Gary Edwin Robinson Selected as 2025 Excellence in Theatre Education Award Winner

Gary Edwin Robinson, who goes by Edwin, was 8 years old when he tap-danced his way onto the stage as part of dance teacher Gloria Jackson’s annual recital. The excitement of the show was thrilling for a young boy, and his gaze turned up to the spotlights that illuminated the stage. He stopped, mesmerized, and remained still under the lights. He knew he had found his home, and he’s never looked back.

Robinson, a St. Albans (Queens), New York native, now heads the Theatre Arts Program at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn and passes along his passion for theatre. He is the winner of the 2025 Excellence in Theatre Education Award(opens in new window) (EITEA), presented jointly by Carnegie Mellon University and The Tony Awards. Robinson will receive his award at The Tony Awards on Sunday, June 8, at Radio City Music Hall.   

“I get up and go to work, but it’s theatre to me,” Robinson said. “It’s very special when you see talent in young people, and they go on to colleges and universities to major in theatre arts. I knew from an early age this is what I wanted to do, and I want to help others find their way.”

Perhaps it was destined for Robinson to become involved in the arts. St. Albans was home to many great artists, including James Brown (who danced with the neighborhood children in his backyard), Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne and Brook Benton, to name a few. Robinson’s introduction to jazz came courtesy of Count Basie, who played his music with the windows open during nice weather; Robinson and his sister soaked it in. 

Robinson attended P.S. 147 Elementary School, Intermediate School 59 and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in Queens. He focused his studies on music in middle and high school. He played the flute and was a second baritone in the school’s choir.

Robinson went on to join the Dance Theatre of Harlem chorus, where he found inspiration in his teacher, Arthur Mitchell. He said Mitchell influenced his focus on performance and professionalism. Robinson could have gone in two directions: vocalist/theatre performance or dance. He chose the former, knowing that he wanted “the whole experience of talking, dancing and emoting” through the arts versus being a dancer whose expression was done primarily through bodily movement. 

His journey continued at Howard University, where he earned his bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre education. There, he worked under the tutelage of the late Carol Waters Singleton, who quickly made sure her new student always referred to her as “Dr.” and not “Carol.” She taught him that “you are being trained to train others for careers in the theatre … and all that goes along with that.

“It is a career-centered path,” Robinson said. “I’m here to help my students gain a career.”

One alumnus of Robinson’s can attest to that process. Malcolm Smith was a student at Ronald Edmonds Learning Center in Brooklyn, where Robinson spent 17 years teaching middle school theatre. Smith, who now serves as events manager at The Apollo Theater in Harlem, said it’s an understatement that Robinson made a great impression on him.

“Going to his class was a joy, a highlight,” said Smith, who submitted Robinson’s name for the EITEA this year. “Seeing him work with students now is like stepping back to October 2004 for me. I am incredibly grateful to have been in his class and honored to be part of the community of young artists he continues to foster.”

Robinson does, indeed, foster special relationships with students. Longtime friend Suzanne Chong noted that his dedication to education is exemplary. 

“Edwin Robinson makes sure that the children in his care have the utmost opportunity to grow, to thrive and to be seen,” Chong said. “He introduces his students to experiences that they have not had in their lives; things they did not know were available to them. He is there for the children that need more than theatrical coaching. He does the things that nobody hears about.”

Robinson’s vision for his students also is shared by Kimberly Henry-Rerrie, assistant principal of supervision of the arts at Boys and Girls High School. She hired Robinson 10 years ago and, although she admits she’s more of a “science and math person,” she fully supports arts education.

“I’ve seen how transformative it is for students,” Henry-Rerrie said. “It is incredible to give students opportunities to look beyond the Black Box Theatre here and see themselves in other spaces.” 

The Black Box Theatre is where Robinson feels at home and where he believes he is making a difference. To him, it’s about going to the theatre every day.

“This is where it all happens – in this space,” he said. “This is where careers are started. Where futures are born. When you’re finished with Robinson, you are going on to be the events manager at the Apollo … and whatever else you dream you can be.”