Robert W. Schneider is one of the foremost educators and lecturers in the world of theatre having given countless presentations at Yale, Fordham, The Institute of the American Musicals, and at various engagements throughout the United States and the UK.
He is currently on the faculty of both Penn State University and the Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre at New York Film Academy. Robert is a graduate of Penn State University (MFA) and a member of The Society of Directors and Choreographers.
Rob is one of the iconic New York Cabaret venue Feinstein’s/54 Below, original programming producers. He is the Artistic Director of the J2 Spotlight Musical Theatre Company, and a freelance director. He has worked with such artists as Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, as well as such institutions as Lincoln Center, Second Stage, The York Theatre, PBS, Walnut Street Theatre, and Center Theatre Group.
As a director, Rob has focused mainly on revivals and regional premieres: which have included Memphis, Rock of Ages, Hairspray, How to Succeed…., Bye Bye Birdie, Company, Merrily We Roll Along, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and City of Angels.
For J2 Spotlight Musical Theatre Company he has directed productions of Smile, Zorba, Drat! The Cat!, Do Re Mi, Lucky Stiff, Seesaw and No Strings. The Company presents professional revivals of worthy Broadway musicals; in doing so it provides an opportunity for patrons to re-visit these shows and, in some cases, experience them for the first time.
As a producer at 54 Below Rob has worked on over 80 concerts, many in the MAC-Award winning 54 Sings Series….where he directed concerts of We Will Rock You (NY Premiere), Memphis (OBC Reunion) and Curtains (OBC Reunion) among many more.
He is also the Producer/Host of several podcast series which celebrate and investigate the Broadway musical and their practitioners; all essential listening for fans of the shows and the people.
The podcasts include Behind the Curtain: Broadways Living Legends, Broadway Bound: The Musicals That Never Came To Broadway and Fifty Key Stage Musicals.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).