We’re so happy to announce the elevation of two current ensemble members to the ranks of our Artistic Associates: Emily Belvo and Matthew Ray!
Emily Belvo was most recently seen as Nina in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and along with Producing Artistic Director David Jenkins was the first to privately read Israel Horovitz’s new play The Day Before Yesterday when the acclaimed writer and director was in residence with the company in January. Emily started her acting career with Eckerd Theater Company, a touring children’s theater group dedicated to educating children of all ages. Emily has acted in the Tampa area for the past four years and has worked with such companies as Hat Trick Theatre Productions (Unnecessary Farce, Noises Off!, and Proof), Tampa Repertory Theatre (The Children’s Hour, Bethany, Hamlet), Ghostlight Theatre Company (A Haunting at the Meteor and All In a Day’s Work) and an independent production of Oleanna, staged at freeFall Theatre. With Jobsite Emily has also been seen in The Last Night at Ballyhoo, Orlando, and Occupation.
Matthew Ray has served as company manager for Jobsite since 2012. He graduated from USF with a BA in Theater Arts and a BA in French Language. He has also branched out into directing, most recently with Almost an Evening. He has also worked on TampaWrights with TRT2 and TampaWorks with Stageworks. More than just a stage manager, Matthew has been an invaluable part of the team for the past four years contributing to show direction, sound, video, and props. In many ways Matthew serves as David M. Jenkins’ right hand as well as his eyes and ears when the Producing Artistic Director is not around. Matthew lives in Tampa with his boyfriend Gregory and their pride of cats; Oberon, Puck, Titania and Helena.
From Jenkins: “I am so happy to honor both of these damn fine people as Artistic Associates of the company. Their contributions recently have truly gone above and beyond, and I sincerely look forward to them becoming even more integral to the company. Em was in half of mainstage shows last season and just turned in a stellar performance in Vanya. I also cannot thank her enough for contributions this year to the play selection committee — she was a vital part of our selection process for 2016-17 — and giving up time to help Israel in hearing his new play for the first time.
Matthew is typically the first to arrive and last to leave during rehearsal hours and manages to contribute to productions at just about every level. I was so happy to be able to add Matthew on as a regular paid employee, it has freed me up in many ways to know he is there at the theater keeping an eye and hand on things even when I am not around. He brings a keen eye and a bright mind into the rehearsal room, and I am looking forward to him contributing at a higher level as part of our play selection committee.”
