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Once upon a time there were two ambitious, rambunctious brothers, Joe and Paul DeClercq, they lived next door to Jack Craig, Owner of Oakland United Studios. Jack Craig had been around theatre since "the old days" as a ticket taker for United Artists, he grew into maintaining the theatres and becoming a stage hand. Jack eventually started his own company, Oakland United Studios, fabrication, repair and maintenance of theatre drapery, rigging and hardware. |
| The DeClercq's loved hearing the stories Jack told of building beautiful theatres all over the world, of being part of the entertainment industry and of travel and studio owners and managers he'd met. Jack, an opportunist in his own right, put these two boys to work for him in the 60's, and there the DeClercq brothers stayed. Indeed, those DeClercq boys loved the "magic" of creating theatres. DeClercq's Theatrical Specialties, Inc. began in 1987 when brothers Joe and Paul DeClercq left Jack Craig, Oakland United Studios to start their own company. |
 
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Since then, the DeClercq's have established themselves as a reputable theatre rigging and maintenance company. In 1992, DeClercq's acquired Oakland United Studios (Jack finally retired) and with the acquisition came their friend, Dorothy "Dottie" Jessup (Jack's daughter), the acquisition merged the oldest and best in the theatrical specialties industry. Here's what they have to say: Joe DeClercq-"This work brings out the McGyver in me. It's great adapting what someone already has to what they need." Paul DeClercq-"I like the challenge. Every job is custom. Every theatre has different designs, styles, a personality. And it's that personality we bring out!" Dorothy "Dottie" Jessup (Office Manager) - "This is busy and exciting. I grew up in this industry. I especially love hearing from the customer that we gave them an even better theatre than they had imagined!" |
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