Actor, comedian Rob Bartlett visits campus, meets and advises theater students
Actor and comedian Rob Bartlett had some encouraging words for Alfred University theater students this week. “I was where you are now,” Bartlett told about 15 students in the Theater Class of Eliza Beckwith, Visiting Professor of Theater, and also an Alfred University alumna (Class of ’78).
Actor and comedian Rob Bartlett had some encouraging words for Alfred University theater students this week.
“I was where you are now,” Bartlett told about 15 students in the Theater Class of Eliza Beckwith, Visiting Professor of Theater, and also an Alfred University alumna (Class of ’78).
“There’s no reason you can’t do it,” Bartlett added. “The only one to stop you is yourself.”
Bartlett also attended Alfred University, from 1975 to 1976. A native of Long Island, he subsequently started his career in theater doing stand-up comedy, radio and eventually live theater on Broadway. At the Richard M. Dixon White House Inn, a talent club on Long Island, he met another young comedian, Eddie Murphy, then 17. The two became good friends and formed two-thirds of the improvisational trio The Identical Triplets.
Murphy went on to make a name for himself as a cast member for Saturday Night Live; Bartlett’s career took off in another direction, with headline appearances at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Atlantic City's Tropicana and Hilton Hotels, and Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut. On television, he appeared on the MTV Half Hour Comedy Hour, Standup Spotlight on VH1 and on Late Night with David Letterman and Conan O'Brien.
Bartlett worked with Alfred University theater students through Wednesday, then met with them again Thursday for a debriefing.
“Grab as much as you can,” he said. “Trust yourselves.”