Podcast Episodes

Episode 12: Cheryl Cutlip

by Rachel Caldwell

It was such a gift to spend time connecting with Cheryl Cutlip for episode 12! Cheryl is the founding director of The Project Dance Foundation, formed in 2002 as a mission to bring hope and healing to the world through the universal language of dance.  Cheryl currently directs The Space @ Project Dance, the foundation’s dance training and education program area as well as the precision dance company, The Carolina Snowbelles.

Cheryl began dancing at a young age, and decided by the time she was 15 to pursue dance as a professional career. Her life changed dramatically when she put her faith in Jesus early in her performance career. She shares how she grappled with the place of dance in her life given her new found faith. 

Cheryl enjoyed performing with the Radio City Rockettes for 15 years where her duties included dance captain; assistant choreographer and spokesperson for nationally televised appearances. We spend some time talking about her life as a Rockette and some highlights and fun stories from that season.

We get into some deep conversation around what it looks like to grieve the end of your career as a performer. Cheryl says, “You’re not just grieving the work you did onstage. You’re sort of all of sudden identifying with the very real truth that you won’t do this forever.” She shares the hope that “you have a voice when you’ve gone through something, reconciled with something, and have gained peace from that something”

Cheryl gives us a glimpse into the beginnings of the Project Dance events, which began nearly 20 years ago. Since then, the 3-day Project Dance events have taken place in over 26 cities and 13 countries! Cheryl describes how art has an eternal trajectory and acts as a bridge that connects people and brings unity. For the artist, the real beauty is experiencing God through the art. 

You can listen to the show HERE, and you can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app (ie. iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher).  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

About Cheryl:

Cheryl Cutlip is the founding director of The Project Dance Foundation, formed in 2002 as a mission to bring hope and healing to the world through the universal language of dance.  Cheryl currently directs The Space @ Project Dance, the foundation’s dance training and education program area as well as the precision dance company, The Carolina Snowbelles.

A native of North Carolina, Cheryl’s dance career began in Nashville, TN at Opryland USA. After working on a cruise ship, living in Japan while dancing at Tokyo’s Disneyland, and performing in the European tour of 42ND Street, Cheryl moved to New York where she became a Radio City Rockette. Cheryl enjoyed performing with the Rockettes for 15 years where her duties included dance captain; assistant choreographer and spokesperson for nationally televised appearances including one-on-one interviews with Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, and Larry King. She was the co-choreographer for Kick Into Fitness; and choreographer for Christmas Across America promotional tours, The Yankee Penant Parade and NBC’s Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting special.

Other career credits include the Broadway National Tour of Crazy for You and the Broadway benefit to the stars production of Mack and Mable starring Jerry Herman and Donna McKechnie. Cheryl also danced in the jazz company, Walkerdance under the direction of Tony Award recipient, Chet Walker where she performed in a benefit concert for lyricist and composer, Stephen Schwartz. 

She is celebrating her 24th year of marriage and has two children ages 14 and 11.

Links from the Show:

Connect with Cheryl:

www.projectdance.com

On Facebook

Check out more Resources:

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