We had the good fortune of connecting with Cherrie Catreese and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cherrie, what do you want people to remember about you?
My approach is deeply rooted in nurturing growth, fostering connections, and creating safe spaces for artists to discover their highest expression of self. What I want people to remember about me is the heart-centered approach I bring to every interaction, transaction, and collaboration. Every day, I aspire to empower individuals by encouraging and inspiring them to shine their brightest light. Whether it’s through the artists or live events that spread messages of healing and transformation, my goal is to leave a lasting impact on both the artists I work with and the audiences they reach.
I want people to remember me as someone who championed authenticity and creativity. Someone who valued human connection above all else and strived to create spaces where artists felt valued, respected, and free to explore their craft without limitations.
I hope my legacy is one of compassion and positive influence, where the ripple effects of my work continue to inspire and uplift others long after I’m gone.

What should our readers know about your business?
My career path began with my studies in acting and psychology. I studied acting methods such as those of Meismer, Bogart, and Stanislavski. But as I got deeper into my coursework, I discovered working behind the scenes on plays as a stage manager, assistant director, and producer. I thrived in the creative process of bringing a production to life that inspired and created an impact in the minds of the audience. So I shifted into arts management and decided to pursue a career in live events and productions. During this time (2008), there weren’t many directors or producers that looked like me. Most were onstage in the spotlight, not behind the scenes, making the magic happen. This realization fueled my passion to break barriers and pave the way for more diverse voices in the industry. I knew that by pursuing a career in live events and productions, I could make a difference and bring more representation to the live events and production space.
Side note, for the class of 2008, the economy was not in our favor. I knew I didn’t want to be a starving artist, so I got a trade. During my undergrad years, I discovered yoga through a theatre movement class. We learned sun salutations and mindfulness breathing as tools to center the mind before going on stage. This technique stuck with me, and I continued my self-study yoga practice by buying DVDs on yoga. Fast forward, I found a passion for teaching yoga and helping others find peace and balance through the practice.
In between working shows, I taught corporate yoga in Atlanta at places such as Bank of America, CNN, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, Emory University, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. My gumption to go door-knocking at these places came from my working in the entertainment space. I also went on to become a licensed massage therapist. This was the added value I brought to corporations looking to expand their corporate wellness offerings. I worked in the community as well, giving back to charitable organizations that needed expertise in the wellness space, from working with teen girls to being on the wellness advisory board for Atlanta’s inaugural Yogathon in Centennial Park.
For the past decade, I have collaborated on retreats, worked live events, and curated workshops as a wellness practitioner. Not to mention working on projects such as Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I’m Free exhibit as Director of Public and VIP Services. My journey has taken me to work a retreat in a quaint town of Tuscany, to interviewing a seaweed farmer Mama in Zanzibar, to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and to meeting a shaman in Peru. I’ve been at the intersection of live entertainment and wellness since the beginning. And my journey continues as I embark on blending the two in Artist Relations.
I have devoted myself to building and expanding my network in the wellness and entertainment industries. Although my journey was not without obstacles, each challenge helped me learn how to be more resilient and adaptable.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Their visit would be centered around self-care activities such as… The Now Massage (Santa Monica)
Dinner: Bodega Wine Bar
Coffee: Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen
Yoga & Mimosas at Malibu Wines
Day Hike Sierra Nevadas
Soundbath Meditation at Unplug
Dinner: Zinc Cafe
Light therapy at Into Me Sea
Breakfast: Urth Caffe (Santa Monica)
Meditation: MindTravel event with Composer Murray Hidary
Dinner: Fixins’ Soul Kitchen
Overnight Trip: Temecula Wine Country vineyards Leoness, Akash, Altisima
Beach Day: Crystal Cove (Newport Beach)
Dinner: Roger’s Garden

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Mrs. Della-Gustina, my high school theater teacher, recognized my potential on stage and gave me my first monologue in Romeo and Juliet’s balcony scene. Her guidance instilled in me the essence of presence and grace under the spotlight, even if it meant donning wings – a memory I still giggle and blush about.

Prof. Bellais, a mentor during my time at Savannah State University, took me on as an assistant director for main stage productions. This experience provided my first glimpse into the intricacies of directing and producing live events.

E.L. Stiles, director of Liberty Theatre’s mainstage shows, illuminated the path of theater production, offering invaluable guidance and wisdom that refined my craft and understanding of the stage.

Robert Morgan expanded my horizons by blending hospitality with live entertainment, providing opportunities to hone my event planning skills on a large scale. His mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping my career trajectory.

My mother has been my constant companion since the beginning. She played a pivotal role in nurturing my artistic talents. Whether it was spending time together in her sewing room cutting baby doll patterns or driving me to piano lessons, she recognized the creative and free-spirited nature within me. Her unwavering support has been a driving force behind my pursuit of a career in the arts. Her belief in my abilities has instilled in me the confidence to take risks and pursue my passions wholeheartedly.

Website: www.catreeseandco.com

Linkedin: /cherriecatreesesmith

Image Credits
Alison Chino

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.