Robert’s professional journey began when he booked his first guest stars on Spike’s "1,000 Ways to Die" and Lifetime’s "My Crazy Ex." Soon after, he was elevated to leading man status in his first feature, "Safari." Rob now boasts a robust resume including credits such as "Frat House Musical" for Subway, the web series "Sketch Juice," feature film "Back to Awesome," and Cinemax’s "The Girl's Guide to Depravity." Watkins racked up 191 episodes in his two and a half years as Dillon Quartermaine on ABC’s iconic "General Hospital" and most recently starred in the action thriller "Last Three Days." Robert also has a pilot under his belt, with CW Seed’s "Cupid's Match," starring as the titular Cupid. He shot a comedy pilot called "Green Valley" and had a supporting role in Lifetime’s "Finding Mr. Wonderful" in 2019. He also appeared on "Extra" as a guest host, interviewing Chris Pine on the red carpet.
Center for the Arts
The Henrico Center for the Arts was established in 1990 as Henrico County’s first high school specialty center. The program serves as Henrico County’s leading performing and visual arts center by providing intensive, in-depth arts training in dance, musical theatre, theatre and visual arts. CFA students can obtain and maintain the highest level of artistic and academic achievement in their specialized arts curriculum, enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities, resident and guest faculties, numerous performance and internship opportunities and arts-infused core academic courses. The center employs a rigorous program of study that meets and exceeds VDOE standards for a Virginia high school diploma and prepares students to pursue the arts in higher education and arts-related careers.
Program Highlights
Four-year course of study in one CFA discipline area — Dance, Musical Theatre, Theatre or Visual Arts — with the opportunity to enroll in more than one discipline as an upperclassman.
CFA discipline classes meet daily for 90 minutes and are worth two honors-weighted credits
Classes are taught by a faculty of professional arts educators actively involved in the local arts community, supplemented by workshops and master classes led by guest or visiting artists.
Opportunity to take elective courses unique to the CFA program including CFA Show Choir Honors; Stagecraft & Production Honors; Entertainment, Design & Technology Honors; and dual-enrollment Modern Humanities and dual-enrollment Women & Gender Studies.
No academic prerequisites to audition or apply; however, Algebra I in eighth grade is recommended.
Emphasis is placed on exhibiting or displaying student work in gallery shows and stage performances.
Senior performance showcase and art gallery exhibit are student-driven efforts that serve as a capstone project at the end of senior year.
Opportunity to take core academic arts-infused courses.
Opportunity to travel and to participate in internships, festivals, competitions, workshops and master classes locally, regionally, nationally and globally.
Friends of Center for the Arts is a 501(c)3 booster organization that provides teacher and student support, and scholarships to graduating seniors.
Student mastery of artistic skills necessary for successful art careers and higher education, including the "soft skills" that will serve them in any career path. These are qualities are part of HCPS' commitment to ensuring that all students are life-ready.
Guest Artists
Part of the CFA student experience is being taught by guest artists, including professionals in the arts community, college professors and other specialists in the arts. Below is a listing of some guest artists who have taught special classes to CFA students:
Alumni
CFA alumni: please let us know what you are doing in the arts world. We would love to share your story with the CFA community.
Where are they now?
Robert Palmer Watkins (attended CFA from 2003-05)
Stanley Rayfield
Stanley Rayfield realized his love for art early in life, pursuing his passion before graduating from high school. In 2009, Stanley graduated from the nationally ranked fine arts program at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in communication arts. He furthered his study by undergoing intensive training in classical realism through Grand Central Atelier in Long Island, N.Y. Stanley cites his Christian faith and the likes of Henry O. Tanner and John Singer Sargent as sources of inspiration.
Stanley’s photo-realistic portraits capture the soul and spirit of the subject. He has permanent work exhibited in many locations, including the Pentagon, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Morris Museum of Art and Virginia Commonwealth University. Stanley commissioned the official portrait of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, on display at Virginia's Capitol.