Robert Christopher Riley and his love for storytelling

I had the joyous opportunity to speak with Robert Christopher Riley. You may know him from his breakout role as Terrence in MTV’s Hit The Floor or Michael Culhane in The CW’s Dynasty. But during this conversation, I discovered more about his love for storytelling, how he got his start, and what he loves about the craft and business. 

The Love of Storytelling – Family & Culture 

During our conversation, Robert said, “I’m a storyteller, and my goal is to do the stories justice.” I wanted to learn more about that because his affinity for storytelling resonated throughout the conversation. 

“We tell some stories in the Caribbean, boy,” said Riley as he mentioned that his love for storytelling before acting came from his upbringing and, in particular, his grandmother. Growing up in a very Trinidadian household with his mother and grandmother, his childhood memories were built around family members telling stories. Rober said, “I grew up in the 80s when we didn’t have access to all these different screens. I would spend time talking and hearing stories from my granny, aunties, and uncles.” This was amplified for him because his father’s side is from Barbados, and it’s a Caribbean thing all around to tell stories. 

Storytelling for him isn’t just about conveying information or connecting with other people. It’s bigger than that because with a story there’s meaning, heart, emotions, and a message behind it and those involved. The same love and passion he had as a child growing up listening to his elders share parts of their soul is the same energy he matches with each role he takes. 

Professor Johnson Pointed him on the Right Path 

Robert’s passion for acting was ignited in undergrad by happenstance.

“I can’t look God in the face and tell him he is wrong! So I guess I better tell these stories,” said Riley, taking me back to where acting was introduced to him. As a young football player at Lehigh University, acting was the furthest thing on his mind. But this all changed when he took an introduction to act with Professor Johnson, who was from Queens and of Jamaican descent. 

“She asked me to audition for a part of A Raisin in the Sun several times,” said Riley.

He had rejected her request several times until he reluctantly accepted. Professor Johnson must have seen something in him he hadn’t because he landed the lead role. Robert said, “I stuck with Professor Johnson throughout my college career because she was the one who steered me in the right direction.”

He was on his path to graduating with an undergraduate degree in Theater from Lehigh University and entering a graduate program in Theater from Ohio University (which he completed). Then, “18 months later, I’m on Broadway working with Terrence Howard, James Earl Jones, and Phylicia Rashad. Debbie Allen directed the production,” said Riley. This moment solidified that this was what God had intended for his life. 

From The Stage To The Television Screen

“These characters develop from episode to episode,” said Riley. He loves serial television because the characters develop over time.  As a natural storyteller, Robert finds joy in the continuing story of someone he is playing to develop.

Robert said, “Before that, I would have said Broadway because the audience is right there.” A stage is where he shares a moment with the audience members that can’t be rewatched or recorded. He said it’s not the same on television because once it’s shot and edited, people watch it at their leisure or on the programmed date. 

“I felt your laughter, which let me know to keep going,” said Riley. 

It’s this shared experience that you can only get in theater. “I saw your tears, and you saw mine,” said Riley. There is a deeper level of connection and intimacy in theater, and is not capable on television. After speaking with him, you realize that in theater, it’s a two-way receiver between the cast and the audience. On the other hand, television is a one-way receiver from the cast to the audience. 

Robert said, “There is nothing more humbling than a standing ovation.” For him, a standing ovation always signifies that he has entertained the audience, and that’s a job well done. Therefore his advice to anyone looking to make it in the business is to focus on telling the story and nothing else.