History & Distinctions
Jobsite began out of contacts made while David M. Jenkins and Michael Caban studied at the University of South Florida in the early 1990s. Several years after graduation they re-connected, talked about putting up a show, and brought others on board. In an experimental attempt, Jobsite put together a double-bill performed in the intimate Silver Meteor Gallery in Ybor City. Stunned by the critical-acclaim and community support, they began to plan a full season and organize as a company (learn where our name comes from).
1999
Jobsite performed for the first time at the Straz Center’s Shimberg Playhouse (then the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center’s Off Center Theater). Jobsite split time between the Meteor and Off Center for the remainder of their first and second seasons. In that 99-00 season, TBPAC President Judy Lisi invited Jobsite to perform on their Play Series, where they would partner over the next few seasons.- “The Mouse That Roared Like a Lion” Award – The Tampa Tribune
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best New Theater Company
2001
Jobsite takes it’s first original production Off-Broadway, Joe Popp’s MAXWELL, to Galapagos Arts Space.
- Editorial Nomination and #3 in Citysearch’s 2001 Best Performing Arts Venue or Company
- Arts Council of Hillsborough County Individual Artist Grant – Artistic Director, David M. Jenkins
2003
Encouraged by both the quality work and box office success, Jobsite was named official resident theater company of the Straz as of the 2003–04 season.
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company
- Business Journal of Tampa Bay 30 Under 30 – Artistic Director, David M. Jenkins
2004
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company
- Business Journal of Tampa Bay 30 Under 30 – Artistic Associate, Shawn Paonessa
- Arts Council of Hillsborough County Individual Artist Grant – Artistic Associate, Katrina Stevenson
2006
- Best Theater Company (also Reader’s Pick runner–up)
- Best Artistic Direction – David M. Jenkins
2007
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company
- Urban Excellence Award Finalist – Downtown Tampa Partnership
2008
- Urban Excellence Award Winner – Downtown Tampa Partnership
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Artistic Director – David M. Jenkins
2009
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company Editor’s Choice (also Reader’s Poll Runner-up)
2010
Jobsite returns Off-Broadway to HERE Arts Center for a producer showcase of Pericles.
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company, Reader’s Poll Runner-Up
2013
Jobsite’s Annual Campaign began.
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Artistic Director – David M. Jenkins
2014
Jobsite makes the final round for the NEA’s prestigious Shakespeare in American Communities Award for the first time.- American Theatre Wing – National Theatre Company Grant Finalist
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Stage Director, Reader’s Poll – David M. Jenkins
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Set Designer, Reader’s Poll – Brian Smallheer
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company, Reader’s Poll Runner-Up
2015
The Producing Artistic Director position became a full 40-hour a week paid position.- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company
2016
- BroadwayWorld Tampa Regional Award – Best Professional Theater Company
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Link with the Greater Theater World: Jobsite and Israel Horovitz
2017
Jobsite helped launch the Tampa International Fringe Festival.- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Moment When Local Theater Turned a Corner – Tampa International Fringe Festival (presented by Jobsite Theater)
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company, Reader’s Choice, Runner-up
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Local Director, Reader’s Choice Runner-up – David M. Jenkins
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Local Lighting Designer, Reader’s Choice Runner-up – Ryan Finzelber
2018
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Live Theater You Missed Because You Were Netflix and Chilling – Tampa International Fringe Festival (presented by Jobsite Theater)
2019
- Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best – Best Local Theater
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company, Reader's Choice
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Stage Director, Reader's Choice – David M. Jenkins
2020
Jobsite was one of the first theaters in the nation to safely re-open after the pandemic lockdown.- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company, Reader's Choice
2021
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company – Runner-up
2022
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Theater Company, Reader's Choice
2023
- Urban Excellence Award, Arts and Culture Finalist – Tampa Downtown Partnership
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Reader's Poll – Best Stage Director – David M. Jenkins
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Reader's Poll – Best Professional Theater Company Finalist
- BroadwayWorld Nominated – Favorite Local Theater Company
2024
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay – Best Stage Director – David Jenkins
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Finalist – Best Professional Theater Company
