Written By: Teegan Kurd

One person has been controlling the lights in the PAC and Cohen Center for nearly 20 years. Mr. Robinson, the School’s favorite light designer, is marking an incredible milestone in 2026: two decades at RCDS. 

As an undergraduate student, Mr. Robinson studied graphic design, but the world of lighting design came naturally to him. “It felt very similar to graphic design, and art in general, which is what I did and majored in,” he explained. “[Lighting design] felt like a natural crossover point where theatre and visual arts intersect.”

Over the years, he has designed countless shows at RCDS. No two shows are ever the same—and that is what keeps him inspired. “The fact that every year is a different show makes [each experience] interesting. The challenges are different. The show is not the same every year, and that leads to pursuing different creative ideas,” Mr. Robinson reflected. “I also do a lot of work outside of Rye Country Day, so that makes it interesting as well. Because then, I will work on a show and take those ideas and perspectives back here to attack another show.” The student crew he works with also ensures there is never a dull day in the PAC. He says, “The students make it less repetitive…and fun.”

One may wonder why Mr. Robinson chose to work in an educational community instead of a professional one. “Because they hired me!” he jokes. “I’ll be honest, at the time it was close because I was living in Port Chester.”

Over the years, Mr. Robinson has designed thirty-seven high school productions, not counting the middle school musicals every year or the shows he designs outside of school. He has been nominated for the Metropolitan High School Theater Awards numerous times and has won the Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design for Into the Woods. 

When asked about the most challenging show he has designed, Into the Woods stood out to him. He recalled, “It was one of the hardest because of the number of people on stage. The locations [needed in the show], the fact that we had these large set pieces that we wanted to move, but we couldn’t automate them.”

For Mr. Robinson, his most unforgettable memories aren’t tied to the show, but rather to the people who bring it to life: “The students are what make the show my favorite show. The two most memorable shows were Side Show, because that crew was really great, and The Addams Family, which also had a great group of folks on crew.”

When asked how he manages a workload that would intimidate just about anyone, Mr. Robinson says his key to not being overwhelmed is “don’t take things so seriously. That’s usually it, really, at the end of the day, most things can get resolved in a timely manner.” 

In an interview with Jolie Robinson ‘29, Mr. Robinson’s daughter and current RCDS freshman, Robinson spoke about how dedicated her father is to his craft. “It’s a lot of long days, and going in [to school] over the summer. 
It’s like going to school at 7 and leaving at 6, going to a different theater, and leaving that theater at 10.” Despite the long hours spent in the PAC and other theaters, Robinson has been hugely impacted and inspired by her father’s work. “It’s fun because he introduced me to theater, and now that’s my whole personality!”

Reflecting on his 20 years at RCDS, Mr. Robinson states, “It’s been grounding, if I put one word to it. It’s fun to know that I have a central place home that I can create. It’s fun for me to do work outside of Rye Country Day, but at the same time, I know that I’ll come back, and I have a theatre that I can design in. So it’s been great to see.” Overall, Mr. Robinson is an outstanding member of the RCDS community whose creativity, commitment, and love for theater continue to inspire students and bring the school’s productions to life every year.