Good People of Playback (Charlene Honeycutt)

Meet Charlene Honeycutt, board member and director of development for the Orpheum Theatre.

How long have you lived in Memphis? 

Since 1988. I moved here in high school with my family and while I don’t recommend starting a new school as a high school sophomore, 30 years later I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

How long have you been a part of Playback Memphis? 

My first experience with Playback was as an audience member a few years ago; I joined the Board this year.

Who inspired you to get involved with Playback? 

I had attended a couple of Memphis Matters performances, so I knew how powerful Playback’s performances were, but it wasn’t until my friend, Board Chair Lisa Hume, told me about the work that was happening in schools that I better understood the depth and breadth of their work. The decision to join the board was an easy one.

What do your friends and family know about Playback? 

Not enough. Which is a great reminder to get them to a performance soon! The next Memphis Matters are December 1 and December 2.

How do you most love to spend your time when you are not Playback-ing or where do you find joy in your life these days? 

Listen, I’m an introvert living an extrovert’s life, so I definitely look for times to recharge. Last Sunday, I spent the day binge-watching Stranger Things. Complete happiness!

What is calling you to be brave these days? 

 Reading the news.

Pets? 

Yep. Cats Chester and Piper – two of the sweetest, shedding-ist, troublemakers in town.

What do you love about Memphis? 

It’s a long list! I like the food, the people, the vibrancy of the arts. I love Memphis’ authenticity, its realness. Most of all, I love that Memphis is about the size of a Ritz cracker – everyone really IS connected in some way!

Why does Playback matter to you?

Because you can’t understand where someone is coming from until you listen to them. Playback helps teach how!

Why should Playback matter to others?

I was at a luncheon recently and a line from the pastor’s invocation stood out to me: may we never be indifferent. That’s the thing I hope people get from Playback.

Favorite cocktail? 

I’m really digging Ghost River’s Grindhouse Cream Ale these days.