"Our Water for Elephants Legacy Robe celebration was an absolute thrill. Sounds hokey, but I could feel waves of love from the entire company. Taking in all of their happy, beaming faces as I circled around the stage three times... unforgettable. And seeing so many of the former Robe recipients who I have worked with over the past 30 years onstage at the Imperial Theatre cheering us on! That was such an unexpected joy. The Legacy Robe ceremony was a favorite opening night moment for so many of our ensemble making their Broadway debut. I look forward to attending some of their opening nights in the future when they don the Robe and keep the tradition alive and well!"
![Paul Castree wears the Robe, surrounded by enthusiastic supporters. Photo by David Levy.](https://prodcdnstorage.blob.core.windows.net/images/public/aboutequity/awards/Robe/Castree1.jpg)
Photo by David Levy.
Name: Paul Castree
Opening Night: March 21, 2024
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
First Broadway Credit: Grease, 1994
Professional Training: University of Illinois, Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Year Joined Equity: 1991
How I Got My Equity Card: as Harvey Johnson in the national tour of Bye Bye Birdie starring Tommy Tune and Ann Reinking.
Other Broadway Chorus Contract Credits: The Scarlet Pimpernel, Footloose, All Shook Up, High Fidelity (Robe Recipient), Young Frankenstein, 9 to 5 (Robe recipient) and Disaster! (Robe recipient).
Fun Fact: "I was in shows in high school with Broadway actors Richie Abanes (Dreamgirls), Sharon Sachs (Wicked), Jodi Benson (Crazy for You), Marin Mazzie (Ragtime), director/actor Joe Mantello (Angels in America) and producer Bob Greenblatt (The Inheritance). (Those are just SOME of their credits.) I still have our Guys and Dolls high school program with all of our names in it!"
![Paul Castree stands wearing the Robe in a dressing room. Surrounding him are five other people, four of whom are wearing all black and headsets.](https://prodcdnstorage.blob.core.windows.net/images/public/aboutequity/awards/Robe/Castree2.jpg)
Castree with the Water for Elephants stage management team. Photo by Jeffrey Bateman.
![Castree stands onstage in the Robe, arms out and face pointed upwards, while supporters look on excitedly and applaud.](https://prodcdnstorage.blob.core.windows.net/images/public/aboutequity/awards/Robe/Castree3.jpg)
Castree celebrates his fourth Robe. Photo by David Levy.
Watch the video of the ceremony