In January 2009, Robert produced Two One-Sided Conversations, an evening of new work by emerging playwright, Todd Pate. Two one-act plays, provocative in their storytelling, "Following Annie" and "Behind the Lines" were a personal triumph for both producer and playwright. A graduate of the 2007 CTI 14-week producing program, Robert served as Production Advisor to the Magis Theatre Company's acclaimed adaptation and world premiere of the C.S. Lewis classic, The Great Divorce. His introduction to commercial theater was in 2005 at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, where he premiered Soon of a Mornin', a musical based on the lives of the Pettway slaves and the people of Gee's Bend, Alabama. As part of the Page to the Stage Theatre Festival in 2004, it was performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and won the 2004 Library of Congress Parsons Fund Award. To commemorate World AIDS Day in December 2005, he produced Remember Me, a concert rich with collective memories, current information, allegorical themes, and contemporary and classical music. In 2006, portions of that same concert were repeated to honor the victims of 9/11. In 1973 he wrote the libretto for the opera Las Rosas, which had its world premiere at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center.
Robert has made a career writing promotional and advertising copy, merchandising, styling and editing. After 17 years at Time-Warner, where his responsibilities were as varied as consumer marketing and special events, building management and office operations for Sports Illustrated, he departed in 2001 to return to his love of the theatre. Before leaving Time Inc. he worked closely with senior management to establish Out@time-inc, the recipient of a 2003 GLAAD Fairness Award. As Programming Chair, he would produce and direct company-wide efforts to promote diversity in the workplace.
He began his theatrical career as a child performing on TV and in school and regional productions and in 1956, at the age of nine, he appeared in The King and I with Constance Carpenter. At 13, he entered Bishop Neumann High School in Philadelphia and founded, edited and published, the still thriving theatre publication, the Neumann Gazette. He attended the Parsons School of Design and in 1967 was awarded the June Francis Award for outstanding achievement in design.
A member of The Broadway League, Robert is committed to producing thought-provoking theatrical experiences and quality entertainment. He continues to explore the New York landscape and beyond for brave new voices, creative expression, and opportunities and properties consistent with his mission statement. Producer, board member, activist and fundraiser, he lends his multiple skills and talents to a number of appreciative New York City not-for-profit organizations.
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