Mimi Harlow Robinson '14
For many, the path from graduation to a career in the arts is a winding one. For Mimi Harlow Robinson ‘14, that path has stretched from the black box theaters of Warrenton to the bustling streets of New York City, and eventually to the historic stages of London. Today, Mimi is a freelance creative, actor, and collaborator. She was kind enough to sit down with us to talk about how her experiences in the Halls of Highland led her to where she is today.
Finding Her Voice at Highland
Mimi’s foundation in the arts was built right here at Highland School. Reflecting on her time with The Highland Players, she credits Mr. and Mrs. Hughes for fostering an environment that was as professional as it was supportive.
Mimi’s foundation in the arts was built right here at Highland School. Reflecting on her time with The Highland Players, she credits Mr. and Mrs. Hughes for fostering an environment that was as professional as it was supportive.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hughes took me seriously; they built me up," Mimi recalls. "So many colleagues I met had high school experiences that broke them down, but that was never my experience. I felt like a collaborator, not just a student getting a pat on the head."
One of Mimi’s most vivid memories involves a production of The Sound of Music. Cast as Maria, Mimi lost her voice just before the show. Rather than canceling, Mr. Hughes pivoted. Mimi acted and mouthed the words while her mother read lines from the sound booth and her castmates sang her songs.
"I learned then that you just go out and do it for the team. It felt like there wasn't a path forward, but with creativity and gumption, anything is possible."
Beyond this seriousness with which Highland approached the arts, Mimi also valued its inclusive community. She fondly recalled how students who might not consider themselves a “theater kid”–say, the captain of a state finalist soccer team–would still audition for the spring musical and commit themselves to it with all of the dedication of someone who had been acting for years.
From UVA to the Big Apple
From UVA to the Big Apple
Mimi took that spirit to the University of Virginia, where she earned her degree in Drama in 2018. While she started in English, she pivoted to a burgeoning screenwriting and filmmaking program for her capstone. At UVA, she took every opportunity to "make things," including directing an interactive, outdoor production of Pride and Prejudice—a project that continues to influence her work today.
After graduation, Mimi headed to New York City with no job and no connections, working everywhere from children’s birthday parties to comedy clubs. Her breakthrough came through a mix of networking and hard work, landing a role with the Broadway Artist Alliance (BAA). There, she worked alongside Tony Award winners and top casting directors, gaining an inside look at how the industry truly operates.
Her hustle didn't stop there. Through a long thread of networking, she secured a position with the Montclair Film Festival. "I went from sweeping floors in a basement to a fundraising event at the home of Stephen and Evie Colbert," she laughs. "I just wanted to be in the room where stories were being told."
Pivoting Through the Pandemic
Pivoting Through the Pandemic
When COVID-19 shuttered theaters, Mimi didn't stop creating. She helped BAA transition to virtual workshops and turned to TikTok as a creative outlet. Her deep dives into Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice gained such a following that the New York Times recently reached out to her for a statement in an article celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2005 film adaptation. (Read it here.)
The London Chapter
The London Chapter
After COVID, Mimi's journey took her across the pond. She earned a spot at the world-renowned London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), graduating in 2024.
Now living in London, Mimi balances a vibrant freelance career. She runs a successful online audition coaching business; works as a personal assistant and disability advocate; and, assists with grant writing and creative projects. Most of all, though–just like during her time at Highland–Mimi is a community-builder, creating her "found family" in the UK.
Mimi’s ultimate goal? To start a theater company from the ground up with a fellow expat. While she admits an HBO deal would be nice, her heart lies in the craft. "If it’s a blockbuster, great," she says, "but if it’s ephemeral, that’s okay too."
A Message to Current Hawks
Mimi’s advice to current Highland students is simple: take yourself seriously, because your mentors already do. Even years after graduation, Highland faculty like Ms. Campbell and the Hughes family were still supporting her, even sending costume pieces to her productions at UVA.
Mimi’s advice to current Highland students is simple: take yourself seriously, because your mentors already do. Even years after graduation, Highland faculty like Ms. Campbell and the Hughes family were still supporting her, even sending costume pieces to her productions at UVA.
"My teachers were invested in me even after I left Highland," Mimi says. "Because they took me seriously, nothing I’ve had to do since has felt overwhelming."
Highland School
597 Broadview Avenue
Warrenton, Virginia 20186
General: 540-878-2700
Fax: 540-878-2731
Admission: 540-878-2740
beyourself@highlandschool.org
Warrenton, Virginia 20186
General: 540-878-2700
Fax: 540-878-2731
Admission: 540-878-2740
beyourself@highlandschool.org
Highland School is a co-ed independent Pre-K2 to Grade 12 day school located in Warrenton, Virginia.
©2025 Highland School. All Rights Reserved.