Wendy Raquel Robinson:
Igniting Dreams and Changing Lives
By: Wendy M. Reynolds
Wendy Raquel Robinson is best known for her dramatic roles in films and television, including Two Can Play That Game, The Steve Harvey Show, and The Game. She is a phenomenal actress, dancer, and choreographer. A Cum Laude graduate of Howard University, Wendy is an expert in her craft. She is rooted in faith and overflows with passion… all that, and she has a cool name to.
Our interview was filled with laugher, wit, and words of wisdom. It leaves no question as to why Wendy shines on and off the screen.
Wendy has a long list of credits in film, TV, and stage performances. She has numerous award nominations. However, what is most impressive and inspiring is Wendy’s determination to live her dreams as well as her desire, passion, and call to help youth recognize, pursue, and achieve the dreams of their heart.
Wendy’s belief in the beauty of her dreams has positioned her center stage in a world that is need of hope and inspiration. A little girl with a dream, from South Central LA, has grown up to ignite the dreams and passions of others. She is igniting and sending out blazes all across the world and changing lives in the process. Please allow me to present Wendy Raquel Robinson.
Wendy M. Reynolds: Good afternoon Mrs. Robinson. Thank you for taking out the time to speak with me and share with Beauty Come Forth.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: My pleasure. It’s great to be spoken to!
Wendy M. Reynolds: Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: I was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. I’m the baby of three girls. My sisters are still in LA. We are a very close family. I have great parents. Actually, my parents just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary! My husband and I have a long way to go. We’ve been married seven years and we are on our way.
Wendy M. Reynolds: Wow that is awesome. Congratulations to your parents! Where did you go to school?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: I went from Washington high school and then went on to Howard University, where I majored in Drama. I spent a lot of my growing up in DC. After graduating from Howard, I went back to Los Angeles in order to pursue my career in acting.
Wendy M. Reynolds: Did you enjoy Howard University?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: I loved it. It was the mecca of Black education and so much more. I am blessed to have developed so many formative relationships that are still a part of my life now, 25 years later. Some of the best relationships I have in my life right now are from Howard University.
Wendy M. Reynolds: What inspired you to go into drama?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: I guess I was always a dramatic child. I started as a dancer, so I was always in classes and doing plays primarily just for fun. After I graduated from Washington high, there was nothing else that I really wanted to do other than act, dance, and do the arts. My mother said, “If you’re going to do this, then do it all the way and be an expert at it.” A recruiter came from Howard and I found out that Debbie Allen actually graduated from Howard University. She had always inspired me to do so much and I’ve always admired her career. She became a huge mentor to me, even to this day. I decided to go to Howard. I found that the best training, the best instruction, and best opportunities were there for me at that time. Even to this day, I am still a strong advocate for Howard University.
Wendy M. Reynolds: How did you obtain your first major acting job?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: It was hard. Howard pumped your head up so big. They were like “Ok, go on out there! The world is yours! Own it!” However, I came back to Los Angeles and couldn’t get an agent. I couldn’t get a job. I couldn’t get anyone to return a phone call, let alone represent me. What ended up happening was I went on the road with a little show called “Beauty Shop,” I was always a theater person. I’m still a theater baby. Beauty Shop ran for four years so I was on the road for that time. I saved up all my money. It gave me the luxury of not having to audition and feel desperate. I was able to save my money and really seek out an agent. I didn’t want to ever be in the position of being desperate for an audition. I didn’t want to be in a position of having to auditioning to pay the rent. Once I had a nice little nest egg, I was ready to go back to LA and tackle it all over again. I met a friend on the road who introduced me to an agent and actually that agent and I ended up working together for the last 15 years.
Wendy M. Reynolds: Out of all the roles you’ve played, do you have a favorite or does one stick out more than the other?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: I really love this character that I’m doing now- Tasha Mack, from “The Game.” She is one of the most freeing characters that I have ever been able to play. She is a character who speaks her mind unashamedly and unapologetically. I feel like she is that alter ego. If in a free and perfect world, I could be as freely and fully expressed as I wanted to be, this is who I would be. She is a round-the-way kind of girl, who is a single parent. She has raised her son to the best of her ability. He is now a star quarterback and she is very much a part of his life- sometimes too much a part of his life because he is a grown man now and he is trying to shake her. She is trying to find her own identity outside of being the mom and the manager because now he doesn’t need her as much. What happens when you have cultivated a life and cultivated a career around someone else and you don’t really have your own? I love her because she is brassy. She is funny. She is craft. She is so free and unpredictable. I never had a character that was just like wow. The funny thing is now the fan of the show think that they are my best friends and that they know me. When they see me, they scream, “Heyyyyyyyy!” You know, all loud and funny.
