With a voice that doesn't quit and a stunning beauty, Nicolette Robinson is poised to become Broadway's next big star, even though she hasn't yet made her B'way debut. Robinson, who played Ruth Wilson's bestie Jane on TV's The Affair, is known to audiences for her work off-Broadway in Brooklynite, the concert of Bright Lights, Big City and the powerful, can't-miss new musical Invisible Thread. The California native plays Eden, a young woman in Uganda whose life is altered after meeting New York transplant Griffin. Below, Broadwaybox gets to know Robinson better as she shares how Ragtime inspired her to perform, Sister Act 2 helped her sing and Invisible Thread changed her life.
1. Before friends and family come see Invisible Thread, I tell them:
“Come backstage after!” I try not to say much about the show beforehand. I want them to get the full experience and then I love hearing their thoughts afterwards. This show generates so much love, emotion and conversation so it’s always fun seeing everyone right after they’ve seen the show and taken the journey with us.
2. The most significant thing Matt and Griffin told me that informed my characterization of Eden was:
Matt and Griff gave me the complete freedom to play Eden however my instincts led me. I’ve been a part of this show for almost 6 years now, so over time I’ve grown closer to her and feel like she is an extension of myself. Traveling to Uganda to meet the individuals my character is based on was like the missing piece of the puzzle. I carry pieces of them with me each night.
3. Three things I learned about myself on my trip to Uganda:
. I love to travel. I need to go back to Uganda and I need to see more of the world! I didn’t realize how incredible and necessary it is to experience other parts of the world until I went to Uganda. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about that life-changing trip.
· I have a deep desire to get more involved in humanitarian efforts. It’s been a passion of mine since I was a kid and it brings me so much joy to connect with others. We visited an orphanage that was started by one of the Uganda Project students our show is based on. It was one of the best and one of the hardest days of my life. We got to sing for the children, spend time and connect with them. I feel forever changed after meeting them.
· I am much stronger than I give myself credit for. Traveling across the world will definitely awaken you to that realization!
4. What I love about life backstage at Invisible Thread is:
My cast. We’ve been through so much together. We’ve been working on this show for years and most of us traveled across the world to Uganda together. We lean on one another during the hard times and lift each other up. We laugh so much together... hard! We all share a deep love for this show, for the people whose stories we are telling, and for each other. I love my cast, they’re my family.
5. Voice I idolized growing up:
Lauryn Hill. I learned to sing by sitting on my bed singing the Sister Act 2 soundtrack and Christina Aguilera karaoke cassette tapes.
6. Last TV show I binge-watched:
The Walking Dead. That show gives me so much anxiety! But my hubby loves it and makes me watch it with him. I secretly really love that damn show even though it stresses me out... The writing and the acting is so good!!
7. Moment I knew I wanted to marry my former Once on This Island co-star Leslie Odom, Jr:
Our relationship kind of snuck up on us. We started as friends and once we realized that we wanted to be more than friends, we fell fast and hard. I knew right away that he was the one… 7 years later, I still think it was the best decision I ever made :)
8. A revival I’d love to star in with my Brooklynite & Bright Lights, Big City co-star and pal Matt Doyle:
Ooh… how about The Last Five Years!
9. Performance that made me want to be a performer:
I was nine years old when the first national tour of Ragtime came to the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles. I was moved to tears. I couldn’t get over how spectacular that show was and how passionate and powerful the cast was. I performed the whole show in my living room for weeks after that.
10. One thing I’m really passionate about outside of performing:
My friends. A great night to me is sharing great conversation, a drink, and spending time with my friends. I got really lucky in the “friend-department.” They bring me so much joy. Life can be pretty hectic these days, but my favorite part of the day is sitting on the couch at the end of the night with my hubby, swapping stories and connecting after a long day.
Seriously don't miss Nicolette Robinson and the rest of the incredible 'Invisible Thread' cast at Second Stage Theatre through December 27.
