Amanda S. Cherry is an award winning photographer, freelance journalist, author, playwright, actress, director, former EMT, and military veteran. She served in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1992-2000 first as a combat medic and then a public affairs specialist. She was deployed from 1996-1997 in support of Bosnia’s Operation Joint Endeavor. Her photos have been published in local newspapers and magazines, receiving an honorable mention in “Proud to Be: Writings by American Warriors Vol. 2” a collection of writings by military veterans and their families. Her first published short story was also featured in “Proud to Be: Writings by American Warriors Vol. 3.” Another biographical piece was recently published in “Who’ll Stop the Rain? Respect, Remembrance, and Reconciliation in Post-Vietnam America” by Doug Bradley.
Her freelance reporting has appeared in local newspapers from Oregon, Minnesota, Iowa to Missouri. She was the executive editor for the Homefront United Network website, where her comedic alter ego Military Martha first appeared combining her love of theatre with all things domestic. In 2018 she became the first female veteran to found a non-profit theatre company dedicated to serving military, veterans, first responders, and their families. As Artistic Director of Charlie Mike Theatre Company (www.charliemiketc.org) she is dedicated to continuing the mission of service through education, outreach, and theatre, featuring those who served. She is currently the host and creator of a new podcast called “Embrace the Suck; Healing Trauma through the Arts” which debuts July 4th.
Amanda runs a writing group for women writers and participates in writing programs across the country for military veterans. She works as an editor for the Department of Joint Interagency and Multinational Operations at Ft. Leavenworth’s military college. Lives the single life in Kansas City with her service dog, Buster Brown.
With Poetic Theater Productions:
Featured Artist in Veteran Voices: Reckoning