Hello Beautiful People,
Rob Rokicki is a gem of a man, and he also happens to be an actor, songwriter, and music director. He is proud graduate of the University of Michigan and is a member of the Dramatists Guild, Actor’s Equity, and an alumnus of the Tony award winning BMI Musical Theatre Workshop. Rob was kind enough to join me at Schmackary’s after a busy day of rehearsals and work, and talk about music, books, arts education, and, of course, musical theater.
Ladies and Gents, meet Rob Rokicki…
MM: Did you always want to be involved in the theater industry?
RR: Yes, ever since I was a kid. I did a lot of shows when I was younger, and I was writing songs and performing since I was very young. My dad isn’t a pianist by trade, but he’s a very good classical pianist, (and my mom sings) so there was always music in the house. And then I took singing lessons, and then I was in a show called Going Buggy– I was the evil corporate suit who was trying to sue the bugs, because the bugs wanted equal rights. All the cool kids were in it, and I had secured a part in it at the age five or six. It was a big moment for me.
MM: Do you remember the first show you ever wrote?
RR: I gave it to my dad, and said what is this? And he said, “it’s mass confusion.” And so I thought perfect – that’s the title. And it so was Mass Confusion. It took place at a miniature golf course – there were aliens and Vikings and Care Bears and people everywhere. There was a character, Steve, and a song entitled, “Steve Had a Spastic Colon.” It was madness, but I was also in middle school.
MM: What books are permanently on your bookshelf?
RR: I’m a huge reader – in college, I had a dual major in English (with an emphasis on Victorian Literature) and musical theater, so there are quite a bit of books on my bookshelf. There are a lot of musical theater books and every Chuck Palahniuk novel. My twin sister is also in publishing so I get a lot of advanced copies of things. Robert Heinlein short stories – I do enjoy science fiction. Then there’s Middlemarch…The French Lieutenant’s Woman is one of my favorite books as well.
MM: If you were stranded on a desert island, what movies would you want to have with you?
RR: Nightmare Before Christmas, The City of Lost Children, some sort of Muppet movie, maybe Muppets Take Manhattan, and The Goonies. As far as television shows go, I’d have to say LOST. I’ve written a few songs inspired by that show – it was great. I love Breaking Bad, I’m a big Game of Thrones junkie, and yes, I did read all the books as well. I’m always a sucker for the Simpsons. And I watch Jeopardy; I’m a trivia junkie.
MM: What advice would you give to students who want a professional career in writing, music, and theater?
RR: I would say, know your own voice, you have to stand up on your own. Focus just on doing the work and serving the story. There are so many factors that are outside of your control, so you should be as prepared as possible. Whether that means learning a million instruments as a music director, or a million instruments as an actor –taking class, traveling, reading you should be as well rounded as you possibly can. You shouldn’t be in this to make a lot of money or famous, focus on the storytelling and the art. Support yourself with a network of friends who understand the big picture.
MM: Joe Iconis & Family is a group of people who are unbelievably talented artists, and strength of the friendships between the family members is evident to anyone who sees a show and meets you all. In an industry that can be so petty, how do you think you’ve managed to preserve this genuine support and love for one another?
RR: Because you have a patriarch like Joe. It is a family. And everyone finds his or her niche in this family. When Joe first asked me to music direct his show, I was taken aback. I wasn’t sure what to expect. But then I fell in love with the show, and he was asking for my input, and I just wanted to make it as good as we possibly could. It was called ReWrite and we worked for it for about three weeks at Goodspeed, working, but I was working with a new artist and a kindred spirit and a new friend. I’d do anything for that man – I’d play the glockenspiel on the side of the stage. I’d do whatever he needs. He’s got a great vision, he tells a great story, and is so supportive of his friends. He inspires people to be better writers, and just to work harder. That’s the essence of Joe, and the heart of Joe Iconis & Family.
MM: Do you have a favorite character that you’ve created?
RR: My writing partner and I (Michael Ruby) wrote this show called Strange Tails, which are three mini true stories about animals. Patches is a dog who bit off her master’s toe, and the scene and music that goes with her is just so much fun to write for. Another character that is fun to write for is this angry, lesbian; sardonic teenager named Reagan in this show I wrote (also with Mike) called Relativity.
MM: In today’s economy, arts programs are being cut. What reasons would you give a politician for preserving the arts?
RR: I work at a company called itheatrics, and they do incredible stuff with folks like the Department of Education and are constantly reaching out to communities and opening people’s eyes to how important the theater is education and communities. The skills that you learn are all things that can be used in other facets in life. It’s collaborative – you have to work with everyone. You have to know how to talk to people. These are skills that you need in every aspect of your life, regardless of your profession. John F. Kennedy once said, “I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” Art is what contributes to the human spirit.
MM: What sound do you love, and what sound do you hate?
RR: I love the sound of my cat purring. I hate the sound of children screaming.
MM: What musical theater character are you least like? Most like?
RR: I relate a lot to the writer (Jon) from Tick-Tick Boom. I also relate to Bobby from Company a lot. I’ve always wanted to play Billy Bigelow, but I’m nothing like him.
MM: What’s next for Rob Rokicki?
RR: My concert, this Thursday at The Cutting Room in New York City. I’m going to do a ton of new stuff. Some new tunes I’m excited about are from Monstersongs –which is this concept album/graphic novel/rock show — all from different monsters points of view (it will have it’s own show in October). I’m also working with an awesome playwright named Joe Tracz on adapting the first book in the Percy Jackson series, The Lightning Thief, for Theatreworks USA.
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
RR: I’ve had music teachers growing up that were great. In elementary school, Karen Zayas – she let me play all the instruments, and that was fun. I went to Interlochen Summer Arts Camp – it was a performing arts camp in northern Michigan and that was my first taste of having teachers who were also professionals in the biz (my only claim to fame at camp was getting the part of Sweeney Todd over Josh Groban –but he’s doing ok for himself.) I also had a wonderful choir teacher in high school, Nick Salmans, who always pushed us to be better. When I was at the University of Michigan, one of my absolute favorite teachers was Gary Bird, who has since passed away. He taught me how to get out of your head, and try different things. There was no technique that was right for each song; he just wanted us to try everything. And so, he taught us the importance of connecting with the song and the story – once you do that, then the audience is with you and nothing else matters.
Thanks, Rob!
Live, Love, Learn,
Megan &