From Social Work to Comedy: Laughing Your Way into a New Industry

In June of 2016, I walked into my first improv class and met Robin Fitzgerald. We clicked immediately. I was struck by her kind, charismatic presence. Through her deadpan humor, she gives you glimpses of her curious nature and razor-sharp wit. Her friendly and engaging personality makes anyone feel comfortable. Scared, and having no idea about what to expect, I leaned over and asked her if this was her first improv class. She said yes. I was relieved to know I wasn’t the only “beginner.” She forgot to mention that she was also an acting student in her free time – I’d learn this over coffee one day when she asked me if I’d practice her audition lines in Starbucks. Anyway, what I thought was a class full of beginners, was instead a class full talented actors, comedians and writers. To my surprise, I immediately felt comfortable.  Each week for 8 weeks, I looked forward to seeing my improv friend and sharing laughs with a unique group of creative souls.

Robin’s zest for life is contagious and she’s proof that you can have more than one passion in life and turn a hobby into a second career.  She’s a licensed Clinical Social Worker and a working Actor in LA. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago with her close-knit family, she knew early on that she didn’t fit in and that she was different. Comedy was her regular escape and it weirdly came natural to her. As the designated class clown from elementary through high school, Robin was always eager to make people laugh.  Her childish cheeky pranks delighted her friends and annoyed the teachers. Raised on the simple humor of Seinfeld, her comedy style echoes the satire of everyday life. Robin’s inspiration comes from strong-willed comedy legends such as Julia Louis Dreyfus and Kristen Wiig, as well as newcomers like Aubrey Plaza. It’s easy to see why her admiration for hardworking, honest and brave women who’ve paved the way for the next generation of female comedic actors gives her hope for the future.

Never afraid of a challenge, Robin left the suburbs of Chicago moved to New York City to pursue her master’s degree of Social Work fulltime. She was immediately enthralled with the energy and buzz of the sleepless city. Living in this vibrant metropolis scared her, tested her limits and confidence but she loved it. NYC left a lasting impression on her, even though her time there was short. It would certainly play a future role in her decision-making. 

Robin moved back to Chicago to pursue her passion in social work and spent a few years working directly with at-risk youth with emotional disabilities, history of aggression and lack of community resources. Therefore, making them more susceptible to gang violence. Her work with the Menta Group allowed her to deep dive into causes she cared deeply about – mental health and gender equality. She felt compelled to do more and grow her skills, becoming a licensed Clinical Social Worker. This credential allowed her to combine her passion for social work and therapy.

Robin continued to follow a path that she laid out for herself, yet she still yearned for more. She set her sights on becoming an Administrator in the Chicago Public School (CPS) system. A coveted role within the school system on the Principal track. This position seemed like a natural fit given her previous experience with at-risk, underserved youth and recent credentials.  She thought she could do more working within a leadership level at CPS. However, even though she excelled at her job and was comfortable, the management level of this role would take an emotional toll, often leaving her feeling depleted. The high stress environment made her feel depressed, disconnected and further removed from what she sought to accomplish. The more she succeeded, the more disconnected she felt from what mattered the most: the connection with her students.

Feeling restless with her everyday schedule, Robin felt the pull to try something new and fun. Deep down she always wanted to take an acting class. On her very first day of class at Acting Studio Chicago, something changed. She knew instantly that she wanted more of it in her life. There was a lot uncertainty in this new hobby, but she kept at it in her spare time. A lot of time was spent fielding all the questions that popped into her head, such as: Can I do this? Should I do this? Is this even realistic? What will people think?  

In January of 2016, the questions in Robin’s head stopped when her coveted position at CPS was eliminated due to leadership changes. The news initially left her in shock as she had never been laid off before. The fear left her scared and confused, but she decided to trust herself, be patient and lean into the unknown. Once the fog lifted, she dove right into filling her days and evenings with acting and improv classes. The two-week severance package did not provide a large safety net, but she pressed forward looking for jobs whenever she wasn’t in classes.

Robin realized the more classes she took, the more she loved it. She was convinced this was her calling. As her confidence and comfort levels increased, so did her skills, and she started dabbling with auditions to get her feet wet. By August 2016, after none of the job interviews panned out and still unsure about her next move in the acting world, CPS called to let her know they re-opened her position.  After 6 months unemployment, Robin felt succumbed to return as she needed a secure stream of income. However, in her heart of hearts, she felt disappointed and knew deep down she made the wrong decision. Yet, she ignored her intuition.

