encourage & equip performing artists to expect more & be extraordinary.
about me
Hi. My name is Sherryl-Lee...
But everyone calls me 'Sher'. I'm a freelance theatre director, Artistic Director of Honour Productions (an independent performing arts company in Brisbane, Australia), and author of the theatre blog, An Idiot On Stage,
director
When I first stepped on a stage at 15 years old, I began a journey of learning that continues today, working with some amazing performers and creatives.
Since 2010, I've directed many theatre productions all over South East Queensland, with some of my favourites including the Queensland premier of the Tony Award winning Nice Work If You Can Get It, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera, and the Queensland premier of the Broadway hits, It Shoulda Been You and She Loves Me.
I've had the pleasure of working with amazing teams, directing the Queensland premieres of FUN HOME and The Heartbreak Choir, independent productions produced by PIP Theatre in Brisbane. FUN HOME received 3 Matilda Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Performance in a Lead Role, and winning the Matilda for Best Performance in a Supporting Role for the talented Micheal Enright as College Alison.
Fun Home (PIP Theatre) featuring Aurelie Roque and Theo Hunt. Photographer Kris Anderson
i believe
person first, artist second
Your art is what you do, but not all that you are. Develop balance.
collaboration
Create a project culture where everyone can find their voice.
expectation
Respect, courage, professionalism, hard work and always learning.
music for life
Some years back, my husband (an orchestra musician) and I created The Inspire! Project. Through our work, we had discovered that tens of thousands of Queensland school music students (and their parents) had never attended an orchestral concert; never experienced the inspirational value of amazing musicians playing music they were learning about.
As part of The Inspire Project, a student could attend a pre-concert orchestra rehearsal, sitting amongst the musicians, observing from the stage. They then enjoyed the concert with their parents, in the audience. The entire family gained a better understanding of the value of music education.
The Inspire! Project, now managed by The Queensland Wind Orchestra, aims to encourage young musicians to continue playing music throughout their life, encouraging creativity in our communities.
The Heartbreak Choir (PIP Theatre, 2026). Photographer Kris Anderson
my blog
to encourage and equip performing artists to expect more and be extraordinary.
7 truths to help you handle criticism in community theatre.
How do community theatre people handle criticism? In my experience, not well. We give way too much of it and we don’t know how to accept it from a position of strength.