Meet Jay & Vicki Allen Presenting Sponsors Of Spring Awakening

We’re grateful for the support of Jay and Vicki, longtime Clear Space Theatre patrons and passionate advocates for the arts. They have been production sponsors for many years and this year are sponsors of our current production of Spring Awakening. We asked them to share a bit about their journey with Clear Space and what this show means to them.

What inspired you to choose to sponsor Spring Awakening?

We’ve always liked to sponsor a show that is edgy, has a message, and is not considered a mainstream show.

How did you first get involved with Clear Space Theatre?

When we moved to Rehoboth, we were looking for a theatre to become involved with. We became friends with Carl Schloegel while singing with the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, and he introduced us to the venue. We attended shows, became season ticket holders, and soon began sponsoring housing and food for the summer artists. Jay enjoys being on stage, but with his career as a chef, he wasn’t able to commit to productions—so he applied and was accepted as a member of the Board of Directors. (Jay served on the CSTC board from 2021 through 2025.)

What role does the arts play in your own life—either personally or as a couple?

As long as we can each remember, we have been involved with music and theatre.

Jay performed in high school and sang with SPEBSQSA. He later performed with a Gilbert and Sullivan troupe. He attended Eastman School of Music and continues to perform today in both straight shows and musicals in Florida. Now that his Board of Directors term have ended, he hopes to get back on the real “boards” at Clear Space.

Vicki sang in choirs and choruses from elementary school through high school, and performed with local operas, church drama groups, and musical productions. In college, she worked backstage with set construction and costumes. She’s still active with several theatres in Florida.

We are currently in a production of Kinky Boots in Largo, Florida.

What would you tell someone who’s thinking about supporting the arts in their community?

Theatre and the arts in general are a great way to impact your community in a positive way. They provide a platform to bring people together—to grow in unity with better understanding of each other. As a bonus, you’ll become part of a group that freely gives of their time, talents, and creativity to share with others, while building lifelong friendships.

Have you seen Spring Awakening before? If so, what was your favorite thing about it? If not, what are you most excited to see on stage?

We first saw this show at the Hippodrome in Baltimore and were touched by its theme and message. We also enjoyed the music.

Spring Awakening deals with powerful and sometimes challenging themes—what do you hope audiences reflect on after seeing it?

This story, written in the late 1800s and set in Germany, is still relevant today. The setting may be different, but coming of age is still filled with anxiety. Today, the challenges of discovering your identity and wanting to fit in are made more difficult by a world bombarding you with too much information and too many idols.

What do you think makes Spring Awakening stand out or feel unique compared to other shows?

This show is filled with moments that make you think, and we hope it will inspire patrons to challenge themselves to be part of a positive change in the life of another.

What would you say to someone considering coming to see Spring Awakening at Clear Space Theatre?

Come with an open heart. Remember your own life story. Enjoy the music and go home a different person. You can help change the world, if you are willing to change your mind.