Clinton Hill Theater Group JACK Wins An OBIE Award And Grant

Photo courtesy of Alec Duffy.

Congratulations are in order for JACK, the three-year-old Clinton Hill-based theater and arts group that just won its first OBIE Award (the Oscars of Off-Broadway theater)!

The award came in the form of a plaque and a $2,500 OBIE Grant — one of two awarded each year to an outstanding arts organization and arts venue — and was presented to a thrilled JACK Artistic Director Alec Duffy at a ceremony this past Monday, May 18.

Artistic Director Alec Duffy and Business Manager Shauntee Henry accepting the award at Webster Hall on May 18, 2015. (Photo courtesy of JACK.)

“This is the highest award that goes to off-broadway and off off broadway theater,” explained Duffy. “It was nerve-wracking to speak on stage to over 500 people, but it was a real joy.

“It was a struggle to get on our feet as a small arts organization with nearly no capital, so to be at this point three years in to get recognized with this award means a lot,” he added. “It signifies to me that our work is starting to pay off, people are starting to take notice, and our work is becoming more known by the larger community.”

The award was presented to Duffy by actress Lea DeLaria from the hit Netflix series, “Orange Is The New Black;” in her presentation speech, DeLaria declared “It’s all happening in Clinton Hill” and said that JACK’s theater, music, and dance offerings, and eclectic nature overall, is one of the reasons why they chose them for the award.

“It’s because it’s clear we’re reaching many different audiences with our work,” Duffy said. “A large part of our [current] season is devoted to social justice, like Forward Ferguson, so i think that’s something they were looking to commend.”

The $2,500 grant money will support JACK’s artists fees for those performing in the space at 505 1/2 Waverly Avenue, as well as support marketing efforts throughout the neighborhood.

While the money will be visible in the performances we see on stage, the OBIE plaque will also be visible, mounted in the theater’s entryway.

Next up? A partnership with Atlantic Terminal Community Center at Carlton and Atlantic — the kickoff event planned for Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30pm with performing artists getting seven minutes each to present music, dance, and spoken word. It’s JACK’s first time moving out of the Waverly Avenue space into the surrounding community. Let’s support them!