Profile: Lindsay Robert shines a bright light on the backstage of PTG
Lindsay, 17, is the daughter of Lionel and Lorraine Robert. She also shines in the classroom with her 3.95 GPA and is the co-president of Pioneer Action as well as Pioneer Theater Guild president. She enjoys reading, music and swimming.
Lindsay Robert talks about her “lightbulb” moment shining a light on her future.
“A theater highlight that I would like to share is during the Les Mis preview concert,” says Robert, the Pioneer senior. “I was sitting in the booth writing down my cues and talking to my assistant stage managers on the headset. I looked down at the stage to see all of the actors learning blocking. I had kind of a lightbulb moment and I knew that theater was something that I could do for the rest of my life. I can’t imagine my life without theater in it somewhere.”
Theatre will take center stage in her life Nov. 4-13 when she takes on the role of head stage manager for the Pioneer Theatre Guild’s very special production of “Into the Woods!”
Photo by Sean Carter
James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone’s favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece… and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching.
The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
Robert can’t wait for opening night.
“It’s very bittersweet,” she says. “This will be my final bow as head stage manager, a role that I have held for all four years of high school. On one hand, I am excited about the free time I will gain! Time that could be spent working on the AP Lit homework that I’m behind on (sorry mom!), or time to worry about college and ordering graduation gowns and all those other senior things. On the other hand, I will miss everything else about stage management. I’ve really found my home here.”
Robert says Pioneer Theatre Guild is special for several reasons.
“PTG is absolutely my favorite organization I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of,” she says. “What makes PTG special is the community we have built. I love walking down the hallway and seeing cast learn blocking on stage, sets building the set, paint painting the set, props designing the props. Then walking across the hallway to see costumes sewing and designing and makeup testing base shades. I think it’s so magical to see everyone working so closely together to achieve one goal. Making the show amazing.”
Robert acted in a few small musicals when she was younger. She uses the word “acted” very loosely since her only notable performances were a fork in “Beauty and The Beast” or a brick in “The Wiz.”
“Obviously, I wasn’t the next Barbra Striesand,” she says. “To be honest, I really hated being on stage. I would stand in the wings and cry before every performance. It wasn’t until my friend Amanda told me that Pioneer Theater Guild was looking for new stage managers that I even began to think about the backstage aspect.”
Her very first show was “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” in which she played Frieda. She also appeared in “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Wiz,” and “Lewis and Clark.”
In terms of stage management, she was the third assistant stage manager in PTGs “Matilda” and head stage manager for PTG’s “Our Town,” both during her freshman year.
“I was supposed to head stage manage ‘Les Mis’ the spring of my freshman year, but we all know how that turned out,” she says. “I head stage managed two Play at Home productions for PTG and the play “Peter and the Starcatcher” during my sophomore year. As a junior I head stage managed the ‘Les Mis’ preview concert, Future Stars, and our long awaited ‘Les Mis’ final performance. I also did some lighting design for Future Stars and ‘Les Mis’ in addition to stage managing.”
Her long-term goals include going to college.
“I’m still trying to figure out which one,” she says. “I am applying to most schools as a dual major, one in Theater Design and Production, and the other in Biochemistry. I would love to continue theater in my life! Let’s see where I get in first!”
She offers some advice to youngsters interested in getting involved in theatre.
“Try everything,” she says. “Theater is NOT only singing, acting, and dancing. As someone who tried that to no avail, I am so happy that I decided to give backstage a shot. Without theater, I wouldn’t have met some of my best friends.”
MAIN PHOTO BY Sophie Fonte
Profile: Pioneer senior Isabeli Buendia feels right at home on stage
Pioneer Theatre Guild’s production of “Into the Woods”
Tickets
$15 Students/65+ Seniors/Pioneer Staff
$20 Adults
$75 Opening Night Gala Ticket and Premium Seating*
Reserved Seating Tickets are available and on sale Wednesday, October 12th at www.showtix4u.com/events/ptg
*For more information, visit: HERE
Performance Dates:
Friday, November 4, 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 5, 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 6, 2:00 pm (matinee)
Friday, November 11, 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 13, 2:00 pm (matinee)