Wendy M. Reynolds: So are there similarities between you and Tasha?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: Tasha is like the opposite of me. Oh, I wish I could say what I want to say, it would be a good time- a real good time!!
Wendy M. Reynolds: You might not have as many friends, but alright!
Wendy Raquel Robinson: Exactly, but hey that’s ok. But I love that character. BET has picked the show up and we’ll be shooting two episodes a week. So stay tuned! It’s going to be great!
Wendy M. Reynolds: You’re going to be busy! Will you be doing other projects soon?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: Yes, I will be busy. Between the show, the conservatory, my family, all the kids at the school, and the three dogs, that’s enough right now. I think I’m good right now!
Wendy M. Reynolds: Through everything that you have going on, including all the work and the fame that comes with it, what keeps you grounded?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: My family. I have the most down to earth family. Plus I’ve been really blessed to have God in my life. You know when you have a really good family and you spend quality time with your family all the time, there’s no need to get out of control. In addition, when you work with children, they will keep you in check and let you know what’s really going on- what’s right and what’s not. So, I have a lot of things to keep me grounded. Yea, so if you ever see me falling off, know that it won’t be for a long time. No. It won’t be for long.
Wendy M. Reynolds: It sounds as if you have a great support system?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: I do and I have really great friends to. You keep family and friends close to your heart and the wicked ways, won’t get in the way. You know what I’m saying- just keep the family and friends close child!
Wendy M. Reynolds: What is your definition of a good friend?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: A good friend is there in your corner on your good days and your bad- a shoulder to cry on, someone to laugh with- someone there to give you good solid advice or someone to just listen. My husband Marco is my best friend now. He and I have our hard knocks but he is there for me and has my back regardless. You know it’s not about Wendy Raquel Robinson, the actress. It’s about Wendy, his wife- the love of his life. In spite of any painful times, he is my partner in this. We try and climb together on this little mountain.
Wendy M. Reynolds: He sounds like a great guy!
Wendy Raquel Robinson: Oh, he is a great guy! He really is. He is a hard worker to.
Wendy M. Reynolds: It sounds like you have had an interesting journey.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: It has been an interesting journey Wendy. I’m very proud of it. I’ve been blessed to have worked consistently. I mean there have been some loop holes. There have been some quiet times but I’ve also been able to keep myself busy through the quiet times. One thing about having a degree and being an expert in the field is that it enables you to teach. Therefore, when things were quiet years ago, I started teaching at Marla Gibbs performing arts school. From there I met my best friend. Once Marla Gibbs school closed, he and I became the pied pipers of the community. There were so many kids who wanted to continue training. So unbeknownst to us we opened up a performing arts school of our own. Fourteen years later, it has grown to become a major, major, major passion in my life. Next to God and my family, there is Amazing Grace Conservatory.
Wendy M. Reynolds: Tell us about Amazing Grace Conservatory.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: Amazing Grace is a performing arts school for youth and young adults ages 5-18. It’s a year round organization. We reach our capacity at about 90 students. We offer instruction in acting, voice, and dance. More than that, we give students a platform to freely express themselves in a non judgmental environment.
Wendy M. Reynolds: What is the mission?
Wendy Raquel Robinson: Our mission is simply to touch as many youth as we can possibly touch through the arts and create better human beings. We have young people that come to us from every walk of life- every socioeconomic capacity. We reach them where they are and we take them to the next level. If they want to be doctors, lawyers, actors, or authors, we just reach them and really empower them through the arts by building their self esteem through self expression.
Wendy M. Reynolds: It sounds like an awesome program and outreach.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: We do more than just performing arts. It has really turned into a ministry. The children have found a second home. They feel comfortable. Our alumni even come back via teaching, lecturing, sharing ideas, or still seeking advice in a crazy business. It’s a family. We’ve been through life together- marriages, births, divorces, careers, life... It has been a blessing to me to be a part of so many young people’s lives. We’ve probably seen about 4000 students come through the Conservatory since our tenure here in Los Angeles. We do three productions a year. We are a year round organization. We just did an original production last month and now we are gearing up for our fall Conservatory that begins in September 18th.
Wendy M. Reynolds: Wow, what a wonder experience, opportunity, and haven for youth.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: You know it really is because I know how the arts helped to save my life. I needed an outlet. I was one of the children who could have gone in many different directions. If it were not for the grace of God, there is no telling what I could have become growing up in South Central LA- being exposed to the elements. Because of my mom, dad, sisters as well as the arts, I believe I obtained a wonderful outlook on life and developed the ability to dream. You know so many times we get caught up in everyday life and we forget to dream. That’s one of the blessing I have with the kids. They keep you young and energized because the sky is the limit with them. They haven’t been tainted with bills, mortgages, and relationship issues. I love working with the babies. It’s the most cleansing, freeing, and most pure and authentic place you can be. I think it has been more of a blessing in my life than it has for them.
