Robert is a dedicated arts leader, teacher/coach, and artist with over 25 years of experience instructing in professional and academic environments, creating in the theater and film/TV industries, and leading organizations in planning, developing, and executing strategies to serve diverse communities.
He is passionate about inspiring individuals through the transformative power of storytelling.
Robert identifies as he/him and mixed race (Asian/White).
Robert is a second-generation Chinese-American who grew up in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. His journey has led him through acting, directing, producing, teaching, coaching, and arts administration.
Since 2014, he has served as Executive Director of the award-winning non-profit performing arts organization The Barrow Group (TBG). Under his leadership, TBG has produced over a dozen Off-Broadway productions—three named New York Times Critics’ Picks—and two shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. He has led a 400% expansion of TBG’s diversity scholarship program, overseen a successful $3 million capital campaign, and relocated the company into a new 19,000 square-foot arts center in midtown Manhattan during the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure, TBG’s annual operating budget grew from $450,000 to over $3 million, contributed revenue rose by 833%, and training programs expanded by 930%.
Before joining TBG, Robert served at Shakespeare & Company in Western Massachusetts, where he directed and produced over a dozen Shakespeare productions with its award-winning Education Program, including the nationally recognized Shakespeare in the Courts initiative—recipient of the “Coming Up Taller” award from the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. His professional career began at Lincoln Center Theater, where he worked under the mentorship of Irene Worth and Bernard Gersten as a Broadway Production Assistant.
In addition to his work in the arts, Robert coaches professionals and creatives in communication and public speaking, helping clients share with greater clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
He holds a B.A. in English and Theatre from Vanderbilt University, an M.F.A. in Theatre from Brandeis University, and an M.B.A. in Strategic Management from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business, where he graduated at the top of his class. His leadership training includes programs with NYFA, EMCarts, CORO NY, and LionHeart. A Designated Linklater Voice Teacher, he is also on the faculty at Pace University.
Robert’s proudest accomplishment is his family: Catherine, Lucas, and Lillian.