Email: arobinson@broadwayartistsalliance.org
Specialties: College Audition Prep, Monologue Selection/Coaching, Audition Prep, Vocal Coaching, Rep Review
Skype coaching available? Yes

Arbender Robinson is no stranger to the stage. On Broadway he has managed to master the NYC audition process and has had successful runs in the Tony Award winning shows Hairspray, Hair, The Book of Mormon and Disney’s The Lion King. He has also appeared in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and the critically acclaimed revival of Ragtime. Arbender is from Chicago and is a fairly new face in NYC and on Broadway; moving to NYC and quickly landing roles on Broadway.

He made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning production of Hairspray; where he covered the role of Seaweed. In the original cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid he covered the role of Prince Eric. He also served as the Dance Captain and Swing for the Broadway revival of Hair and was seen in the Broadway revival of Ragtime. His Broadway credits continue with Disney’s The Lion King, Broadway’s 6th longest running and all time highest grossing show. Since then he was in the original cast of Beautiful The Carole King Musical and the 2014 revival of Les Miserables as the cover for Marius. He is also the first African American to ever play Marius on Broadway.  Arbender has aso worked with Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchel, Billy Porter Joshua Henry and Brandon Victor Dixon on Shuffle Along, directed By George C. Wolfe and choreographed by Savion Glover.

Prior to moving to NYC, Arbender was a featured Vocalist with Royal Caribbean Cruises as well as an actor and vocalist for numerous Disney productions at Walt Disney World. He spent 4 years as a studio session vocalist for the Disney Organization and can be heard in various parades and attractions worldwide. Arbender also performed extensively in Regional Theater in the US as well as numerous shows abroad including: Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Five Guys Named Moe, Sweeney Todd, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, Ragtime, Secret Garden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Songs for a New World, Parade, Miss Saigon and Into the Woods.

When asked to describe the vocal ability of Arbender, one critic said “clear, effective, killer range of death… and that is a good thing. Look out Billy Porter, Arbender has arrived.”

As a teaching artist, Arbender has worked with many organizations around the country and has a very unique teaching style that’s accessible to all ages and talent levels. He also works significantly at bringing arts awareness to programs all over the country as well as serving as a huge advocate for Autism awareness and research.

Arbender also mentioned a few things to keep his mom happy:

“I am a huge advocate for education, the thirst for knowledge, and believing in the power of your dreams. Dream big because sometimes these things can come true. I studied theater, music, dance, and management at Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. I have lived and or worked professionally in more states than I can ever recall and I now consider NYC and The Great White Way my home.”

Arbender’s Coaching Philosophy

I believe effective coaching takes on two major roles. The first is that of coaching and making material better. Clearing up the choices and the story telling. Taking the skillset to the next level. The next part of coaching is enforcing the craft. Being sure the student understand the WHY behind the choices and in the process they learn how to make choices and how to effectively deliver the choices. I do not want to tell you what to do or how to do your material. I want to empower you to fully understand how to use your skills and choces to achieve the best results.