Robert is a graduate of NIDA’s Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art (Voice Studies) course, holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts and PhD, voice and movement, from the University of Tasmania, BA (Honours) at Monash University, and Secondary Education at RMIT. Robert recently completed a Certification in Integrative Studies at One Voice Centre, New York where he solidified his own approach in integrative practices, and has also trained with Cicely Berry, Frankie Armstrong, Rowena Balos, Mike Alfreds, OzFrank Theatre, as well as Butoh with Yoshito Ohno in Japan.
He has taught theatre, performance and acting at University of Tasmania, Charles Sturt University, Collarts (Australian College of the Arts), California State University, Dwi Emas International School, St Martin’s Youth Theatre and delivered short courses at VCA, NIDA Open Program and NIDA Studio Program. As voice coach Robert has worked in film, television and theatre and directed numerous productions for the stage.
Robert’s research is in the area of actor training, in particular integrative practices and physiovocality. He has published widely on this topic through academic journals and has also published theatre performances and training films through Contemporary Arts Media (Artfilms). He is currently working on a book on voice and movement integration and is working on an Australian Council for the Arts funded project called ‘Safe Spaces, Authentic Voices: An Australian Perspective on Neurodiversity in the Performing Arts’ which highlights the issue of neurodiversity, inclusion and accessibility in the performing arts, in an Australian perspective.
He is the director of the performance group, Persona Collective, in which he directed and adapted productions including Iam Nocte (adapted from Seneca’s Oedipus), Profuge (adapted from Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus) and directed the site-specific performances Two Houses, Savages, Norm and Ahmed, Lines and Boxes and Rabbits. Robert is a founder and convenor of the AusAct: Australian Actor Training Conference, which was established in 2018 at Charles Sturt University. The conference and training event has a rapid national and international following since its inception. As at 2023, the conference has seen over 70 papers, 7 panels, 20 workshops and 4 performances. Academics from Australia and overseas including NIDA, VCA, QUT, WAAPA, Federation University, Manchester University, Toi Whakaari O Aotearoa, and Lasalle College of the Arts, have been involved.
