Phillip Cherry

Theatre is about self-transformation and communication—and a seasoned theatre professional like Phil Cherry brings both insights about the African-American experience and the Core Content to your students.

Phillip Cherry, a prominent actor, producer, writer and arts administrator, brings a deep love and knowledge of theatre to bear upon his educational work. With professional credits from television and major motion pictures as well as twenty-five years of experience in building youth and adult theatre projects throughout the Louisville metropolitan area, Mr. Cherry is a strong believer in the power of theatre not only to inspire a love of the art form itself, but also to inspire young people with the messages it can bring.

A full-time theatre professional and skilled educator (with over ten years with the Governor’s School for the Arts!) Phil Cherry facilitates everything from Core Content assemblies (elements of drama, performance and production) and assembly programs focused upon Black History Month to workshops teaching Ancient Greek theater, poetry, and the thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance who made the civil rights movement possible. This year, he added work in melodrama (think damsels in distress and cunning villains!) with students writing their own scenes and staging them. It’s a winning combination, addressing multiple curricular strands for students and teachers across the arts and humanities and social studies – intermediate through high school!


Availability:	September-October 2008. February-March 2009
Costs for programming:	$840 / 4 programs $400/workshop day (4 workshops/day)*
Program format:	Assembly/workshop
Audience limit:	250/elementary 300/MS & HS 30/workshop
* Prices above reflect significant subsidy from New Performing Arts' fundraising with arts education supporters statewide and nationally.

Phillip Cherry brings a passion for drama and the arts and their role in the community to his program. A talented educator as well as a seasoned actor, Phil uses the arts as a vehicle to emphasize the importance of building team skills and communication skills, while encouraging an appreciation for all aspects of the arts through his own love of theatre, poetry, and literature.

Among his many other accolades, Phillip Cherry has been Neighborhood Arts Director for the Fund for the Arts, founded the Nontraditional Tour Theatre of Louisville, and was director of the Portland Youth Limelight Theatre of Neighborhood House in Louisville. In addition to his many stage credits, Phil has numerous TV and film appearances and has worked with such actors as Al Pacino, Bill Murray and Ashley Judd, and has a new film coming out this spring!