Despite taking 17 units this semester, Robert Hart still finds time to star in “Flowers for Algernon” in “The One-Act Plays.” Hart believes that he has found his calling in life.

“I was set since high school to what I wanted to do. Everyone has a purpose and I feel in my heart that this is what I am supposed to be doing. This is my purpose,” Hart said.

Hart started his acting career four years ago at Saint Bernard High School when he auditioned for the play “Dracula.”

“I thought that I would just audition and that would be it but I ended up getting the role of Dracula,” Hart said.

Ever since he started acting he has faced many doubts.

“You are always going to have people tell you ‘what if you do not make it’ or that it is not a steady job and to consider something else and that is a big challenge because it can be detrimental to an actor because then it will not inspire them to keep going,” Hart said.

While Hart has been discouraged, his family has always been supportive.

“My dad has always encouraged me to try different things to find what my passion might be,” Hart said.

One of the people who has motivated Hart to continue his acting career when he started attending EC is, Ronald A. Scarlata, fine arts professor.

“He’s an excellent student. He is playing the role of ‘Charlie’ in ‘Flowers of Algernon’ who is mentally disabled and who becomes a genius after going through an operation and he [Hart] is taking the role exceptionally well,” Scarlata said.

His mother, Ana Hart, expresses how she feels about his acting career.

“At the beginning he was a bit nervous but as he seasoned and mature, he has learned so much from his instructors and he is his most critical judge. He likes perfection,” Ana said.

Hart will be starring as Charlie, the lead role for the play in “Flowers for Algernon,” as part of “The One Act Plays” on Oct. 10 and 11.

“I think it is a very powerful play and I am glad to be a part of it. I am very excited for people to experience it and to be able to perform with my cast who have put in so much time and effort for one another,” Hart, said. “There always needs to be a sense of honesty with every character and that’s what I want to portray when I step onto stage.”