It is with heavy hearts that we offer our condolences to the friends and family of Charlotte Dougherty. We would like to take a moment to honor the lasting impact she made on the Matthews and the Black Hills arts community.
Charlotte was a current member of our Board of Directors and a dedicated supporter of the Matthews for more than a decade. Her involvement began in 2014 when she joined the Readers Theatre program, and from that moment forward, she became a remarkable force of creativity. A gifted writer, playwright, director, and actor, Charlotte brought countless stories to life both on and off the stage. She appeared in productions including Ladies of the Mop, Stepping Out, and many others, while also writing and directing numerous plays and short stories that were performed at the Matthews. Charlotte had a unique ability to find inspiration in everyday life and transform it into meaningful theater. Among her many accomplishments was a full-length mystery staged as the featured production for the tenth anniversary of Theater on the Run in 2021. Before her passing, she completed another original mystery for this year’s fifteenth anniversary production. We will be honored to present that work in September as a celebration of her life, creativity, and legacy.
Beyond her creative talents, Charlotte also brought a sense of balance to the Matthews team with her strategic thinking and business background. She always knew how to ask the deeper logical questions in a room full of inspired artists and performers. Supporting not only our imaginations of what could be, but also how to maintain the sustainability of the organization. She had a true gift for blending creativity with practicality, helping strengthen the organization while championing its artistic vision.
Charlotte’s influence will be remembered by staff, board members, actors, artists, volunteers, and audiences alike. Her creativity, wisdom, and generosity helped shape the Matthews in countless ways. As we look to the future, we will carry the same optimism, thoughtfulness, and passion for the arts that she shared so freely with our community.
