Robin (Robert H.) Breon, a playwright and humanities journalist for publications together with American Theatre, died on Nov. 23, 2023, after a short sickness on the age of 75. Robin selected to make his dwelling in Toronto and fortunately lived and labored within the metropolis for greater than 4 many years. He was an lively participant in lots of fields with a lifetime of devotion to household, pals, and social justice.
Robin grew up in State School, Pa., a college city, the place he made lifelong pals. Amongst these had been members of the band Robin and the Hoods, which received the 1966 World Rock ‘N’ Roll Champions competitors. It was in State School the place he started his love of drama whereas taking part together with his household in neighborhood theatre.
Following his undergraduate diploma in theatre and communications, a scholarship took him to an MFA program at Stanford College. However he took an alternate journey by becoming a member of Margrit Roma’s New Shakespeare Firm, which performed in parks and prisons in San Francisco. Robin each acted and administered the theatre, organizing a nationwide U.S. tour. Later Robin accomplished a Masters of Schooling from Lehigh College’s Social Restoration Program, after which he taught drama at Abington Pals College in Pennsylvania.
In 1981, Robin returned to reside completely in Toronto after a short keep there within the early Nineteen Seventies. He served as arts critic for Guerilla, town’s “underground” newspaper, and in 1972 turned a founding member of the Toronto Drama Bench, nominated by Globe and Mail critic Herbert Whittaker. For a lot of the Nineteen Eighties, he labored as administrator for Black Theatre Canada with founder Vera Cudjo. As a playwright, he authored The African Roscius (Being the Life and Occasions of Ira Aldridge), produced by Black Theatre Canada on the Alumnae Theatre in 1986.
Later in his profession, Robin served as administrator and internship coordinator for College of Toronto’s Museum Research Program. He additionally taught arts journalism for the U of T’s College of Persevering with Research. Throughout this time, he served proudly as vp of Steelworkers of Canada Native 1998. Most not too long ago, Robin was an govt board member of the Canadian Theatre Critics Affiliation, Toronto Labour Council’s Refugee Help Committee, a veteran for Chilean and South African solidarity, and author for his Aisle Say Toronto web site.
His massive circle of pals spanned the globe, and he’s deeply mourned by them, in addition to by his spouse Joan Simalchik, sister Barbara Anthony, and godsons Camilo Lanfranco-Sagaris and Daniel Lanfranco-Sagaris. He shall be remembered for his generosity, the aromatic supply of morning cappuccinos, his mischievous smile, expert rhetoric, and skill to mix technique with humor.
Donations in his reminiscence could also be made to the Actors Fund of Canada.
“Pursue your drafts and sooner or later you’ll understand your goals.”
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