Day in the life: Debbie Robinson

Debbie Robinson knows a thing or two about stage fright—the 20-year veteran of local community theatre faces it every time she sings or acts in a new production. But Robinson also knows that as the show goes on, the teamwork and preparation kick in and the stage fright fades. And she applies the same strategy to the changing nature of her job as a program assistant in the School of Child and Youth Care.

When the mother of three returned to the work force at the University of Victoria in 1994, she used a typewriter, classes were in buildings and she had limited computer skills.

Now, Robinson’s job is dramatically different. Robinson calls herself a “modern secretary,” building sites for online classrooms, updating them continuously and facing new technological challenges on a regular basis.

“The learning curve was very steep—like this,” Robinson says, putting her arm straight up in the air.

When it seems overwhelming, Robinson breaks the program down just as she’s done for the dozen plays she’s performed in.
“I might have choreography, music and lines to learn. As a whole, it can feel overwhelming, so I break it down into smaller pieces and then put it back together again,” Robinson says.

“When we’re going through a time of change in the office, I tap into that same process.”

Robinson loves the sense of teamwork in a production, and in her work. The three other program assistants in the office are good friends. They’re also among her biggest fans.

Caroline Green sits in the cubicle next to Robinson in their ground floor sunny office, and can reel off her friend’s roles faster than Robinson can herself.

Robinson’s stage career developed alongside her UVic one. While she’d always wanted to be on stage and took singing lessons while her children were young, shyness kept her from pursuing it. But in 1991, a friend who happened to be responsible for the choreography in “Jesus Christ Superstar” with the Victoria Operatic Society heard her singing karaoke at a party and urged her to try out.

Robinson was put in the chorus and loved it. Next came “Kiss Me, Kate,” where Robinson hoped for another chorus role. She got the lead.

Since, she has been in dramatic and musical roles, including “Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Company,” “Blood Brothers,” “The Cemetery Club,” “The Sound of Music” and “Isn’t It Romantic.” Some were with the Victoria Operatic Society, others with Langham Court Theatre. Most recently, she was part of a musical revue performing at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s first dinner theatre at its David Foster Foundation Theatre, belting out the Broadway show tunes she loves.

Her acting has earned accolades, with Times Colonist reviewer Adrian Chamberlain, singling her out for “fine acting that especially stood out in a community theatre production.”

Next up? Possibly “Calendar Girls,” although the 59-year-old former aerobics instructor says she’s a bit leery of baring if not all, at least some, on stage.

“Do it!” cheers her friend Caroline over the cubicle.