Stage and Screen Actor Robert Montano Discusses His Autobiographical Play, SMALL, at People’s Light Through February 4th

-Brenda Hillegas
photo by Patty Wolf

In SMALL, now at People’s Light in Malvern, PA, Robert Montano plays himself- a small Puerto Rican/Italian kid from Long Island with a big dream! Bullied for his size, Robert became a jockey and entered the world of professional horse racing. By age 20, though, he outgrew his riding silks and decided to shift into acting and dancing. A week before graduating from Adelphi University’s dance program he joined Cats on Broadway. Montano’s career took off- he’s performed on stage, screen and television. At People’s Light, Montano starred in the world premiere presentations
of Fallow by Kenneth Lin (2012), and Barcelona by Bess Wohl (2013).

Now, he returns to People’s Light to tell his own, personal story. Below, Montano talks to us about the play, his career in theatre and as a jockey, and why everyone should go see SMALL.

Q: What drew you to professional horse racing and what inspired you to become a jockey? 
Robert Montano: Well, I was a little runt when I was 12 years old; much smaller than most kids at that age. Never really treated well, and easily picked on in school. I used humor to get out of bad situations. But when I was introduced to the racetrack by my mother, Gloria, I was in awe when I saw these little men get on these huge amazing animals of muscle. These jockeys had garnered the respect of the crowd. And I thought at that moment this was for me. I love horses, I love speed, and I love the competition. This was something I thought I’d be doing for the rest of my life. But God had other plans… 

Q: You went from jockey to stage actor. How? What made you transition to acting?
RM: I always had an affinity for movement and dance when I was a child. Only I didn’t know it at the time. I loved watching Soul Train and classic movies, West Side Story being at the top of the list! When I was at my lowest, after my mentor, Robert Pineda was killed in a race, I didn’t know what to do with my life. I found myself lost and floundering but still galloping horses… and one night; at a disco in Saratoga, still very skinny with these enormous bucked teeth, I would go to the Rafters disco. I was that guy who danced by himself because nobody wanted to dance with me, but I’d move with abandon with not a care in the world, or maybe angry at the world. I felt I needed to get something out. And in that moment, a beautiful girl had asked me to dance. I thought she was talking to somebody else, but it was me. She said I was a good dancer. That’s when things started brewing in my mind. And the rest, I’m not going to tell because then I’m giving away what happens in SMALL. 

Q: How did your career as a jockey prepare you for your career on stage and screen?
RM: The racetrack was the best place to grow up. It taught me to work hard and not be afraid. It taught me discipline and to build a spine when rejected. I was able to bring that into the dance world when I started at the age of 20. I was still galloping horses at Belmont Park as an exercise rider into my junior year until the Artistic Director of the dance department at Adelphi University, Norman Walker, gave me an ultimatum to either stay on the track or dance. I couldn’t have both, as he threatened to take away my scholarship. So, once I drove through the gates of Belmont Park, leaving it behind, I was bound and determined to utilize my work habits into dance… and focus.

Q: What made you want to write SMALL? What do you hope audiences take away from the show?
RM: I had been asked a few times to write about my days as a jockey… Jon Jory, who was the Artistic Director of Actors Theatre of Louisville back in 1993, was the first to put that seed into my head. I didn’t think it was interesting or worthy to share, especially because we are so programmed as a society to win, to finish first. I wasn’t that guy. I’m more akin to the underdog, striving for excellence even if you don’t achieve it, but persevering. This is why I made an about-face to write SMALL. For the underdogs of the world, I share my blemishes along with my small victories- a light is at the end of the tunnel. And what I hope the audience walks away with is to embrace the idea of finishing second, or even last… that it’s not the end of the world but to let that fire move you forward. I’m an example of that. That we do move on. That everything will be alright. But you have to work for it. 

Q: Why was it important for you to play the role yourself on stage?
RM: I don’t feel it’s imperative for me to play myself, although it is autobiographical. I know all 24 characters I play. I grew up with them- working, laughing, shooting the breeze, growing up faster than I could ever imagine by their side. But to your question, I am happy to pass the baton to another actor. This play is challenging; it’s extremely physical and emotionally draining. At times I’d laugh after rehearsing a very athletic scene, then turning to my director, Jessi D. Hill, asking, “Who wrote this thing?!”

But yeah, I guess I feel it was important for me to do this play first. To see if it really worked and translated onto the stage. I have angels looking over me and they seem pretty happy and much in my favor!

SMALL is performed, through February 4th, on the Steinbright Stage at People’s Light. Visit their website for tickets and info. For discounted performances, click here.