ROBBIE STEINER

From my earliest memory at age 2 (trying to figure out how Cathy Rigby flew in a tour of PETER PAN), I have developed a lifelong passion for the myriad of arts and technologies that can be combined to create transformative works of theatre.    After a childhood performing professionally in the Louisville area and producing backyard extravaganzas (of course that included flying in my own backyard production of PETER PAN at age 12), I studied Theatre Education at Indiana University and channeled my love for producing, directing, and designing as the Director of Theatre Arts at Floyd Central High School. 

 

During that time, I was invited by Disney Theatrical Group and Music Theatre International to pilot titles like Disney's NEWSIES and MATILDA.  Teaching and directing at the high school level was a true dream job for me; I relished the chance to mentor young performers, designers, and technicians through technically complex productions with the help of a team of collaborative professional mentors.  Many of my students are now well established in careers throughout the theatre industry, spanning educational theatre to national tours to Off-Broadway to Broadway.

 

Having dedicated the first decade of my career to the development of my students, I left Floyd Central to grow as a theatre artist myself — releasing my musical theatre cover album, Out of Character, returning to the stage at Derby Dinner Playhouse, where I first learned to perform as a child. That work continues. So does the mentoring. Today I am a NYC-based performer, scenic designer, and coach for the students and teachers building the theatre programs of today. I've never truly left education — my classroom has just gotten a lot bigger.