Jobsite Theater | Who We Are

Who We Are

(L-R) Artistic Director David Jenkins,
Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, and Artistic
Associate Paul Potenza

"Jobsite represents the young, culturally exciting energy that the City of Tampa craves for downtown.... They have been working relentlessly to make their vision of Tampa as a vibrant art center a reality.... Tampa is proud to have The Jobsite Theater as a vibrant part of our expanding role as a center for excellence in the arts." – Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio

"A strong cultural community is critical... and The Jobsite Theater ranks high among those institutions that make Hillsborough County a better place to work and live." – Art Keeble, Executive Director, Arts Council of Hillsborough County

About Us

The Jobsite Theater is an incorporated professional, nonprofit 501(c)(3) theater company that has been serving the Tampa Bay area since 1998.

Jobsite has become a dominant regional presence through professionally produced daring and unique programming, by nurturing area talent through the creation of their Ensemble and by an unwavering commitment to the young "Creative Class" that Jobsite has been serving since their first steps.

One of Jobsite's main areas of emphasis is the creation of new works and the exploration of material that is often overlooked in the hustle to produce "what's hot" coming out of New York. The 2008-09 season will mark the tenth year Jobsite has dedicated an entire mainstage production to a non-published play (Pericles). Each season also hosts new or otherwise under-produced works by writers from around the world. Jobsite seeks submissions for new plays on a year-round basis.

History and Background

The Jobsite Theater began out of contacts made while David M. Jenkins and Michael Caban studied at the University of South Florida. Several years after their graduations, contact was re-established and several other artists were brought on board. In an experimental attempt, Jobsite put together their first two plays in a double-bill that was performed at the intimate Silver Meteor Gallery in Ybor City. Jobsite was stunned at the critical and audience support they garnered in their debut and immediately began planning a full season and organizing themselves as a company.

In 1999, Jobsite performed their first play at the Shimberg Playhouse (then the Off Center Theater). That play, Brownbread, ran late nights after another performance and ended up attracting a few sold out audiences. Jobsite split time between the Silver Meteor and the Off Center for the remainder of their first and start of their second seasons. In that 99-00 season, TBPAC President Judy Lisi invited Jobsite to perform Accidental Death of an Anarchist as part of The Center’s Play Series. Due to that show's success, Jobsite and The Center partnered on several shows as part of that Play Series including Dracula, Titus Andronicus and The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Encouraged by both the quality work and brisk sales, TBPAC named Jobsite official resident theater company in the Shimberg Playhouse as of the 2003–04 season.

Jobsite was founded as an artist's company, and therefore the nine-member appointed board of directors is comprised of artists of varying disciplines. The board ensures the overall health and direction of the organization and meets monthly to discuss business.

Jobsite works exclusively with local talent. They have assembled an ensemble that in their 2008–09 season was over 30 artists strong who assist Jobsite in all elements of theatrical production. Jobsite has an internship program in place where theater artists in educational programs may come to learn and get hands-on production experience, with a possibility of becoming an Ensemble Member upon completion of the program. Another unique part of Jobsite’s relationship with TBPAC is that students at TBPAC’s Patel Conservatory are given hands-on technical training on our stage.

Mission Statement

The Jobsite Theater is dedicated to the creation of socially and politically relevant theater and the pursuit of performing it to the broadest possible audience. Jobsite has established and will continue to evolve a collective of like-minded artists, creating a supportive environment where artists of all disciplines may experiment, hone, and apply their skills in a professional laboratory environment.

Through all forms of theater – be it experimental, new plays, contemporary works or the classics – Jobsite hopes to inspire their community to become not just consumers, but true citizens.

Audience

Jobsite's primary demographic is young adults 18 - 35; however, the quality of Jobsite's innovative theatrical productions attracts audiences of all ages and backgrounds. In Jobsite's eight-year history, the theater company has developed a strong base of support from a loyal following of patrons, drawing sell-out houses to a majority of their performances. Jobsite maintains an active mailing list over 8,000.

Awards

Jobsite has consistently earned positive feedback, including numerous critic/staff choice Best of the Bay awards from Creative Loafing: Best Theater Company ('04, '06 and '07), Best Artistic Direction, Best Costumes, Best Hilarious Theater Production, Most Impassioned Theater Fans, Best Play, Best Director and Best Actor/Actress.

Jobsite has also collected 28 Best of the Bay awards between 1999 and 2008. In 2008, Jobsite was awarded an Urban Excellence Award from the Downtown Tampa Partnership. See more about our distinctions.

Funding Support

The organization receives support from ticket sales, contributions and in-kind trade. Current Jobsite season sponsors include Creative Loafing, Discount Printing and Graphics and Bright House Networks. Jobsite is very eager to expand their donor base in both the public and private spheres. Interested parties may email Jobsite for more details or read a more about giving opportunities.

Long-Range Plan

In 2004, Jobsite toured its
smash-hit A Girl's Guide to
Chaos to Fort Lauderdale.

Jobsite intends on producing a full eight-play season every year, with one slot dedicated to a new script and the hope that 2 more productions per year be either unpublished or new works to the area.

Jobsite is also developing an Ensemble Program with their artists, which will hopefully soon become a consistent second stage for new voices. Jobsite has also begun a touring program which they hope will give them a state-wide impact.

Over the next five years Jobsite seeks to increase it's funding on all levels, particularly in the realm of private and business donors as well as local, state and federal grants with the hope of adding full-time paid staff and acquiring its own office and production space. Jobsite wants an artistic home to create a strong, cutting-edge regional theater in Tampa. Jobsite also intends on dedicating itself to both the theater professional as well as aspiring theatrical artists - working out agreements with the various theatrical labor unions, and further developing an ensemble-based theater artist training program.