By Pepper Parr
May 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Robert Missen
Robert Missen spent a lot of time managing the careers of some of the bigger names in the entertainment business. He touches base with hundreds of them each month – placing then in a venue, talking through future plans. From time to time he has a conversation with one of the best entertainment names this country has produced – Gordie Tapp who can still be coaxed onto a stage.
Four years ago Tapp was made the first inductee into the Burlington Performance Arts Centre Hall of Fame. Little did Bob Missen ever think that he would see his name on the wall.
Bob Missen and Loretta Bailey on stage at the Lowville Festival last summer.
Missen who has returned to Burlington after a number of years now operates the The Bobolink Agency.
He was the artist representative for the Elmer Iseler Singers from 1986 – 2012; sang in the Rosedale United Church for 25 years and was the director of the Norfolk Arts Centre for three years.
Missen has represented some of the country’s finest performing artists in the fields of classical, jazz and pop music, theatre, musical theatre, comedy and dance. Artists included Stuart McLean, Sylvia Tyson, Maureen Forrester, Veronica Tennant, Michael Burgess, and Men of the Deeps.
He was the founder of the Tapestry New Opera Works/Tapestry Singers which ran for 12 years.
Robert Missen with the award, designed and crafted by Teresa Seaton, poses with Performing Arts Centre president Suzanne Haines on the left and Theatre Board chair Ilene Elkaim on the right.
Missen didn’t need much time to get active in Burlington – last year he, along with Loretta Bailey and others in the Lowville community, created the Lowville Festival which has announced its second year.
It’s clear Missen is going to “bop along” for some time yet.
Well deserved.