1980 Alumnus Bob McGrath Returns
article by Toussaint McClellan

Directing trailblazer Bob McGrath stepped off his maverick course to spread words of wisdom to current students in the School of Drama. The multiple OBIE award winner has made his name through unconventional performances of music theatre. Likewise, McGrath’s conservatory hour discussion illustrated the endless possibilities made available by an education in drama mixed with a passion for the work, and curiosity about other theatre forms.

For those who do not know McGrath’s oeuvre, he is best known for his dazzling projection work accompanied by musical performance. After graduation he moved to New York City as a self described “freaky punk rocker” doing what he liked. The beginning was humble - making theatre in Lower East Side nightclubs consisting mostly of text animated by projections between sets of rock bands. Over time the work changed as McGrath moved back into more conventional theatre spaces with projections behind what he describes as “music driven opera.”

As artistic director of Ridge Theatre, McGrath’s projections are commissioned by Brooklyn Academy of Music and important European Festivals. What started out small ended up growing to create award winning productions in the Ridge Theatre and BAM, among other esteemed locations. The path was not always easy, which brings us to the crux of McGrath’s talk - persistence. His key advice for those embarking on a career in drama is that initiative and tenacity are the keys to success. “Just keep getting gigs, keep working, keep doing shows, whatever it takes!”

The importance of engagement is critical because McGrath warns that one never knows where opportunity is going to strike. “Some of the stuff that turned out best I was forced to - ‘I’ll do it’. Some of the stuff I was high-fiving about tanked. So you never know how things are going to turn out.”

The main example of his work the Carnegie Mellon alumnus shared with students was ‘Harry Partch’s Oedipus’. The amazing presentation of Sophocles’ grand work was performed at The Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University in New Jersey. The production featured an orchestra playing in the 43 note scale designed by Harry Partch. Accompanying the music was a depiction of the Oedipus play on stage through a portrayed Oedipus telling his story to Sigmund Freud. Projections accompanied the performance to depict the outstanding images of the story.

The startling production also helps to further establish McGrath’s point about persistence. The Oedipus idea had been on McGrath’s shelf for nearly 20 years before he found the right venue and support for it to blossom. “When plans get screwed up stick with it, it will come around again.” Taking the point one step further, McGrath went on to say “they say life is short, it isn’t, its’ long!”

Another piece of work presented to students is a piece called ‘Shelter’ that ran at Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Harvey Theatre. The ‘Shelter’ piece explores the varied concept of the word shelter, through projected film footage from different eras accompanied by music. This project, like all of McGrath’s work, was a collaborative effort. Quality collaboration is another one McGrath’s keys to a successful career. “It’s about being really talented, trusting the people you work with, and knowing when to but in and when to butt out.”

McGrath also advised students to make different choices within their work, “Think of your first twenty ideas, than throw them out, because your next twenty are probable better.”