Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert King Jr.
Hi Robert, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from Victoria, TX. My parents took note at a very early age that I was not like most. While other kids my age were outside or playing, I created plays to get the neighborhood together to participate in what he would call our “Backyard Theatre”. I wrote produced and starred in my 1st original play while I was still in High School titled “Is That Yo Mama?” and after I saw that it was a great success, I went on to write other back-to-back plays one right after the other. I thought to myself, “If my hometown of Victoria enjoys my writing this much, why not turn the next chapter in my life and move to a bigger city.” I think at that point, I knew what I wanted to do with my career. After graduating high school, I moved to Austin, TX to pursue my professional theater career as an actor but I never let go of my passion for writing.
Robert has captivated audiences in the roles of Jim in “Big River”, Hoke in “Driving Ms. Daisy”, Papa Ge in “Once on This Island”, and Buck O Neil in “Satchell Paige and The Kansas City Swing” just to name a few. As opportunities became scarce for African Americans in theater, I resorted back to creating my own opportunities by writing and producing my work. I’m not going to continue knocking on that old door that doesn’t open for me. I’m going to create my own door and walk through that.” I then established my production company King Productions where I have now written, directed, produced, and sometimes acted in over 25 of my plays. Even in my early career, my goal was always to help and move people through my writing. Robert now resides in Atlanta, Georgia the heartbeat of the film and theater industry where he is working diligently to climb to the next tier in his acting, writing, and producing career.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This industry can be tedious at times. You ask yourself after you’ve decided to put your rent money, your car note money and your electric money behind your craft that you’re not even sure will sell. In this industry, you have to have faith in God because in my early career I’ve experienced times where the money that I spent I didn’t even see a return on. While looking at the tow truck pull my car away or reading that eviction letter on my door something whispers in your ear, “Don’t quit, keep going.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I would say it’s my eclectic style of writing. In 2016 when I wrote my play “For The Love of Mahalia” a lot of my actor and writer friends told me that I was onto something, and I had found my niche. For years I was writing what I thought people wanted to see. Like plays with dramatic, over-the-top storylines with a lot of singing. Then I guess one day something clicked and I wrote about our history. I took a page from Angela Bassett’s directorial debut in the Lifetime Whitney film. I will never forget in an interview she told Entertainment Tonight, “This may not be the Whitney Houston that you all remember but this story is how I saw her through my eyes.” At that moment I knew if I can take historical facts and figures and mix them in with fictional characters to surround the non-fiction I might be onto something. From there, I went on to write powerful pieces like “The Voices of Donny Hathaway” and “Moan Them Blues”. All plays tell and educate about our history but are set to the tone of a “What if this happened” type of scenario. For example, the play that we are touring with now is ” The Voices of Donny Hathaway”. We’ve had numerous successful runs in Texas theatres as well as St. James Live and Encore Film and Music Stages here in Atlanta, GA, and on Labor Day Weekend we will be performing it at Marietta’s New Theater in the Square in Marietta, Georgia.
Synopsis:
The play features the dynamic and timeless music of Donny Hathaway, a gifted musician of the 70s whose life ended tragically at the age of 35. King, the playwright and actor, stars in the title role of Donny Hathaway, and Pamela Miller, the director, co-stars as Pamela Robinson. In the show, Pamela asks Donny what songs he would perform if he knew that he had one last time to perform. Together, they take us on a soulful journey through music and time as we relive January 13, 1979, at the Essex House Hotel in New York City
“The Voices of Donny Hathaway” September 2nd-4th at Marietta’s NEW Theatre in the Square
11 Whitlock Ave NW, Marietta, GA 30064 available online at www.robertkingjr.com
What were you like growing up?
I was like most musical theater kids. Awkward and wanting to make everything in life a Broadway musical. At the age of 34, I’m probably still one of the worst people to this day to travel on a road trip with. You will more than likely be riding with me belting tunes to a Broadway Soundtrack. Superbowl Sunday in my house for me is watching the Tony Awards!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.robertkingjr.com
- Instagram: Iamrobertkingjr
- Facebook: Robert King Jr.
Image Credits
Jessica “JaiKal” Photography
