Check Out Robert Coppage, III’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Coppage, III.

Hi Robert, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Robert E. Coppage, III. I am from Wyandotte County and I love to teach, inspire, and tell stories.

I noticed that there weren’t enough spaces for BIPOC to explore their imagination and be carefree. In the typical classroom setting people that share my spirit have been told; to be quiet, stop distracting others, you’re lying, you’re too extra, etc.

I wanted to create a place for those students. I asked myself “Is there a way to use the arts to help cultivate public speaking skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and self-confidence?” I work with the understanding in a new generation of BIPOC using these attributes could do immeasurable good to improve and add value to the community.

I have been teaching improvisation for 3 years at Tribe University. The Tribe is all about using what you have and adding to that. This is what we learn in improv, you always say “Yes, and…” I love what I do, I love opening doors for hungry artists in KC. I love connecting people with each other. The tribe does that too.

If production needs a location, call and the Tribe will find it. If a product needs a specific BIPOC for cast or crew (even Muslim women, which get looked over alot in mainstream media. Honestly how often do you see women in their hijab in commercials? Regular commercials? THEY DESERVE REPRESENTATION! Ok, I’m done). The Tribe finds those individuals for the production.

It is fun and rewarding. We have seen so much growth from students after working with Tribe. People who take initiative and invest in themselves are the ones who make it far in this industry. We love working with those people and they love the Tribe.

I also act in the film, theatre, commercials, and television. I write. I direct. I produce. I love my job!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a fairly consistent grind upward. Everything I set out to do professionally, I’ve been blessed to see come to a realization. It’s a constant love and passion that drives me.

One struggle that happened this past summer was seeing some people that I care about getting taken advantage of. They left KC with the promise of being able to work on some big things in LA. They never got to finish those things, they never got compensation, and they were led along for months by empty promises and even threats.

This is why Tribe is so important. We want to create our own and not wait for the handouts. If there is one thing Morgan Cooper (creator of Bel-Air) has taught us in the past few years, is that with a budget you can do alot of things for alot of people. That’s what Tribe is working towards.

It’s all about keeping artists and crew members working and PAID. We want KC to be a film city. We don’t want to have to move to be taken seriously in the industry. We have top-quality creatives and filmmakers here in the city right now. Making things that look like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO, literally right now.

I could name so many people, men, and women. That is another struggle for KC. We need to support ourselves and create ourselves and let them come to us. Who knows in 10 years we may be the next Hollywood. People love shooting here from out of town.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We teach improv for us. We hire local artists to teach our students improv for Tribe University.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
No luck. I was prepared for every opportunity that I wanted to come to me. It took years of training and living and experiencing life for me to be ready for acting and teaching.

Things often fall into my lap or someone will just give me a good email or call asking me to act in this or be in that or direct over here. It’s not luck when you’re ready.

Pricing:

• •$350 1 on 1 Acting Lessons
• •$100 Improv Class
• •$0 Free Improv Class

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.tribeuniversity.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kctribeu?utm_medium=copy_link
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCTribeU/
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/Ko18Y

Image Credits
Alicia Maxwell, Libby Zanders, and Areiona King