A Recollection of Darryl Maximilian Robinson In His Awards Room!

DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON IN HIS AWARDS ROOM!:

Yes, it is a bit theatrical and a bit tongue-in-cheek but that's entirely the point. Veteran and award-winning stage actor and play director Darryl Maximilian Robinson ( The Founder of the multiracial chamber theatre The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago and The ESC Los Angeles Archival Project ) shares some of his most favorite things from one of his most special places.

Videotaped and photographed by highly-talented and skilled visual artist J. L. Watt at his West Los Angeles Studio on April 16 2017, Mr. Darryl Maximilian Robinson, whose first professional theatre awards honor was the 1981 Fort Wayne News-Sentinel Reviewer's Recognition Award as Oustanding Thespian of the Season for his performances in professional summer stock at The Enchanted Hills Playhouse of Syracuse, Indiana ( particularly for his portrayal of Fagin in Lionel Bart's "Oliver!" ), and who more recently received a 2019 BroadwayWorld Chicago Award nomination for Best Performer In A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity ) for his starring roles as The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright and The Mayor Thomas Sapsea in The Saint Sebastian Players of Chicago Oct. 26th through Nov. 18th of 2018 revival of Rupert Holmes' marvelous Tony Award-winning Musical Whodunit "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" ( based on the final and unfinished novel by Charles Dickens which was staged at the more than a century old St. Bonaventure Church in The Windy City ), a 2022 Making The World Happening Award for his numerous online theatre-related offerings at Allevents.in during the early years of The Covid-19 pandemic, and a 2024 Broadwayworld Los Angeles Award nomination for Best Supporting Performer In A Play for his portrayal of Chicago Tribune Newspaper Reporter Roy V. Bensinger In The Culver City Public Theatre revival production of Ben Hecht's and Charles MacArthur's "The Front Page presented outdoors at Carlson Memorial Park" in Culver City, California, presents this tongue-in-cheek lighthearted message regarding his work in The Theatre and advice for local Chicago and L A thespians alike.

Darryl Maximilian Robinson has become noted as the very first black actor in American Theatre History to portray on stage a trio of classic dramatic roles including: Sir Thomas More in Robert Bolt's "A Man For All Seasons" ( in a 1984 revival presented by The University Players of The University of Missouri-St. Louis and directed by AEA Member John Grassilli at The Benton Hall Theater ); King Henry II in a 1992 multiracial cast revival of James Goldman's "The Lion In Winter ( directed by Mr. Robinson for his chamber theatre Excaliber Productions, Ltd in St. Louis and staged at The Wabash Triangle Cafe ); and Andrew Wyke ( opposite the talented actor Sean Nix as Milo Tindle ) in a 2000, 30th Anniversary, all-black cast revival of Anthony Shaffer's "Sleuth" presented under Mr. Robinson's direction by his chamber theatre The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago at The Harrison Street Galleries Studio Theatre of Oak Park, Illinois. Most recently, in December of 2023, Darryl Maximilian Robinson celebrated his 50th Anniversary as an American Stage Performer.

"Darryl Maximilian Robinson In His Awards Room" is a theatrical tribute to his decades-long career in the performing arts. In the video “Darryl Maximilian Robinson In His Awards Room!, Take Two”, Robinson—founder of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago—takes viewers on a personal tour of his cherished accolades and memorabilia.

Highlights from the Awards Room:

A 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award for Outstanding Actor in a Principal Role In A Play for his performance as Sam Semela in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "Master Harold And the Boys"—his most treasured honor.

A 1997 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award nomination for Best Leading Actor In A Play for his performance as Sam Semela in The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "Master Harold And The Boys."

A 1998 WKKC Radio Chicago Critics Corner Fine Arts Award for Best Director of A Play for The 1997 Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting For Godot."

A 1999 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award nomination for Best Direction of An Ensemble for The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival production of Athol Fugard's "The Blood Knot."

A 2001 Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award nomination for Best Direction of A Theatrical Production for The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago revival staging of Le Roi Jones's "The Dutchman."

A 2015 /2016 Los Angeles ELATE Season Ticket Holder Award Nomination for Best Actor for his performance as the debonair, but aging leading man Ernest in Tad Mosel's classic one-act of Life In The Theatre "Impromptu."

And...A Special Mention of The 1987 Program of his original one-man show Shakespeare and Time Travel, "A Bit of the Bard."

Theatrical Flair and Personal Reflection:

The video is both tongue-in-cheek and heartfelt. Darryl Maximilian Robinson shares how the room offers solace amid the challenges of the theater world, and he closes with a motivational message encouraging artists to persevere and stay dedicated to their craft.

You can also explore more about this space on Theatre Wiki, which details the inspiration behind the room and its connection to Robinson’s visit to Frank Sinatra Hall at USC.

This 2017 theatre-related video shot by longtime Excaliber Member J. L. Watt is presented as part of the origins of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project.