Texas Essentials: J. Robert Moore, Actor, Director, “Golden Girls” Fan

This article first appeared in Texas Lifestyle Magazine on November 26, 2019.

J. Robert Moore says, “If I wasn’t acting, and I didn’t work in the theater at all, I would probably—be very sad and gloomy somewhere.”

As a result of being called “so dramatic” by his second-grade teacher, Moore grew up with the idea of acting ingrained in his mind. While living in San Antonio, Moore knew he was gifted with a flair for acting and skills to back up his passion.

Jimmy
With perfectly coiffed eyebrows and two cute dimples on his cheeks, J. Robert Moore plays a wide range of characters from the downright devilish to the charmingly delightful. Photo courtesy J. Robert Moore

He attended Texas State University working on his bachelor and master degrees where he focused on Camp Theater, Musical Theater and Shakespeare performance. Subsequently, Moore went on to study at some of the most prestigious acting companies in the world—Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

For the last fifteen years, the thespian has earned theatrical credits with companies across the country eventually making his way back to the Lone Star State and ZACH Theatre.

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Besides playing Barbra Streisand in “Buyer and Cellar,” J. Robert Moore’s favorite role is Black ‘Stache in “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Photo courtesy Kirk Tuck

His first and favorite role with Austin’s beloved theater company was the outrageous and overly-dramatic Black ‘Stache in ZACH’s “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Recently, Moore played Ms. Trunchbull in “Matilda the Musical,” which had audiences falling out of their seats with laughter.

As a lover of musicals, one type of role he’d love to take on is that of a stellar vocalist or dancer where the character has an exuberant solo. Moore enjoys working with beginning actors and says, “The best theatre training enhances a student’s abilities without diminishing a passion for the art form.”

Jimmy & Levi
J. Robert Moore (left) is marrying longtime boyfriend, Levi Stoneking (right), this spring and hopes in ten years, he’s coming to see his performances with their little ones in tow. For now, their four-legged little ones (left-right: Daphne, Dixie and Davy) will suffice. Photo courtesy Anthony Gauna

Away from the theater, Moore is a classic movie fan, a good cook, a habitual thrift store shopper, and a lifelong devotee of “The Golden Girls.” He splits his time between his extended family in San Antonio, his friends in Austin, and his soon-to-be husband and three dogs in Houston.

J. Robert Moore is currently starring in the Santaland Diaries
November 29-December 29 at ZACH theater.

We wanted to know what this talented theater performer and director never leaves home without—also known as his Texas Essentials.

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J. Robert Moore’s Essentials range from to-do lists, which help him stay on track and focused to his hairspray to tame the thick, dark chocolate mane atop his head. Courtesy photo

Chapstick

I absolutely cannot be out of arm’s reach of a tube of Burt’s Bees Chapstick. If I don’t have one on me, you can bet I have stashed three of them within 20 paces.

Hairspray

People always make fun of me for this, but I have a lot of hair, and it can get out of control.

Phone, Keys, Wallet, Sunglasses

These go without saying, except that I often misplace one or all of these items.

Book

I love to read and hate to be bored. If I’m not traveling with an actual physical book (no e-books for me, thank you), I most definitely have an audiobook I am listening to.

To-Do List 

I’m a list maker from way back. I even have my own system of categorizing my to-do lists based on areas of my life.


Cover: J. Robert Moore in “Buyer and Cellar.” Photo courtesy Kirk Tuck

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