Playbill: Joseph Blakely Forbes to Receive 2019 Tony Honor

Originally published by Playbill. April 29, 2019.

Michael McElroy and the Broadway Inspirational Voices (Joseph Marzullo/WENN)

The 2019 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre will be given to four contributors to the Broadway industry: Broadway Inspirational Voices, founded by Michael McElroy; Peter Entin, retired vice president of Theatre Operations for the Shubert Organization; Joseph Blakely Forbes, founder and president of Scenic Art Studios, Inc.; and FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9.

The Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre, established in 1990, are awarded annually to institutions, individuals, and/or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in theatre, but are not eligible in any of the established Tony Award categories.

“We are thrilled to present the 2019 Tony Honors to such an incredible group this year...the unsung heroes of our community,” said Heather Hitchens, president of the American Theatre Wing and Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League, in a statement. “Their contributions to our industry are invaluable and they are each beyond deserving of this recognition.”

Joseph Forbes became a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 in 1979, and began his professional career at Nolans Scenery Studios, where he painted several Broadway productions including Annie, Cats, A Chorus Line, and Evita. In 1994, Forbes founded Scenic Art Studios, Inc. which has become the premiere scene painting studio for Broadway scenery. Since its inception, the company has created backdrops, sculptures, and painted built scenery for more than 350 Broadway productions. Productions include Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots, Hello Dolly, A Bronx Tale, School of Rock, Beetlejuice, and Beautiful. Forbes founded The Studio and Forum of Scenic Arts in 2004, a not-for-profit school, where he still is an instructor.