Voiced by Andrea
Hi! I'm Andrea and I am so glad you are here.
As a professional in the theatre sphere for going on 10 years I see a gap in the way we build confidence. For the last eight years, I have observed my students face anxieties ranging from manageable to crippling, sometimes causing them to abandon their art. After being exposed to the theories in sport psychology, I decided to dive in to the research being done on artists. The results? Honestly, terrifyingly little. Despite the significant lack in literature, especially when I start my doctoral studies, more and more research is emerging all the time.
For the past five years, I have been diligently studying current, peer-reviewed research on performance anxiety and how it effects actors, dancers, and singers. Using this knowledge, combined with the multitudes of anxiety management and intervention plans I have studied, I am confident I can help performing artists find a way to unleash their artistic voice. Whether your voice is heard through acting, dance, or singing, you deserve to feel confident.
My Story
My name is Andrea Robb and I am an Adjunct Instructor of Theatre, Adjunct Instructor of Health and Sports Sciences, and Founder/Director of The Agency Improv Troupe at Miissouri Baptist University. I am a 2016 alumna of MBU with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Theatre, and a 2018 alumna of Fontbonne University, where I graduated with my M.A. in Theatre. Melding my two educational backgrounds, I specialize in Performance Psychology and am currently pursuing my PhD in this subject at Grand Canyon University.
After graduating in 2016, I joined the staff of MBU Athletics as Manager of Athletic Operations. For two years, I served in administration and in 2018, I transitioned positions to the Director of Spirit and Head Coed Cheer Coach. During my time as Director of Spirit, I launched a new sport, grew the overall program from 40 to approximately 70 students, and won a national NCA title for NAIA Small Advanced Coed. Perhaps most importantly in this side-quest of my life, I saw directly that my theatre students and my athletes were experiencing the same types of struggles with their mental health.
​
In theatre, I have been performing, designing, and directing for over 20 years. Most commonly, I work as a costume designer or dialect coach. With extensive background in costume construction and design, I have earned high praise from local outlets like the Ladue News, STL Today, and the Riverfront Times.
I have participated in over forty productions ranging from community to collegiate to professional. Some of my favorite roles include The Sour Kangaroo (Seussical the Musical TYA), Lisa (Falling), and Cinderella (Into the Woods). My favorite design and directing credits include Peter Pan (costume design), Anything Goes (costume design), and The Drowning Girls (direction; KCACTF Region V commendation for Best Directing).
All in all, my professional experience is wide and deep. I love college students and helping them find the person they are meant to be during these formative years.
​
Despite my love for teaching, my research has been calling me to do something more, which brings us here. The most empowering part of my job as a teaching is seeing a break through happen. While I love my college students, the research is clear that anxiety interventions are the most successful when they are executed early.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
314-258-1790