Kate Cherry

I’m Kate Cherry, a director, educator, and arts leader passionate about storytelling and its power to transform. I’ve directed over 70 professional productions and produced more than 120 across theatre and opera, with my work staged in Australia, the U.S., New Zealand, and Asia.

My leadership journey includes roles as Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Black Swan State Theatre Company and Director/CEO of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), where I led major organizational transformations that elevated both institutions in artistic reputation and community impact. Currently, I serve as Artistic Director and Artist-in-Residence at Emerson College in Boston.

I’ve always believed in education as a creative force and have taught or directed at institutions like UCLA, NIDA, WAAPA, VCA, and Emerson. I’m particularly committed to mentoring emerging and female-identifying artists, helping them develop empowered and authentic voices.

My work has involved collaborations with world-class artists including Guy Pearce, Greta Scacchi, and Ben Mendelsohn, and I’ve directed for leading companies such as Seattle Opera, Victorian Opera, and Lincoln Center Theater Lab.

Raised in a family of artists and educators across Australia, the UK, and the U.S., I carry their legacy into every creative space I enter. When I’m not in the theatre, you’ll find me swimming, reading, or walking along the coast, always dreaming of the next story to bring to life.