Wendy M. Reynolds: I get the importance of having a dream. I worked with families in crisis for quite a long time. One of the major issues or obstacles that I observed with these families was the fact that most didn’t have a dream anymore. Life either had beaten it out of them or had gotten to them before they had the opportunity to recognize their ability to dream. Organizations like yours are so important. Is it non-profit? Do you accept donations? How can we help!
Wendy Raquel Robinson: Oh, yes. We are a non-profit organization and we rely on the kindness of stranger… so please, please, please… our website is http://amazinggraceconservatory.com. I know it’s a long name, but it’s worth it. We are located at 2401 West Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018. All donations are tax deductable and we will gladly accept them!
Wendy M. Reynolds: Wendy, before we end, I just have a couple more questions. The first is what does beauty mean to you? You know I had to throw that in since we are “Beauty Come Forth.”
Wendy Raquel Robinson: Wow. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I live hillside and when I awaken, the view is stunning and beautiful. I see the mountain on one side and the city skyline one the other. I see beauty as waking up in my right mind, feeling refreshed, and getting ready to face a new day. I find beauty in that. I find beauty in the smiles, the personalities, and hearts of people- in who they really, really are- really in their hearts. I’ve been in relationships with men and was like, “You’re not the most handsome guy but…” This was before I got married now… “But you sure are fine because you treat me so good (cracking up laughing).” Beauty is in how you treat others. It’s a beautiful thing when you have someone who knows how to treat you and you treat others with dignity, respect, kindness, and love. So, I find beauty in that. It’s simply in the heart. It’s really a heart thing. That’s what beauty is to me. So, Beauty Come Forth! Let it just come together and it’ll be a beautiful world!
(At this point, Mrs. Robinson spontaneously breaks into song: “I see skies of blue…red roses to…and I think to myself what a “Beautiful” world!).
Wendy Raquel Robinson: I love that song. I really love that song.
Wendy M. Reynolds: Wendy, you are hilarious. Oh my gosh, I wish our readers could hear the audio.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: What? You’re laughing at me. I do love that song. I have the kids sing that song in every show. We fit it in somewhere.
Wendy M. Reynolds: That’s good. We need to teach the youth to see beauty in spite of being inundated with the negativity and hopelessness being expressed so much in the world around us.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: Exactly! Beauty is everywhere. We just have to see it! Beauty is in the laughter of a child. To see a child laughing and having a good time…wow, that is so freeing to me. Call me corny, but that’s my beauty.
Wendy M. Reynolds: I don’t call you corny. That’s what the world need. I don’t call it corny at all. I call it amazing.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: Oh yeah, there you go, Amazing Grace.
Wendy M. Reynolds: In closing Wendy, do you have any words of wisdom that you would like to impart into our readers.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: You have to keep your dream alive. Whatever you want to do, you have to keep it alive and you have to keep yourself in the company and the environment where you can keep it alive. If you want to act, then go to a theater, be in a play, usher at theater- but stay in that environment. Stay in that world and in that mindset. That’s where things will start connecting. You may never know where your connections will come from. You just have to stay where your passion can stay alive- where your dream can stay alive and be ignited by like mindedness. If you don’t, you risk veering off on to another path that not yours. You’ll wake up 20 years later and be in a bank when you should have been on stage. Lastly, know that anything is possible. I’m a little girl from South Central Los Angeles who had a dream and by the grace of God and a little bit of talent, I am able to do what I’m doing now. It’s not easy, but it’s wonderful and worth it.
Wendy M. Reynolds: Wendy, thank you so much. This has definitely been a fun interview. I appreciate your time, your humor, and your words of wisdom. I celebrate you and your success, not only on screen but off screen as well. We’re waiting for that new season of “The Game” which will be aired on BET. I know the Beauty Come Forth readers will all support you! After talking to you today, I can’t wait to see the show again and also see what awaits The Amazing Grace Conservatory! Once again thank you for a fabulous interview.
Wendy Raquel Robinson: No, thank you! This has been great! I love Beauty Come Forth Magazine and I am honored to be a part of it and I appreciate Beauty Come Forth’s support!
Wendy M. Reynolds: Once again, here is the contact information for the Amazing Grace Conservatory:
Amazing Grace Conservatory
2401 West Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018.
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