Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Sticks of Fire spoke to Jobsite Theater Chair David Jenkins about the group’s beginnings and their future direction. This is the third in a short series.
Previous installments:
introduction
how it started

Tampa – City of the Arts
Jobsite wants Tampa to truly become a “City of the Arts.” Encouraging and fostering local talent will create such a community. Each member of Jobsite’s appointed board of directors is an artist of varying discipline. One in five plays are written by locals, and the others are given a Tampa Bay flavor from the 20 to 30 natives for each show. Not to mention paid local actors will spend their earnings right here in our city.

Jenkins says that Seattle and Chicago were not always considered “serious” theater cities, yet both now have thriving scenes. He envisions the same for Tampa, and hopes the area becomes so successful that artists flock to here for work.

In addition to attracting some of the best accomplished local artists, Jobsite also has an internship program allowing area students to learn and get hands-on experience in are areas of a production. Their relationship with the new Patel Conservatory is beneficial too, giving Jobsite access to art students, while giving the art school use of Jobsite’s sets. In addition, once the internships are completed, the students can apply to become an Ensemble Member.

Coming next: The shows

Support local live theater: Buy tickets to The March of the Kitefliers playing this weekend at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, and introduce a friend to Jobsite.