The guilt hung over her like a dark cloud. She recalled when she went to fill out the rehire paperwork, she felt defeated. With her stomach in knots, she felt physically ill. It was difficult to return because she understood the contrast of truly pursuing something she loved. The return proved difficult and she never quite adjusted after the layoff. She pressed forward thinking she was doing the right thing for CPS and others, while ignoring her gut instincts.

Much to her surprise, Robin’s summer fling with acting and improv classes, and auditions paid off. She was cast in a pilot for a show called Welcome to Big Sky Adventures (the air date is still pending). It was filmed in June of 2017 in Montana.  On set, she really connected with the other actors and truly felt in her element. The fun and laughs seemed endless. There was natural chemistry amongst the ensemble and as their friendship grew so did their comfort levels with each other. She loved being in a comfortable, creative and expressive environment. It was freeing. She was contributing to the writing and found herself falling in love with acting. As the joy in her heart grew, she deeply wanted to take a chance. Robin knew she had to quit her fulltime job and just go for it. Yet, she was afraid. It’s extremely difficult to listen to your convictions if they’re not mainstream, especially in an industry under intense scrutiny because of the MeToo movement.

In the fall of 2017, after a weekend getaway to New York City with friends, Robin continued to grow restless. The nostalgia of being back in bustling city reminded her that there is opportunity in inspiration. She felt free. Being away from her daily routine and workload, Robin knew it was time to cut the cord. The following Monday morning she walked in to school and gave a month’s notice that she was quitting and moving to LA. The weight was finally lifted off her shoulders even though she didn’t have a plan. Her family and friends had mixed reactions, but her conviction was stronger than ever. She’s grateful for her sister’s support and knew her parents were a little weary but believed in her. Some people flat out thought she was crazy for pursuing a nontraditional path. Though, Robin’s heart was full, and she felt confident in her decision to follow this wildly unconventional path.

By the end of December 2017, Robin packed her car and drove the long way to LA with not much of a plan. The road trip gifted her a sense of wonder, time for contemplation, self-discovery and peace. She knew a handful people in LA and ended up staying with a friend for a couple of weeks to get her bearings. Almost immediately, she immersed herself in the LA lifestyle, discovering the city, hiking, and eventually finding her way to Studio City. She got wind of a free acting workshop through a Facebook ad and signed up. While her stint in the class didn’t last long, she walked away with a solid network of amazing hardworking people and an optimistic view.

LA is home. She loves being surrounded by creative people. She said it always feels like she is one degree away of creating her true art. It’s a privilege to be surrounded by other actors, directors and producers just in acting classes alone. Creative circles work well for her art, mind and collaboration goals. Regular acting classes keep her skills fresh and she loved being a part of The Groundlings Theatre and School, one of the leading improv training programs in the country, when she first moved to LA.

Robin never dreamed she could have her cake and eat it too. While acting doesn’t pay her bills, she still felt driven to tap into her previous life as a licensed Clinical Social Worker. This newfound freedom allows her to do it on her own terms as a part-time Therapist. She currently works with an online mental health company and her expertise ranges from anxiety and depression to life transitions. The best of both worlds still allows her the opportunity to advocate for causes she believes in most, especially mental health. Supporting mental health is extremely important, and she tries to weave it in creatively through her work and sketch writing. She feels passionate about using her voice, sharing her clinical background and empowering others to combat the stigma around mental health.

While being passionate about connecting and helping others, Robin feels like her best self when writing and collaborating with fellow creatives. She’s currently developing her first sketch comedy series called Fitz & Friends on YouTube, which she writes, acts and produces. The best part of the creative process is working with a network of friends she’s built over the past year. Her joy comes from creating and bringing characters to life. Robin is always ready to make people laugh. She’s also never afraid of taboo subjects like sexual and workplace harassment. Comedy is a medium that can educate and make light of difficult situations. Laughter helps get us through life. Things can get heavy and it’s so important that we remember to have fun.

Robin is disciplined, driven and dedicated to her craft. She works hard to be present in the moment. Success for her is the continued curiosity of moving forward – and perhaps a brilliantly written comedy on HBO too. One of the best quotes that sums her up in a nutshell is by the poet, Rumi:

Let yourself be slightly drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.

Being open to self-discovery, despite being laid off from her job, allowed Robin the opportunity to follow a new path where she discovered a whole new side of herself. Accepting that you may have more than one path in this beautiful life is a great example of living with purpose.

Three simple joys of Robin’s daily routine.

1. Meditation. Anything that connects her to her higher self.
2. Gratitude. Making a daily habit of being grateful.
3. Being a support or inspiration to someone. She feels fortunate to be able to help people through her therapy work.  

You can connect with Robin on Instagram. Fitz & Friends is on YouTube with more episodes to come.

*Photos courtesy of Robin Fitzgerald.*