GET TO KNOW THE ROBE RECIPIENTS

<p>"The Robe ceremony always reminds me that I am not just a part of the show I am currently in, but a part of the Broadway community. I love to think about how many people came before me and opened doors, and how many people will come after me. I am a first generation dark-skinned black woman, and I'm on Broadway. I am indeed my ancestors’ wildest dream."</p>

"It was such an honor to put on that robe. I’ve seen so many castmates in past shows past receive it and to now share the same rite of passage feels incredible. As I was walking to put on the robe my brain filled with countless hours in rehearsal studios and time spent warming up onstage or throughout the theater. Every opening night I’ve ever experienced came rushing back to me. And I was filled with so much gratitude for all the people and events in my life that have created such amazing memories."

“This was truly a high point in my incredibly fortunate and humbling career. I never dreamed about being a ‘star’ on Broadway, but I was determined to be a part of the community, just to make a living as a Broadway performer. This honor is, for me, the symbolic culmination of having done just that, creating and sustaining a career at this level."

“Getting the robe symbolizes to me passion, professionalism, persistence, patience and plenty of physical therapy. Since our body is our ‘instrument’ on stage, it’s not surprising that once I put on that Robe I cried, because it felt like a coat of armor or a protective shield made up of passionate performers before me who have paved the way and who love what they do."

"This tradition is one of the most exciting parts of an opening night. To me, it's a moment for the ensemble to get recognition for the hard work we put into a show. All too often we are overlooked and the tradition of this Robe is a moment that says 'We see you and&nbsp;thank you!"

<p>“I've had the pleasure of working with a handful of past Robe recipients, and they are all shining examples of the generosity and community that is so present among Broadway chorus members. I'm so proud to join this list of performers. It means that all the hard work I've put into my career is being recognized and celebrated by my community – my theatre family.”</p>

“I’m honored to receive the robe once again. I love the history and tradition of the robe and the ceremony. The ceremony is my favorite way to kick off opening night. You feel the excitement and energy from everyone associated with the show. We’ve worked tirelessly to make the show the best it can be and opening night is the reward.”

“Growing up in this wonderful community, I experienced the Gypsy Robe ceremony quite a few times. I have always felt it to be the perfect beginning to the festivities on opening night. It invites both veterans and those who are making their Broadway debut to celebrate the history of this unique tradition. That's one of my favorite things about it. Knowing that I'm amongst such a wonderful group of people and artists who have received the Gypsy Robe is a true honor. I'm in very good company without question. Receiving the Gypsy Robe for 'Carousel' was an amazing feeling. Being able to represent this incredible ensemble is a gift that I will always treasure. Also, receiving the Gypsy Robe from my fellow Newsie, Brendon Stimson was pretty cool too. From one Newsie to another!”

“The Gypsy Robe to me is the highest honor for the Ensemble and symbolizes the hard work and dedication I have had in this field since I started. I have always dreamed of someday wearing the robe and fulfilling that dream with "Mean Girls" makes it even more satisfying. I have poured my whole being into this field, and especially into this show. This cast is my family and couldn't have been more apparent seeing the outpouring of love they showered me with when I was named the Gypsy Robe winner. Typically there isn't a full cast picture with the Gypsy Robe winner but I made sure to have my whole cast be a part of that moment, because we all lift each other up. I could go on and on, but let’s just say an item on my bucket list is checked off and it felt just as satisfying and rewarding as I imagined it would. I love this community, I love this tradition.”

“I love the Gypsy Robe because it’s everything that I love about theatre. It’s fun, celebratory, unifying and just the right amount of silly. On a practical level, it gives a veteran member of the cast an excuse to go from dressing room to dressing room and tell the entire cast to break a leg. For me personally, it was a beautiful experience to look each of my cast members in the eyes and say 'Congrats, we did it!'”

"The first Gypsy Robe ceremony I was able to be a part of was in Oklahoma! at the Gershwin Theatre in 2002. Learning about this amazing tradition and seeing the joy on Harvey Evans's face when he received that robe was very emotional then, and it all came flooding back to me when I was honored with the Robe for Escape to Margaritaville. This unique 'tip of the cap' tradition helps to acknowledge all the hard work that an Ensemble member does within an existing show. And also how hard it is to maintain working, going from show to show and carving out some sort of a career for yourself in this crazy business."

"I am very lucky to have a mother who owns a dance studio. I started tap dancing when I was two years old and never stopped."

“Being a Gypsy robe recipient means, to me, being recognized by a community of actors who celebrate and honor those who remain dedicated to this business. I think of the first time I attended a ceremony and dreaming of being inducted/honored into this ‘club.’ I recall being surprised to receive the robe for 'Once On This Island', as I strongly believed it was going to go to another cast-mate of mine. So I was completely shocked when my name was called and weeping with joy as I circled the group.”

Sure, here's the text: "The Gypsy Robe to me symbolizes longevity and versatility. As ensemble members you are called on to do so many things and to be lucky enough to win the robe means you've lasted, and you are a versatile performer. I felt tremendously humbled to have the robe placed on my shoulders. I've been in the business over 15 years and have been lucky enough to witness six robe ceremonies. There is A LOT of wonderful history wrapped up in that robe, and you feel like you become a small part of that when you wear it."

“The Gypsy Robe, to me, symbolizes a community celebrating all the hard work gypsies do. They are extraordinary people, morphing into all types of characters, doing it all, singing, dancing, acting, bringing shows to life. ‘What [we] did for love.’ Being presented with the robe is so special, especially when you look up to previous recipients so much. To have it be presented to me is sort of unbelievable. I feel like Diana in *A Chorus Line*, thinking ‘I'll never be that old’ ...I'll never be in that many shows to receive the robe. I feel so honored, and feel so much love!”

“The Gypsy Robe is magical! It symbolizes the commitment ensemble members have made to be the backbone of Broadway. To be included in something so deeply rooted in tradition and legacy is the highest honor. And, although it is awarded to one person per show, it represents all of us.”

“*Hello, Dolly!* has been such a special show from top to bottom, so receiving the Gypsy Robe for this production feels like the sparkliest cherry on top of an already perfect Broadway sundae. The Gypsy Robe ceremony is truly my favorite of Broadway traditions. It was a particularly special ceremony because our company has five Gypsy Robe recipients within our cast. It is an honor that will never be lost on me to be among the legacy of performers who don the robe and make those three counter-clockwise circles around the stage. How lucky am I to represent both *Holiday Inn* and *Hello, Dolly!* on this season's robe.”

"The Gypsy Robe ceremony is when the ensemble takes center stage for a few moments. The members of the ensemble are rarely mentioned in reviews and aren't the first people interviewers seek out, but they are a huge part of what makes a big Broadway musical a big Broadway musical. They work really hard, and many have been doing it for a long time. It was such a thrill to hear my name called. I didn't actually know who it was going to be, and I remember thinking that no matter what we had been through during previews (set troubles, an injury), I just wanted everyone to feel the excitement of opening a Broadway show. There is nothing else like it."

"The Gypsy Robe tradition symbolizes two very important ideas for me: the first is that it celebrates the importance and the hard work of the ensemble. Very often the ensemble is not recognized for the day-to-day amazing dancing, singing and acting that they do, without which a show would in no way be complete. The second is that it is a way to appreciate that a particular actor/ensemble player has continued to work and make a living in the business! That is no small feat. So thank you for that recognition. I felt very honored and humbled to be among the extraordinary list of men and women who have gone before me. Many I know, and many, of course, I don't, but we are all part of an incredible family of devoted, hard-working creatives!"

It connects me back through a lineage of Equity Chorus Members stretching back over a half a century. That’s humbling.