Recent Projects
Gorey Stories at Jobsite Theater
I had a spooky, fun time playing a range of characters as Ortenzia in Jobsite Theater’s GOREY STORIES based on the stories of Edward Gorey. Operatic clown? Check. Demonic child? Check. Murderous cousin? Check. I got to join a fabulous ensemble of performers and we made it through the rehearsal process in three short weeks, after facing two hurricanes. The show was a welcome, hilarious distraction to our audiences. The design was visually stunning in complete grey scale where we brought Gorey’s illustrations to life.
“Colleen Cherry is exceptional as Ortenzia. She takes on each character with a different point of view, with a well planned moment to moment leading her through-line amidst the sequence of events. The Operatic moments late in the show are masterful and her vocals are on top display here. With Colleen at the helm, there is always a fascinating performance waiting around every turn, and here is no exception.” - Drew Eberhard - BroadwayWorld
Rocky Horror at Jobsite Theater
I got to spend the summer of 2024 playing Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show! This may have been my favorite show of all time, getting to play a role I’d dreamed about playing ever since I first caught the Rocky bug as a pre-teen. I literally dressed as Columbia in my Rocky Horror themed 12th Birthday party - as they say “Don’t dream it, be it!” Getting to share this much joy with an incredible cast and band to a packed 300 seat theater night after night was an incredible experience. People across generations came dressed up, Time Warped with us, and gave us so much energy. I loved being a part of this sparkly, fabulous party of a show!
“As Columbia, Colleen Cherry once again showcases her awe-inspiring vocal range as well as her onstage courage. She, like the rest of the cast, doesn’t blink when diving into the more sordid side of life. At one point, she sings “It’s a gas!” and then turns her back on the audience, bends over, and bravely mimics breaking wind. Not every performer could accomplish this--turning a fart joke into a moment of crazed exuberance. But Ms. Cherry isn’t every performer; she’s a one of a kind find.” Peter Nason - BroadwayWorld
Theatre Tampa Bay and BroadwayWorld Nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
2023
LIZZIE at Jobsite Theater
I got to reprise the role of the infamous Lizzie Borden in the rock musical LIZZIE at Jobsite Theater after portraying her back in 2016. It was a wonderful celebration of girl power getting to rock out each night with our phenomenal cast and band. Lizzie was a dream role for me back in 2016 and I was thrilled to get to swing the axe and belt my face off to sold out houses night after night!
Arts Annual 2023: ARTSVenture
Creative Pinellas
Creative Pinellas uplifts local artists in our community. I was honored to get to kick off the entrainment of their inaugural ARTSVenture - a family-friendly festival featuring an arts and crafts market, live performances, gallery exhibition, craft activities, and more! I played a solo set of all original songs on their outdoor stage.
Murals in Mind with
St. Pete Arts Alliance
“Murals in Mind” is a new program from the St. Pete Arts Alliance (SPAA) that brings our community of artists together to support and uplift wellness for all, because ART HEALS. I wrote an interactive musical improv song, recorded and accompanied by the brilliant Jeremy Douglass, exploring gratitude inspired by the Shine mural “Can’t Thank You Enough” by Leo Gomez. People who visit the mural can use a QR code to listen and sing along! Check out the mural at 744 6th Ave. S. St. Pete, FL 33701 at Bayfront Health St. Pete and let your gratitude shine!
Jobsite Theater’s Alice
Jobsite Theater’s ALICE is a brand-new cabaret spectacle based on the writing of Lewis Carroll that fuses live music, visual art, puppetry, aerial and circus arts, and plenty of good ol’ fashioned theater magic. It was completely devised by ensemble members of Jobsite and enjoyed a sold out run in the Spring of 2023. I got to write lyrics for several of the songs, inspired by Carroll’s books and poems with music composed by Jeremy Douglass and I portrayed The Queen of Hearts/Bandersnatch.
The Sugar Bats
The Sugar Bats is my musical collaboration with the incomparable Branden Barnett of the indie band Ghost Shirt. We started songwriting together in 2022 and are currently recording an album set to be released in 2024. It’s a little indie rock and a lot of big feelings, with songs about heartbreak, video games, and werewolves! Here’s our song “Origami” from our performance at Jobsite Rocks 2022 at New World Musical Hall.
Custom Songs
I’ve written 100+ custom songs for people’s pets and loved ones. The idea started out as fundraiser for SPCA Tampa Bay’s Virtual Pet Walk in 2020 where I wrote 40+ songs in a few weeks and gained local media attention - including being asked to write a song for Fox 13 Weather Man Paul Dellegatto’s famous pup Brody! I now take orders year-round for custom songs written for your pets, loved ones, business, or special occasion!