Robbie Torres is a NYC based Composer | Performer | Educator. Robbie spent his formative years studying classical music and art in his hometown of Holtsville, New York on Long Island. There, he developed a passion for the arts as an actor/vocalist, concertmaster violinist, painter, and interior designer. Robbie’s playground was the stage, and he found that an inherent understanding & passion for musical theatre writing equally matched his affinity for the spotlight. A self taught pianist, he began penning his first musical at the age of sixteen. Upon graduating Sachem High School East in 2008, Robbie moved to New York City to pursue a degree in Theatre Arts at Marymount Manhattan College. He graduated Cum Laude in 2012 with a B.A. in Theatre Arts and a minor in Musical Theatre and delivered the senior speech to his graduating class at New York City Center, urging them to tackle life with reckless abandon and unwavering determination.
Robbie’s composition credits include two full-scale musicals, Requiem (book by Alex Rubin), and The Spinning Middle (Book, Music, Lyrics), Charles L. Mee’s The Four Seasons (World Premier: Angel Orensanz Center), DAW Showcases 2011 & 2012 (Marymount Manhattan College), Aftermath (National Opera Center America), and Epic Fail (New York Musical Theatre Festival). In addition, his compositions have been performed at The Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center, The York Theater, 54 Below, The Laurie Beechman Theatre, The Triad Theater: Stage 72, Don’t Tell Mama, The Tada Theater, The Lotus Club, The Metropolitan Club, and the D-Lounge at the Daryl Roth Theatre. On February 2, 2015 Robbie performed his debut concert, Bildungsroman: The Music of Robbie Torres to a sold-out audience at the Laurie Beechman Theater. In the fall of 2015, Robbie and Alex Rubin presented Requiem at the D-Lounge (Daryl Roth Theatre) as part of the New York Theatre Barn’s New Works Series (Artistic Director, Joe Barros). Robbie also produced and hosted a weekly musical theatre cabaret called Buck Naked Broadway at the Flatiron Hotel. On November 11, 2016 Robbie made his solo debut to a sold-out audience at the Laurie Beechman Theater in a concert that he wrote, arranged, recorded, directed, and sang in. The concert was titled, (r)EVOLUTION & SYNCHRONI(city) and was received with a standing ovation.
As an actor, Robbie is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association. In 2017, he made his equity debut in the National Tour of The Teacher From The Black Lagoon & Other Stories with Theatreworks USA. Noteworthy regional roles include the Emcee in Cabaret (Smithtown Theater), Henrik in A Little Night Music (The Gallery Players), Matt in The Fantasticks (Smithtown Theater), Saul in RAGS (dir. Barbara Siman-Strouse, Theresa Lang Theater), the title role in Pippin, Woof in HAIR, and Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show (Inn One Theatrics). Additionally, Robbie has performed in multiple readings throughout NYC including Brett Kristofferson’s Closer (The Gallery Players’ Overture Series), Ben Boecker’s Spellbound (TRUF Theater), and The Anthem (WorkShop Theatre Company with dir. Rachel Klein, book by Garey Morganstein, music by Jonnie Rockwell, & lyrics by Erik Ransom).
Robbie currently freelances as a composer, performer, and vocal coach. He is also employed by Unity Stage Company and Serious Fun, Inc, working as a musical director and teaching artist. Formerly, he was the Operations Associate at Rosie’s Theater Kids. Rosie’s Theater Kids (RTKids) is an arts education organization founded by Rosie O’Donnell, dedicated to enriching the lives of children through the arts. There, he worked to serve students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience theater, positively changing the trajectory of their lives by providing comprehensive classes in music, dance and drama; thoughtful mentoring; and structured academic guidance. He is passionate about Rosie's Theater Kids and believes in the importance of cultivating the next generation. He enjoys experiencing all forms of theatre, dance, & art, spending time in nature, traveling, thrifting, crafting, interior design, and helping people struggling with addiction and HIV/AIDS.