Bob Austin

Bob Austin has been a legend in the Tampa Bay area since his days as a star pitcher for Plant High School in the 1950s. Bob returned to Tampa after a stint in the Army and became a sports writer for the Tampa Tribune.

He retired in 1987 from the newspaper business, where he was the Bowling editor, and pursued a career in acting. He has been a feature player for the Spanish Lyric Theatre. His acting credits are listed below.

• Played the role of Baron Eberfeld in “The Sound of Music” production in July 1997 at the Performing Arts Center. Played the same role when the SLT took “The Sound of Music” on the road to Pinellas County for two performances in 1997.
• Cast in the role of The Crying Judge in “Hello Dolly” in November 1997 at the Performing Arts Center. Played the same role when the SLT took “Hello Dolly” on the road to Pinellas County for two performances in early 1998.
• Played the role of Bogdanovich, one of the three politicians in “The Merry Widow” in March 1998.
• Played the role of U.S. Marshall Cord Elam in “Oklahoma” in July 1998 at the Performing Arts Center.
• Although not proficient in Spanish, was a member of the background chorus in the Spanish production of Las Leandras at the Performing Arts Center.
• Cast in the role of The Valet in “Gigi” in November 1998 at the Performing Arts Center. Danced (the waltz) for the first time on stage.
• Recreated the role of Marshal Cord Elam when the SLT took “Oklahoma” on the road to Pinellas County in early 1999.
• Was a member of the background chorus when the SLT celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala show in May 1999 at the Performing Arts Center.
• Was a member of the background chorus and cast in the role of The Clumsy Dancer in “Cinderella” in July 1999 at the Performing Arts Center.
• Played three roles in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” in November 1999 at the Performing Arts Center. Was a “John” in the opening scene, the football coach of the Texas A&M Aggies and the dancing, prancing, singing and sidestepping Governor… recreated all three roles when the SLT took “Best Little Whorehouse In Texas” on the road to Heritage Pines retirement community in Hudson, FL., in January 2000.
• Played a dual role in “Guys and Dolls” in January 2000 at the TBPAC Playhouse. Played a boxing trainer and the role of Joey Biltmore, plus was one of the many “guys.” Played the same roles when the SLT took “Guys and Dolls” on the road to River Ridge High School in March 2000 and to Heritage Springs in Palm Harbor in April 2000.
• Was a member of the chorus in “Los Claveles De Ybor” on May 20, 2000 in the Playhouse of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
• Was in the background chorus in “Babes in Toyland” in July 2000 at the Performing Arts Center.
• Played the role of “Herr Ruder the Innkeeper” in “The Student Prince” in August 2000 at the Performing Arts Center.
• Was in the background chorus plus played a pantomime role as “The Baron” in “Las Musas Latinas” on Nov. 11, 2000 at the Performing Arts Center.
• Despite a total left knee replacement, was able to be a member of the background chorus in “Fiddler on the Roof” on March 3, 2001.
• Was a member of the background chorus in Bohemios at the TBPAC on May 19, 2001.
• Played the role of Andrew MacLaren in “Brigadoon” on Sept. 7-8-9, 2001 at the TBPAC.
• Was a member of the chorus in “America Inmortal” on Nov. 17, 2001 at the TBPAC.
• Assisted with props and was the “King’s” valet during the performance of “The King and I” on March 9, 2002 at the TBPAC.
• Was a member of the background chorus in “La Verbena de la Paloma” on May 18, 2002 at the TBPAC.
• Played the role of grandpa Prophater in “Meet Me In St. Louis,” Sept. 13-14-15, 2002 at the TBPAC. Played the same role when the SLT took “Meet Me In St. Louis” to Heritage Springs in Palm Harbor on Jan. 19, 2003.

Bob and his wife Carol reside in Tampa.