Robbins, John Jacob, 1895-1950.

John Jacob (Jack) Robbins (1895-1950) was an American author, editor, poet, stage director, teacher, and translator.

He was affiliated with various theatre groups and schools in New York City and edited literary and theatrical journals. In 1917-1918 he served as head of the translation department of the Jewish Daily Forward. During the 1920s he was an assistant to Constantin Stanislavsky at the Moscow Art Theater in the USSR. He also was involved with the Ferrer Colony in Stelton, New Jersey.

From the description of John Jacob Robbins papers, 1893-1953, bulk (1911-1953). (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122517565

J.J., or Jack, Robbins was an author, editor, poet, stage director, teacher of theater, and translator (chiefly from Russian and Yiddish) in New York. He was affiliated with the Actors' Ensemble Theater, American Theater Ensemble, Impromptu Theater, Leonardo da Vinci Art School (theater department), New Theater School, the Professional School of the Theater at the 92nd Street YMHA, and other theaters and theater schools. He edited literary and theatrical journals including East and West, Impromptu, J.R.'s Magazine, and others. From approximately 1917-1918 Robbins served as head of the translation department of the Jewish Daily Forward, a New York Yiddish language newspaper. His published translations include: A Sheaf From Lermontov (1923), Azure Cities: Stories of New Russia (1929), and Constantin Stanislavsky's My Life in Art (1952). During the 1920s, apparently during trips to Russia, Robbins was an assistant to Constantin Stanislavsky at the Moscow Art Theater, USSR. From 1921-1936 he was assistant to Nikita Balieff at Balieff's La Chauve-Souris.

Robbins was involved with the Ferrer Colony, Stelton, New Jersey, from 1918-1920s, serving as the principal of the Colony's Modern School, editor of its magazine Modern Education, and founder and director of the theatrical group the Stelton Players. His family appears to have had a house at the “Jewish Colony” at Chatham, New Jersey.

From the guide to the J.J. Robbins papers, 1893-1953, 1911-1953, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)