both,” she says.

Kate earned a Bachelor of Arts from Bard College in New York on a full scholarship. She later completed a Master of Fine Arts at UCLA, also on full scholarship. Her early training gave her both artistic skill and business sense.

Transforming Australia’s Biggest Cultural Institutions 

In 2008, Kate took the reins at Black Swan State Theatre Company (BSSTC) in Perth. Over her eight-year tenure, she didn’t just grow the company—she transformed it.

“I wanted to build something sustainable. Artistic growth is one thing. But financial and cultural growth have to happen, too,” she explains.

Under her leadership, BSSTC gained national attention. The Australian Federal Government recognized it as one of only six major arts companies to receive part of a $9.3 million funding package. She launched new initiatives, including Australia’s first simulcast of a live theatre show and a groundbreaking collaboration with the National Theatre of China.

Next came her role as Director and CEO of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Australia’s top performance school. In less than two years, she helped lift NIDA’s international ranking from #16 to #10, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“I didn’t just want NIDA to be a school. I wanted it to be a global thought leader in performance training,” she says.

Teaching, Mentoring, and Opening Doors 

Kate’s passion for education runs deep. She has taught and directed at institutions across Australia and the U.S., including NIDA, WAAPA, UCLA, Emerson College, and the Hong Kong Academy.

She has also opened four theatres and repurposed another. “Spaces matter,” she says. “They tell performers they’re valued and tell audiences they belong.”

In 2023, she joined Emerson College in Boston as Artist-in-Residence and later became Artistic Director of Emerson Stage. Her focus there is on creating programs for emerging artists.

“I love working with students. They’re brave and honest. It keeps me sharp,” she says.

Big Productions, Bigger Messages 

Kate’s directing credits span opera, theatre, and musical theatre. Her work includes productions at Seattle Opera, New Zealand Opera, Victorian Opera, Lincoln Center Theater Lab, and festivals in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane.

Standout shows include La Traviata, which won Best Opera at the Helpmann Awards, and Life After George, which won Best Play and multiple nominations for direction. She has worked with major talent, including Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, and conductor Paul Kildea.

“I choose projects that challenge me. I want stories that make people feel something, then think differently,” she says.

Staying Grounded in a Global Career 

Despite an international résumé, Kate stays grounded in what matters most. She splits her time between Australia and the U.S., often visiting California, Massachusetts, and Western Australia. Her husband is an actor and teacher at Emerson. Her son studies at the University of Western Australia.

When not directing, she’s often in nature. “Bushwalking, swimming, galleries—I need all that,” she says. “You can’t make art if you’re not living life.”

Legacy in Progress 

Kate Cherry has received numerous awards and recognitions—from the Helpmann Awards and Green Room Awards to being shortlisted for the Gielgud Award and Telstra Businesswoman of the Year. But she doesn’t dwell on accolades.

“The work is the reward,” she says. “If I’ve opened doors for others, that’s what matters.”

Her legacy continues to grow—not just in the shows she directs, but in the institutions she shapes, the students she mentors, and the stages she builds.

As she puts it: “Art isn’t static. It moves. And I want to keep moving with it.”

==========

Have you read?
The World’s Best Medical Schools.
The World’s Best Universities.
The World’s Best International High Schools.
The World’s Best Business Schools.
The World’s Best Fashion Schools.
The World’s Best Hospitality And Hotel Management Schools.