Artist statement
There are not enough words to express the full range of human emotion. We have developed language to be efficient and direct out of a need for survival, but these expressions rarely accurately describe feelings, relationships, and day-to-day struggles. Art fills those gaps. One can see their own struggles in Matisse’s brushstrokes. You can understand the true depth of longing and love in a symphony by Rachmaninoff. Theatre takes this one step further, creating a world before you. It requires you to directly engage with the story you’re seeing onstage. It demands that you apply your own judgment and biases to the characters, opening the possibility for connection and understanding of what it truly means to be human. This is what draws me to the art of live performance. Growing up, my parents emphasized the importance of the arts. They believed it was important to experience theatre as a reminder that the world was bigger than just our suburb in Missouri. I remember being drawn to the collective experience of seeing a show; hearing the person seated next to you gasp or feeling the swell of group laughter. There is no better way to build community than theatre.
As an actor, I believe my job is to create space for that understanding. I am placed in front of an audience not to create a conclusion for them, but to allow those watching the performance to make their own evaluation and connection with the characters. I believe there is no show unworthy of that commitment and integrity. As a person, I understand the power humor holds in our darkest moments, and I’m not afraid to explore that onstage. I never shy away from getting my hands dirty and doing the work. Each project deserves my full attention and focus. That effort is what creates space for laughter, emotion, and connection.
Bio
P Rob Brown is an actor and musician based in Fayetteville Arkansas. They have quite a tenure on stage consisting of musical theater, opera, and plays. Most recently, P Rob could be found on stage in Nebraska performing and touring with Crane River Theater company. P Rob was a part of the world premiere of the chamber opera The Murderess, performed in Kansas City with Landlocked Opera. They have been seen many times performing in various venues in Fayetteville, including The Prom (Barry), Lungs (M), and The Trojan Women (Talthybius) with the University of Arkansas Theatre Department. P Rob is a member of the collaboration cohort, a group of multi-hyphened artists living and working in Fayetteville. With this talented group, P Rob, along with the other company members, performed a piece affectionately titled Longing as a part of the 2023 Inverse Performance Art Festival in Bentonville.
Originally from Saint Louis, Missouri, P. Rob has dedicated blood, sweat, tears, and years to their craft. They are a graduate of Central Methodist University where they honed their performance and directorial skills. Under the guidance of an excellent faculty, They were constantly pushed to not just reach expectations, but drastically exceed them. P Rob was the first student in the university’s history to direct a full-length musical during their schooling. P Rob is one of only a few alumni who have careers in performance.
In addition to performing, P Rob is also an accomplished Choreographer and Director. They are an award-winning choreographer, gaining recognition for their choreography of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic Carousel. P Rob was recognized and awarded for their direction of the musical Ordinary Days and the new play Occidimus. P Rob has helped produce titles including Fault, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Merrily We Roll Along, and Slop Head, to name a few.