Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
“Well, why do you exercise your vocal cords before you sing?” Robin answered back, giving the same level of sass, albeit a bit more joking. “It not only helps prevent injuries but also helps calm yourself. Make you focus on something like you’re breathing and forget the world for a moment.”
He closed his resting his hands on his knees. Robin made his body stack the right way before taking a deep breath in. Then, he exhaled, pressing his knees down to the stage floor. He repeated the same thing, before opening his eyes again. “Are you enjoying other classes at school? Any other teachers?” he asked, figuring it was best to ask things that weren’t as intense.
Robin arched an eyebrow. “You mean study hall? The one that you expertly seem to slip out of…oh I don’t know, three times a week?” he inquired, lowering the sword. Robin didn’t believe him, obviously. But he would humor Nash’s request. Robin wasn’t one that liked to do any kind of bartering – but with Nash, he had a feeling a bit of a bribe was needed.
“Yes, but only the wooden one today. What questions you answer will depend on the movement you learn. But we stretch first. You’re welcome to fill the air with complaints, or we work in silence.” Robin walked up to the now empty stage, placing the wooden sword on the table. He took a seat, legs in a butterfly position, to start stretching his hips.
Robin gave another quick glance to Nash before continuing class. He didn’t like having to single students out, but when they were acting not like their usual selves, it made him worry. Maybe he worried a bit more than he needed, but he was a teacher. He wanted to make sure his students were okay and set up for a decent future.
The auditions went slow, but that was alright. “Good job everyone, please start memorizing the monologues you want to use for the Spring show auditions.” Eyes watched as students began to shuffle out, but Robin prevented Nash from bolting out with one wooden sword. Not in a menacing way, but Robin knew what the boy wanted. And he would give it to him, whether he cooperated or not.
“C’mon,” he said. “Let me see you run through your lines again. I can have my back turned to you, if you want. Or..” his voice became softer. More paternal. “We can chat about what’s going on. I’ve been told you’ve been missing some classes.” There was a high chance that Nash would choose the first option, but there was also the possibility he would crumble and then talk. It wasn’t like math class or science. Nash’s whole academic career wasn’t carried on the back of drama class. But Robin knew his habits enough that if Nash was screwing up in his class, on things Robin knew he was confident in – that was odd.
Shakespeare, it was something Robin loved. Maybe a bit more than others, but it was an important aspect of acting – especially in England. There was something about knowing the cadences, as well as the monologues that were important. It wasn’t for everyone, and he knew that. It wasn’t that everyone liked or could handle. Robin saw it as something that made or broke a future actor. If someone couldn’t survive Shakespeare, then maybe the stage wasn’t the place. Of course, that could change – but he hadn’t been proven wrong yet.
Robin had his students break up for the first half of class. He would help with a few things if asked, but he wanted to give them some time to go over lines with their peers. The Spring show was nearing the start of auditions, so extra time during class was much needed. The twenty minutes passed quite quickly before he called upon the group wanting the leads. Hamlet people were a good chunk, but the friendly competition was needed. Unfortunately, the loss was needed in the theatre. Made people understand that getting parts was a part of it.
Nash went first. Robin knew him to be a dedicated student, but a little too dedicated. He had noticed him hanging around too long, which wasn’t uncommon – but it was a constant action. As if there was something wrong, but Robin didn’t know what. He had talked to a few of the other teachers, and they all said Nash was a bit aloof in class – truly viewing Cs as equal passing.
There was a decent start, but then silence, and then continuation. Robin looked at his student, leaning into the table that was behind him. “Why not?” he asked. “And no, we’re not going to do a sword fight until tomorrow.”
