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Jobsite Theater's origami-centric play 'Animals Out of Paper' opens in Tampa next month

The company's 2021-22 season closer runs July 15-Aug. 7.

By Chloe Greenberg on Fri, Jun 24, 2022 at 12:21 pm

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Photo by Ned Averill-Snell

Nicole Jeannine Smith as Ilana, Cornelio "Coky" Aguilera as Andy (bowtie), and Faizan Basheer as Suresh (blue jacket) in Rajiv Joseph's 'Animals Out of Paper.'

If you’re itching for a story filled with quirky romance, a little hopelessness and a child prodigy, Tampa’s Jobsite Theater's 2021-22 season closer is the show for you.

“Animals Out of Paper” will premiere at the David A. Straz Center in downtown Tampa on July 15 and run through Aug. 7.

The play follows Ilana, a world-renowned origami artist riding the lows of a divorce, a lost dog and minimal socialization. She’s met by fan and high school teacher Andy who brings her Suresh, a teen origami prodigy, and then unfolds a story of mismatched pairings, hurting and healing with those around us.
“Animals Out of Paper” is inspired by the work of Rajiv Joseph, Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo,” and is directed by Jobsite ensemble member Tatiana Baccari, making their directorial debut for the theater. Baccari serves as artistic director of Experimental Bitch Presents and was a 2020-21 Creative Pinellas Emerging Artist. The play stars Nicole Jeannine Smith, Cornelio “Coky” Aguilera and Faizan Basheer, making his Jobsite debut.

“Animals Out of Paper” will run in the Shimberg Playhouse at the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, located at 1010 N MacInnes Pl. in Tampa. Tickets start at $39.50 and are available now.