Nick Robinson, who plays Ryder Scanlon, the nephew of Melissa Joan Hart’s character on ABC Family’s hit sitcom Melissa and Joey is a kid with an impressive resume for a 16-year-old. TheCelebrityCafe.com’s Sari Kent had a chance to speak to Nick about his acting career, what he does in his spare time and what its been like working with two child stars like Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence.
TCC: Nick, your acting career began when you were eleven years old performing with the Seattle ACT Theatre in several lead roles in such plays as A Christmas Carol and To Kill A Mockingbird. How did that come about?
Nick Robinson: Well, I’m from Seattle so I began acting at 8 or 9 years old in a community theatre group called “Broadway Bound” and I found I really liked it, so I kept going at it and like you said, at eleven I did my first professional show A Christmas Carol. I realized I really enjoyed theatre so I did shows up in Seattle like To Kill a Mockingbird and Lost in Yonkers. But there wasn’t a whole lot of work in Seattle, so I came down to LA almost three years ago now and I got an agent, but it was the writer’s strike so I couldn’t get work. So I went back to Seattle, and two years ago I came down and Melissa and Joey was only my second audition in LA. It was such a crazy, whirlwind, and it still doesn’t feel real. *laughs*
TCC: How is working in television different than working in theatre?
Nick Robinson: Well, I’m very lucky to be on Melissa and Joey because it’s a multi-cam sitcom and it was a nice transition from theatre because it’s taped in front of a live audience. I mean there are a lot of differences between television, but I’d have to say the biggest one is that [in theatre] there is no cut and you keep going no matter what.
TCC: Your bio also says you play the ukulele. How did learn to play such an usual instrument?
Nick Robinson: I learned how to play during a show I did in Seattle called A Thousand Clowns and, I’ve said this before, that one of the great things about acting is that you get to try new things, things you never thought you would do and you find out that you like ‘em.
TCC: Your bio also says that in your spare time, you’re an avid skier, soccer player, golfer and swimmer. With the success of Melissa and Joey do you find it hard to just hang out and do those things now that you’re a television celebrity?
Nick Robinson: Well, right now I’m on hiatus and it’s been great. I’m driving back from California right now and we’ve been on the road a couple of days. It’s actually been really nice being on hiatus. I can go back and hang with my friends and enjoy the summer and have some time off again so I do all the other things I like to do cause while I’m working I don’t always get the chance, I don’t always get the opportunity to do those.
TCC: What’s it like working side by side with two child stars like Joey Lawrence and Melissa Joan Hart?
Nick Robinson: Oh, it’s been great. They’ve become like my mentors. I don’t have a whole lot of film experience prior to Melissa and Joey and, since both of them were child stars, they can relate. They can help me with problems I might have and they’ve both been very smart in how they’ve navigated their careers. I mean, they stay out of trouble and they stay true to themselves.
TCC: Since both Melissa and Joey have been on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, is there any chance you might be next?
Nick Robinson: *laughs* Not anytime soon. Dancing is not my strong suit, so it would take some pretty heavy persuasion to get me on.
TCC: In 2009 and 2010, you starred in two short films. Was working on those any different then working on a series like Melissa and Joey or in theatre?
Nick Robinson: Yeah, working in movies and film it’s a little different. Usually it’s a single camera so you have to do takes and it can take 20 times versus four or five on Melissa and Joey, because you gave to reset and get everything at the right angle. And you don’t get as much rehearsal for movies just, you know, you read the script before, then you go dive into the scene. But, it’s also very rewarding, so they both have pros and cons.
TCC: Your bio also mentions that you’re a passionate supporter for finding a cure for muscular dystrophy. Why is that cause so close to your heart?
Nick Robinson: Well, my cousin was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and it’s just a really tragic disease and, as if yet, there is no cure, so I feel I want to get it as much publicity to do it as I can.
TCC: Besides starring on Melissa and Joey, you’ll be starting in the Disney Channel original movie Frenemies. Can you tell me a little more about that?
Nick Robinson: Yeah, we were filming in Toronto for about seven weeks and it should be coming out in September 2012.
TCC: Is there anything I left out that you would like to add?
Nick Robinson: No, I don’t think so. Just to watch Melissa and Joey Wednesdays at 8 on ABC Family. *laughs*