When Nash got closer to Robin, he looked him dead in the eye. “If you need a moment, take it. The rest of your group will go first. We will continue this conversation after class,” he whispered, before calling up Trevor to the stage. There were a few whispers, but Robin shot a glance – and it simmered to nothing.
full name • Robin Jay Gallagher nicknames • Rob, Jay, RJ, Birdie age • 30 birthday • Dec 27, 1992 occupation • Fight Director for film and stage, Secondary school Drama teacher gender • male (he/him) sexuality • bisexual
the appearance
face claim• Kit Harrington
identifying features• In his words, Robin stands at a measily 5'-8". He sometimes wishes he could lie about the extra two inches, but he knows better. Robin, while average, is pleasing to the eye with his sharp jawline and well-maintained head of hair. His facial hair is always well-trimmed and in place, despite sometimes being a sweaty mess. It's rare to see the man outside of jeans and a t-shirt, opting for clothing he came to move in and do demonstrations. While doing fight choreography, Robin can be found in joggers, sneakers, and a sweatshirt of some sort. Teaching at the secondary school, he can be seen as more business casual. He will dress nicely if needed.
the personality
likes • sword fighting, all types of martial arts, ax throwing, parkour hard core, fencing, movement studies, Shakespeare, teaching dislikes • formal attire, staying still, wheat (celiac), cabbage (was force-fed) strengths • teaching, fight choreography, being able to read someone's movements, breaking things down, safety protocols, weaknesses • dancing (despite his ability to sword fight), singing (can't direct a musical theatre production for his life), a slice of life video games (Stardew Valley for the win) dreams • travel the world a bit more, inspire at least one student fears • water he can't see the bottom of (needs water to be crystal clear like tropical or pools), wasps (got stung once, wants to burn them all), never feeling welcome overall personality • Robin is one of those people that can switch between two extremes, rarely ever touching the inbetween. He's either extremely serious, no joking or happy, go lucky. it all depends on what he's doing. Training beginners, he wants them to take safety as top priority, allowing fun and banter to happen on occassion. But he's there to prevent people from getting hurt, even if the swords are plastic. Robin can let go more, when he's teaching his younger students. He sees them in their formative years, not wanting to add stress. Theatre in secondary school should be fun, not something that drains them of their time.
Despite his fluctuations, Robin is a good friend. More of a listener, than an advice giver. He sometimes struggles to voice his own issues, many of his feelings coming out in his personal performances. Robin does talk to someone but doesn't like being open about it, as he fears someone will judge him for it.
the history
father • unknown mother • unknown, Lillian Gallagher, 64, adoptive mother, retired siblings • a few foster siblings here and there, Olivia Gallagher, 23, adoptive sister important people • SAVANNAH CRYSTAL TAYLOR hometown • Dublin, Ireland overall history • Robin was born and dropped into a baby safe box in Dublin, Ireland. Not much is known about his past, other than he bounced between foster homes until he turned fourteen. It was when he was placed with the Taylor family, that Robin finally felt like he belonged. The Taylors made Robin feel welcomed, making him feel part of a real family. While a bit quieter than the other fosters, Robin still enjoyed the playful teasing and family game nights.
He met Lillian, when he was sixteen, as his drama teacher in school. Robin was only in the class as an art credit before finishing secondary school. During his final year, was when Robin found that acting allowed him to express things that he hadn’t been able to do. Robin’s obsession with acting, and growing talents – prompted Lillian to officially adopt Robin, along with another student of hers, Olivia.
Robin trained in acting, focusing a lot on fight choreography. The idea of sword fighting, and the art of that movement – made him take a lot of the fight choreography classes they offered at his University. He even joined fencing, something to also occupy him from his thoughts.
After university, Robin began his acting career in the local area, before getting an MFA in acting – prompting him to get his Union card. Robin traveled throughout Europe for work, eventually getting his certificate to become a fight choreographer.
He decided to settle when he turned twenty-eight, following Lillian and Olivia to Hickstead. It was where Lillian wanted to retire, a small town in England. Wanting to be close to his family and to support the woman that had helped him for years, Robin found a job at the Secondary School as their drama teacher.
Robin lives on his own in the city, allowing him to be closer to school and the theatre district, but will travel to the small town to spend time with his family. He’s still getting used to the change of being settled but has been able to find plenty of work at the local university, as well as the theatre district of Willow Bridge.
