Entertainment Careers Afterschool Program ECAP Future Workforce Program

Carl Clay

Carl Clay has been a significant force in the theater and independent film movement in the U.S. for almost two decades, and his creative use of theater, film, video, and music has resulted in numerous awards. As founder and executive producer of Black Spectrum Theatre, he has produced over 300 theatrical productions that have been performed in New York City and throughout the U.S. His motion pictures and videos have been screened at various national and international TV and film festivals.

Often referred to as a multi-talented creative force, Carl Clay has produced, written, and directed a total of 20 short and feature-length films, several of which are included in the video library. In acknowledgment of his social marketing skills, he was awarded the 1999 Community Enterprise Award for Community Spirit by the City of New York.

As the founder and CEO of Black Spectrum Theatre, Mr. Clay has trained over 1,000 actors. His feature-length film is available on video. He's produced over 30 jazz concerts with such artists as Roy Ayers, Carl Thomas, and Roberta Flack. To his credit, Mr. Clay helped launch the careers of such notable actors as Lisa Carson ("The Ally McBeal Show") in her first feature film, Desiree Coleman ("Mamma, I Want to Sing"), David Baptist (WB Network) and Byron Mims ("Fences," produced on Broadway).

He's been awarded an Audelco Award for production of the year for the theatre production "Deadwood Dick, Legend of the West." He's received an ASCAP music Lyricist award for his songs in the motion picture "Coffy" and a first-place Lyricist Award in the Annual Women's Media for the ABCTV Special Turkey Treasure. He also received a National Library Association Award for his groundbreaking film, Babies Making Babies, and a TV Festival Bronze Medal Award for "The Follower" and "Clear Vision," two films about male responsibility in teen pregnancy.

In 2001, Mr. Clay's films "Urban Encounters (What to Do if You Get Stopped by the Police)" and "Justice is Done" were given National Black Programming PBS Awards for outstanding youth programming. Mr. Clay has also been a recipient of numerous city, state, and civic citations for outstanding professional achievement. Mr. Clay has served as a volunteer for the National March of Dimes, The Brady Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, The New York City Teen Pregnancy Task Force, Operation Read Aloud, and The American Health Foundation. He's a member of the Los Angeles IATSE Union, a Prince Hall Mason, and a contributor to the development of the Jamaica Performing Arts Center.

"I offer my shoulder for the new generation of artists to stand on, as I have stood on the shoulders of my ancestors and mentors!"—Carl Clay, Founder.