Dear Editor,
Ron Robinson was one of a handful of thespians who remained in Guyana and nurtured generations of artists, guiding thespians as far as Gen Z. His life was undeniably impactful within the theatre fraternity. The first time I saw a play directed by Ron was Frank Pilgrim’s Miriamy at the Theatre Guild in 2015, and to this day it remains one of my favourite plays I have ever witnessed on stage. It was a masterclass in acting and directing, shepherded by his creative vision. He is a shoulder that every creative person in theatre and film stands on, whether they personally experienced his mentorship or not.
Ron and I never worked together, apart from him expressing admiration for my work and that remains one of the highlights of my directing career in theatre. He was one of the few senior figures in the arts who genuinely wanted younger creatives to succeed and his love for the arts has touched multiple generations. While I may not have worked with Ron in a personal capacity, I have worked with many who have and they carry his creative spirit. No doubt, some of that spirit has transferred into my own work. Without Ron’s expertise and guidance, theatre in Guyana would not have produced the many excellent actors and directors it has today.
His legacy will continue to live on and I am grateful for the impact he has made on the creative scene. I am a beneficiary of his work, as are many of my colleagues. It is a life worthy of celebration, and with his passing, we have lost a generational talent.