No Experience Necessary.
Introducing Cherokee Ray the President of the Little Theatre Players.
“I genuinely don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t discovered the LTP and the performing arts.”
Cherokee Ray, LTP President
Let’s get started by telling us a bit about yourself. What was it like getting started at the Cultural Society and how long have you been involved here?
Cherokee: I'm Cherokee Ray, an actor here at the CCS, and I've been involved around here since 2011. At first, I was scared and nervous. I'd never actually done any performance stuff before apart from school music concerts when I was a little kid. So I felt like I had something to prove. Now? Now I feel like whenever I'm walking through those doors, I'm walking into my home.
You're now the president of the Little Theatre Players group. What impact has the Little Theatre Players had on your life creatively and personally?
Cherokee: I was very much the misfit or the outcast growing up. The LTP gave me a home, a sense of belonging, and an outlet to be anything and anyone I could imagine to be. I genuinely don't know where I'd be if I hadn't discovered the LTP and the performing arts.
What's been a lasting memory your have performing?
Cherokee: When it comes to lasting memories, I've had so many. If I had to pick just one, I would have to go with my first mid-performance standing ovation when I was portraying Gomez Addams in The Addams Family Musical. Seeing everyone stand and applaud as I gave my all to belt out a sustained high note still replays in my head.
When did you discover your love for performing arts?
Cherokee: I feel like I've always had a love for the performing arts. As a kid I had an overactive imagination and watched a LOT of movies. You could always find me acting out scenes from my favorite films or imagining my own version. I never had a way to really express that creativity until I joined with LTP.
Elmwood Speaks 2025.
The Addams Family Musical 2023.
“he pulled me aside and said “Don’t worry about what the audience is going to think about you, focus on yourself and give the performance you want to see.””
Where do you find your inspirations for acting?
Cherokee: I have a few people I draw inspiration from. Chris Farley, Gene Wilder, Robin Williams, and John Candy are my biggest inspirations. But bar none, the biggest inspiration I have is from the words of one man. The late Bryan E. Smith. He saw my potential before anyone else did and one day, when struggling with confidence during my first musical, he pulled me aside and said "Don't worry about what the audience is going to think about you, focus on yourself and give the performance you want to see." Those words have been the driving force behind every performance I do.
Was there a time where you were challenged by a particular role or performance?
Cherokee: This actually ties into my above response. The biggest challenge I had was overcoming my own trepidations in performing in my first musical role. It was a lead at that so my nerves throughout the whole process were intense to say the least. The show was The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and the role was William Barfeé. If it weren't for Bryan, I'm unsure how well that would've gone for me.
“if you feel like you don’t belong somewhere, you will belong here. We have a spot for everyone, not just performers.”
If you were to encourage anyone to join in Little Theatre Players, what would you say?
Cherokee: The LTP will always be there with open arms to accept anyone needing a place to call home and a family that will have your back. So if you feel like you don't belong somewhere, you will belong here. We have a spot for everyone, not just performers. Don't like the idea of working in front of an audience? Backstage crew would be perfect. Have more of a construction background? Help us build sets. More artistic and crafty? Painting sets, helping with costumes, and even props are all things we need in the performing arts. Bringing a show to life is a community effort, so come be a part of ours.
How can someone find out more about Little Theatre Players?
Cherokee: To find out more about the LTP, you can call up the CCS during office hours at (618) 532-2951. You can also find our group page on Facebook, just search up The Little Theatre Players. Or message me through my email: cherokee.cray95@gmail.com. Or my Facebook, my profile is Cherokee Ray. Or you can text me at my personal cell at (618) 322-7642. I'm always happy to answer any questions regarding the LTP such as meeting times or audition information when we have some coming up.
Rocky Horror Show 2017.
