a look at...
Bob Devin Jones
Photography by Win Wolloff
Bob Devin Jones, who was born and raised in Los
Angeles, has spent four decades acting and directing.
In 1993, he wrote his first play, a one-man show
highlighting the Black experience, which he performed
around the country and in Cork, Ireland. In 1996, he
came to St. Petersburg to direct a play for American
Stage. While here, he met his partner, James Howell, and
decided to stay. In 2004, he founded The Studio@620 there
with his neighbor David Ellis. In the last 18 years, The
Studio@620 has accomplished many things creatively
and educationally, mirroring the community’s needs,
aspirations, achievements and strivings.
The idea for The Studio@620 grew out of a core belief
that art and diversity play a crucial role in the lives of
individuals and communities. As Jones says, “When
you pass through the doors of The Studio, look to be
entertained, educated, and challenged by art, heritage,
history, song, literature, theater, moving pictures and
moving bodies though space.”
While his Studio@620 has been a cornerstone for the
creative resurgence in St. Petersburg, he also has a baking
business, “Bob’s Cookies,” which sells his chocolate chip
delicacies at the Old Southeast Market. He served on
many boards such as freeFall Theatre (which held its first
productions at The Studio@620), American Stage, Creative
Clay, Palms of Pasadena Hospital, Morean Arts Center,
Florida CraftArt and First Night to name a few. As a result,
he has been awarded the key to the City of St. Petersburg
and the Bank of America Hero Award in addition to the
Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Award and the St.
Petersburg Arts Alliance’s MUSE Arts Award.
Jones also has acted numerous roles in Shakespeare
festivals across the country, including the lead of Othello at
the Berkeley Shakespeare Festival in California. The Studio
@620 also produced eight seasons of Black Nativity at The
Palladium at St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg.
What could you talk about for hours?
Architecture – it’s an avocation.
What is your favorite word?
Delicious, or kindness, which I believe is the highest virtue
What do you do on your day off?
Read, walk, take a stroll
122 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2021
What are you famous for?
My chocolate pecan walnut cookies, and for saying “yes”
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
You might as well do everything with joy since you have
to do it anyway, and that everyone has to stay calm.
What don’t people know about you?
I danced on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Writing my first play, Uncle Bend’s: A Home Cooked Negro
Narrative more than 30 years ago
How do you think other people would describe you?
Gregarious
What would you like to do that you have never done?
Sing professionally
How would you describe yourself?
As a good listener who is peaceful to be around
What do you wish you could do?
I wish I could be an architect.
What is your pet peeve?
People who are talking on the phone while crossing the
street
What talent do you wish you had?
I wish I could sing everything I had to say as a song.
What do you most treasure?
My partner of 24 years, Jamie Howell
What is the secret to your success?
I try to be humble.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
A history teacher
Who would you most like to meet?
Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle
What is your favorite thing to eat?
Grandmother Mimi’s sweet rice, or any type of bread
How would you like to be remembered?
As a kind person 9