Arbender Robinson (Actor) Broadway: In Transit, Shuffle Along (revival), Les Miserables (revival), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Disney’s The Lion King, Book Of Mormon, Hair, Ragtime (revival), Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Hairspray. T.V.: The Last O.G., Nurse Jackie, Little Voice, Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning.
He made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning production of Hairspray; where he covered the role of Seaweed. In the original cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid he covered the role of Prince Eric. He also served as the Dance Captain and Swing for the Broadway revival of Hair and was seen in the Broadway revival of Ragtime. His Broadway credits continue with Disney’s The Lion King, Broadway’s 6th longest running and all time highest grossing show. Since then he was in the original cast of Beautiful The Carole King Musical and the 2014 of Les Miserables and is the cover for Marius. He is also the first African American to ever play Marius on Broadway. Arbender starred in the 2016 hit music Shuffle Along alongside many Broadway Legends including Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Brandon Victor Dixon and Joshua Henry. The show was Directed by Tony Award Winner George C Wolfe and Choreographed by Savionne Glover.
Prior to moving to NYC, Arbender was a featured Vocalist with Royal Caribbean Cruises as well as an actor and vocalist for numerous Disney productions at Walt Disney World. He spent 4 years as a studio session Vocalist for the Disney Organization and can be heard in various parades and attractions worldwide. Arbender also performed extensively in Regional Theater in the US as well as numerous shows abroad including: Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Five Guys Named Moe, Sweeney Todd, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, Ragtime, Secret Garden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Songs for a New World, Parade, Miss Saigon and Into the Woods.
When asked to describe the vocal ability of Arbender, one critic said “clear, effective, killer range of death…and that is a good thing. Look out Billy Porter, Arbender has arrived“ As a teaching artist, Arbender has worked with many organizations around the country and has a very unique teaching style that’s accessible to all ages and talent levels. He also works significantly at bringing arts awareness to programs all over the country as well as serving as a huge advocate for Autism awareness and research. You can find more information here by following the link for “Teaching” or you can visit him at the New York Vocal Coaching Studio in Manhattan. www.NewYorkVocalcoaching.com
Arbender also mentioned a few things to keep his mom happy:
“I am a huge advocate for education, the thirst for knowledge, and believing in the power of your dreams. Dream big because sometimes these things can come true. I studied theater, music, dance, and management at Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. I have lived and or worked professionally in more states than I can ever recall and I now consider NYC and The Great White Way my home”
