Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Robinson.
Hi Joy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I have lived in Paragould almost all of my life. Due to my family situation, I was raised in a foster home from age 12 until I graduated high school.
During my life, I’ve taken many different career paths but theatre was always a part of my life. Two years ago after the sudden passing of the previous manager, I was given the opportunity to become the full-time manager at the Historic Collins Theatre. It’s almost as if I found my place and purpose after years of it being right in front of me for most of my life.
I’ve always loved performing, so that’s where the Collins Theatre came in. I was told about an audition and at age 15, I was absolutely in love. I’ve performed in many shows since then, and have served on two different theatrical boards of directors. I’ve even sat in the director seat for two plays and now the musical “RENT” which opens in October.
I have a daughter, Catherine. She’s married and studies Animal Science (Pre-vet) at Arkansas State University. She has also performed with me in shows at the Collins since she was very young.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think life is necessarily “smooth” for anyone. Do I think some people have rougher roads than others? Absolutely. While my road may have been longer and harder than some, I take each and every rough spot as an opportunity to grow and evolve as a person.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the manager of a 96-year-old theatre in historic downtown Paragould.
I enjoy getting to meet the people who come to watch the shows at the Collins. I’ve gotten to know a lot of them on a first-name basis. I love social media marketing a theatre this old because I’m able to show the world how amazing our little theatre really is. I think what sets me apart from others is my personal investment and experience with the theatre- from acting to now managing, my heart has a home here.
It is the home to local musical acts and theatrical productions that entertain all ages. The Collins Theatre Foundation, a nonprofit corporation, was created in 1990 to transform the Collins Theatre into a modern community arts center. The Collins Theatre, formerly the Capitol Theater, was constructed in 1925. It has a proud history in the community and provided a wide range of entertainment, from Broadway Shows to Vaudeville performances, to first-rate movies.
The Collins is now being used by the community for a wide range of cultural and general entertainment events – concerts, theatrical productions, pageants, dance recitals, and shows, the home of Ultimate Oldies Show, KASU’s Bluegrass Monday, and the Big Grass Bluegrass Festival.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most is that the Collins Theatre stays around for many more years to come so that others can enjoy and be a part of it. We are very blessed to have this amazing place in our community. The Collins provides a place for folks to enjoy music or be a part of a production.
There’s something for everyone’s hearts at the Collins.
Contact Info:
- Email: collinstheatremanager@gmail.com
- Website: www.collinstheatre.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehistoriccollinstheatre
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoricCollinsTheatre
- Other: www.downtownparagould.com
Image Credits
Anna Mac Photography, Paragould AR
