Robert Serrell

Robert Serrell currently serves as Executive Director of The Barrow Group, an Off-Broadway theatre company and performing arts school located in NYC, where under his leadership the organization’s operating budget has grown from $650k to $2.25m, the staff has quadrupled in size, the board has grown from 3 to 16 Trustees, and the amount of programming has tripled. The Barrow Group is a Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk Award recipient, and has been named by CBS News and Time Out NY as one of the top places to study acting in New York City.

Originally from Knoxville, TN, Robert holds a BA in English and Theatre from Vanderbilt University (1997) and an MFA in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University (2008). Robert also holds a Certificate in Fundraising from NYU (2015). He is in the process of earning an MBA in Strategic Management from Pace University (2019 expected graduation).

Robert got his taste of the non-profit performing arts sector in 1999 in his first job at the Lincoln Center Theater, where he worked as a production assistant on the Broadway production RING AROUND THE MOON and then as the Vivian Beaumont stage door operator and office assistant. During this time, he had the honor to be mentored by Executive Producer Bernard Gersten and to serve as personal assistant to Irene Worth.

In 2001, Robert left NYC to work with Shakespeare & Company (Lenox MA), the largest classical theatre in New England. He worked in the Education Program as a teaching artist and administrator. He eventually become the Director of the Youth Summer Shakespeare Program (“Riotous Youth”), where he managed five other teaching artists. He also worked on the adjudicated youth program, middle and high school residencies, and several Education tours of Shakespeare productions.

In 2005 Robert moved to Boston to earn his MFA in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University, and continued to work with Shakespeare & Co part-time through 2008. From 2008-2010, Robert taught performing arts courses to undergraduate students at Emerson College, and started his own marketing firm (Serrell Design) focused on digital content and website design.

In 2010, Robert was hired by The Barrow Group to serve as the Director of Education and Marketing. In 2013, Robert was awarded an Emerging Leader fellowship from the New York Foundation of the Arts (NYFA), where he had the opportunity to train in executive leadership over the course of a year. In 2014, Robert was appointed to co-lead The Barrow Group as Executive Director, alongside the founding co-Artistic Directors Seth Barrish and Lee Brock. This past season, under Robert’s leadership, The Barrow Group offered three Main Stage productions (one of which was named a NY Times Critic’s Pick), over a dozen readings, several student performances, a residency with Quinnipiac College, and more than 400 performing arts workshops for youth and adults.

Robert is married to Catherine Williams, who is the Director of Development at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and formerly at St Ann’s Warehouse, Jacobs Pillow Dance, Atlantic Theater Company, and Shakespeare & Co. They have two wonderful children, Lillian (2 months) and Lucas (4 years), and live in Westchester County NY.