Robert Neal Marshall graduated from New York University Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in film. Early projects took him to Berlin, Germany for Regina Ziegler Productions, with multiple Industrials for Chicago based Jack Lieb Productions. In the mid 1980’s Marshall had a rare opportunity in London’s West End as Assistant to Theatrical Producer Richard Armitage on several hit shows, including ME AND MY GIRL with Robert Lindsay and Emma Thompson.

As an Independent Producer, Marshall has mounted stage productions in the West End at the Donmar Warehouse, at the famed Edinburgh Festival, and back in the US. Several of his documentary films include the biographical MR OCEAN LINER which premiered on board Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and screened at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center. His more recent doc, BACK FROM THE LIGHT, on the aftereffects of surviving a near death experience, has received critical acclaim and is the topic of several inspirational talks.

As Casting Associate with Pat Moran, CSA (HAIRSPRAY, THE WIRE) Marshall was a member of the team to win an Emmy® award for casting GAME CHANGE and an Emmy® nomination for casting season one of the comedy VEEP, both for HBO.

Marshall worked on independent feature films and shorts as Production Manager and Line producer. As a SAG-AFTRA, Equity actor Marshall enjoyed professional gigs in-between that included Off-Broadway & Regional stage, film and television roles, including HOUSE OF CARDS. For 10 years Marshall has been a guest lecturer for the Cunard Insights Enrichment Program.

Many Columbia Festival of the Arts guests may know Marshall as LakeFest Emcee. However, in 2012, Festival Executive Director Nichole Hickey recruited Marshall from Pat Moran Casting to act as Programming Manger. Following a series of staff & leadership changes, Marshall would eventually return as Marketing Consultant and Executive Producer of the Columbia Film Festival, a welcome responsibility he will continue in his new role as Managing Director. Marshall is a 27 year Howard County resident and lives in Columbia with his Husband of 34 years, and a 5lb rescue Chihuahua (who he met on a film set) that has more Instagram followers than he does!