Most working actors go their whole career looking to land one just one memorable character that resonates with audiences for years on end. Thus far, Wendy Raquel Robinson has at least two of those roles under her belt with her turn as Regina “Piggy” Grier on “The Steve Harvey Show” and her award-winning portrayal of Tasha Mack on BET’s “The Game.”
Robinson’s artistic background in acting, dancing, directing, writing, producing and choreographing displays her passion as she strives for excellence in her career as an artist/scholar. She is a cum laude graduate of Howard University with a BFA in drama, and most recently completed filming on the highly anticipated Disney movie, The Descendants, in which she takes on the iconic role of Cruella de Vil.
Rolling out recently sat down with Robinson, currently starring in the new stage play, Things Your Man Won’t Do, to discuss her career, her inspiration for Tasha Mack, and her best advice when it comes to relationships.
Did you always know you wanted to be an actress?
What’s crazy is I knew I wanted to do something along these lines but didn’t know exactly what it’d be. When I was little I used to put on plays in my backyard and gather all the kids together. You know when you’re growing up in the hood we didn’t have a lot of resources so we gon make it do what it do and that’s what we did. By time I got to high school and college there was absolutely nothing else that I had an interest or desire to do. I went ahead and majored in drama at Howard University. I guess you can say I just allowed my passion to create a path for me.
Was there a particular moment when you knew that you could make it as an actress?
I think for me it was during my first ‘Pilot Season’. I would do like three or four auditions in one day. I had that hustle like nobody else. I’m running across town….changing clothes at the gas station….but I was really locked in and on task. Then I started getting callbacks and doing screen tests and everything that I was working so hard at began manifesting. And when I booked my first show…that audition was so intimidating because everybody was in the room. The Dawnn Lewis’…this was when A Different World was huge … and I’m in the room really intimidated thinking “What am I doing here?”. There’s Lela Rochon. There’s Holly Robinson Peete. And it wasn’t that it was a competitive thing. It was more like “No, you belong here too Wendy.” And that’s the moment I knew.
What can you tell us about Katrina, your character in Things Your Man Won’t Do?
Well, Katrina is really evolving. I’m really enjoying this character. She’s fresh. She’s fun. She’s delightful. She’s in search of love. She was abandoned as a child so she’s gone through life always in search of something. It’s the whole “Tears Of A Clown” syndrome. She masks it well behind the jokes and the laughs and all but just behind that is someone who is really in need of love and companionship. She’s a really layered character that I really enjoy playing. It’s refreshing for me. She starts off really big but ends up coming full circle and discovering what she really wants for herself.
As you play this character more and more are you constantly discovering new things about her?
I totally am! Just two weeks ago I didn’t have the layers that I’m discovering as of late. But now that we have about 15 or so shows under our belt, it feels like every show there’s a new layer and nuance that I’m coming to know about her and it just pulls me closer to her. That’s the thing about theater. It’s always evolving.
What’s the energy like with theater versus TV or film?
You really cant compare it to the other forms because the energy is so immediate in theater. There’s absolutely nothing like it. I had a show in Cleveland where my mic went out. I broke the fourth wall because I had to go fix the mic, it still didn’t work, I had to go back because Tichina and I had to open with a song, then the band came in….it was a mess. We ended up doing the scene sitting down on an exercise ball. The intention of the scene was still there but it was all over the place and the audience LOVED it. There’s absolutely nothing like that in television or film. That’s what I love about theater. It’s so unpredictable.
In your opinion, what’s one of the biggest mistakes people make in relationships?
I think one of the biggest mistakes, take our play for instance where Rachel is trying to force Demetrius to marry her…but you cant force a man to do anything. What I’ve discovered about relationships and marriage specifically is that it’s work. It’s a constant compromise between doing all the things you need to do to keep your mate happy and staying true to who you are and what makes you happy. It’s a beautiful thing but just be ready for the work.
What’s something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I am really shy unless I know you. Don’t get me wrong….I can turn up, but if I don’t know you I’m pretty quiet and to myself. People usually think the opposite of me because I have a tendency to play very strong and very ballsy characters but I’m pretty shy and inverted.
Speaking of ballsy characters — where did you draw the inspiration for Tasha Mack?
I drew Tasha from my best friend. She’s eight years older than me. We have the same birthday. She has a son that has been the thorn in her side but also the love of her life that she had when she was 16. She’s been my muse for that character hands down. She’ll love you to death then cut you down in the same heartbeat. The relationship she has with her son is so Tasha and Malik. How she carries herself is so Tasha Mack….except she doesn’t have the money. *laughs* But yes I pulled a lot of things from her as far as being a single mom and doing whatever it takes and whatever is necessary to take care of your child and family.
What do you make of Tasha’s popularity?
I think it has to do with everybody’s ability to identify with her. Everyone thinks they know someone just like her. She’s everyone’s Auntie/Sister/Cousin/Friend. She’s everybody’s homegirl. It’s her down to earth-ness that they really love and embrace about her and I love that people respond to her like that. The funny thing is people approach me like we’re one and the same and it’s like…”No, I’m really not that girl.”
What’s next for Wendy Raquel Robinson?
I’m excited to share this: I play the first black Cruella De Vil for Disney in a upcoming movie called The Descendants, which is directed by Kenny Ortega, who did a lot of work with Michael Jackson. That should be out hopefully around May. Definitely sometime in the summer. I also have a drama that’s actually out now called Mysterious Ways with Gary Dourdan. It’s on TV but it’s also on DVD as well if you don’t catch it. It’s a great project that’s under the radar but I’m really excited about the work that I did in it. Other than that of course we’re continuing with the run of Things Your Man Wont Do. There are also a few other things are in the works that are developing and as always I’m open to the endless possibilities abound.
Things Your Man Won’t Do is currently touring with the remaining dates:
Chicago – March 13 – 14 – Arie Crown Theatre
St. Louis, MO – March 15 – Peabody Opera House.
Washington, DC – March 27 – 29 – Warner Theatre
