
In a world where Broadway stages glow with talent and ambition, Robert Valderas III has found his stride, skillfully stepping into the challenging role of a swing in the national Broadway tour of "Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations," set to play at Bass Performance Hall on Feb. 11–16.
This electrifying musical, which chronicles the rise of The Temptations from their humble beginnings in Detroit to their reign as one of the most influential groups in soul music, is more than just a job for Robert – it’s the culmination of years of love for the music, the choreography, and the story of these iconic men.
Raised in the Richardson area, Robert’s journey to the stage wasn’t a typical one – if that’s even a thing. Football was his first love. He played defensive end at Jenks High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before an unexpected detour led him to musical theater.
“One of my coaches was a fullback coach, and he did show choir when he was in high school. He told me about it, and I auditioned for it,” Robert opined during a phone interview. “That’s where it all started.”
That chance audition led to a role in “Seussical” during his junior year, and before long, Robert traded his football pads for a musical theater spotlight.
But Robert’s decision to be on stage wasn’t immediate. In fact, Robert had already been accepted to study criminal justice in college post-graduation. But as graduation day neared, something inside him shifted.
“I just felt this pull,” he says. “I hadn’t done enough yet in musical theater. It just clicked.” With a last-minute audition, he earned his place in a college musical theater program, a decision that would chart the course for his future.
But it would be the music he grew up with, the music from his past, that would place Robert in the shoes of several soul-singing legends.
He’s a self-proclaimed lifelong fan of The Temptations, with a seven-hour playlist on Spotify dedicated to their hits. From “My Girl” to “Just My Imagination,” these timeless tracks were the soundtrack to his youth. Yet it wasn’t until he saw the national tour of “Ain’t Too Proud” in 2024 that he realized this wasn’t just a show – it was his dream role.
“Eddie Kendricks would be my dream role,” he shared. “I’ve always wanted to play him. All of his songs are my favorites.”

Johan Persson
For Robert, the opportunity to join the cast was nothing short of destiny. By August of that year, he was in rehearsals, ready to hit the road with the cast, and by September, he was performing in front of live audiences. His role as a swing cast member is both thrilling and demanding.
For the uninitiated, a swing is someone who understudies multiple roles, stepping in at a moment’s notice when a cast member is unavailable.
“I cover three roles,” he explains. “Eddie Kendricks, Smokey Robinson/Damon Harris, and Barry Gordy. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it’s also a chance to learn from everyone around you.”
Being a swing, Robert says, is like stepping into a high-stakes game. It’s about more than just being prepared — it’s about staying sharp and seizing every opportunity.
“You never know when you’ll be called to step in,” he says, “but when you do, it’s like being subbed in during a big game. You’ve got to perform at the highest level, every time.”
This approach to his craft is shaped by his time playing football.
“Football taught me discipline and how to take criticism without taking it personally,” Robert says. “Musical theater can be the same way. You get a lot of ‘no’s, but you learn how to bounce back, to take those notes and keep moving forward.”
For those unaware of the story behind “Ain’t Too Proud,” the musical tells the remarkable story of The Temptations, whose signature harmonies and choreography made them legends. The musical traces their rise to fame, the personal struggles that threatened to tear the group apart, and the turbulence of the 1960s and 70s, all set to the beat of their iconic hits like “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and the show’s title “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Robert’s deep dive into the history of the group has made him an even bigger fan. He’s immersed himself in the stories behind the music, researching the lives of The Temptations and their collaborators to bring authenticity to his performances.
“Learning about the lives of the guys has been so eye-opening,” he shares. “Especially the heartbreak behind songs like ‘I Wish It Would Rain.’ I didn’t realize the depth of that song until we learned the story behind it. The songwriter, a man named Norman Whitfield, wrote it after a personal tragedy, and that really adds a layer of emotion to it when we sing it.”
As he continues to perform, Robert’s admiration for the production and his colleagues grows. He’s particularly grateful for the guidance of Lowe’s Moore, who plays Eddie Kendricks full-time.
“Lowe’s is such a mentor to me. He’s so talented, and he’s always willing to help,” he says. “It’s been an incredible learning experience.”
While Robert may be in the wings for now, he’s thinking ahead. The world of Broadway, national tours, and possibly a cruise ship residency create a melody of endless possibilities in this young performer’s mind.
“I would love to keep performing. Broadway, tours, anything. I love musical theater and I’m grateful to be doing it,” he says. “I’ve learned so much on this tour, and it’s only confirmed for me that this is what I want to do.”