Joe Cino - Posthumous Recognition

Posthumous Recognition

In 1985, scholar Richard Buck and Cino veteran Magie Dominic curated a pivotal exhibition at the Lincoln Center Library of images and artefacts demonstrating the Caffe Cino's importance in theatre history. In 2005, in honor of Joe Cino's courage and innovation, the New York Innovative Theatre Awards presented the first Caffe Cino Fellowship Award. This award is given annually to an extraordinary Off-Off-Broadway theatre company. In 2007 it was awarded to the first "playwright-in-residence" at the Caffe, Doric Wilson. On April 28, 2008, the office of the President of the Borough of Manhattan issued a proclamation honoring Joe Cino's achievement in founding Off-Off Broadway which "altered the world's conception of drama's possibilities forever." The proclamation was read by John Guare at the unveiling of a bronze plaque depicting Joe Cino at his espresso machine, affixed to the wall at 31 Cornelia Street, the Caffe Cino's site. There have been two books about the Cino, mentions of it in many others, and numerous books about individual Cino artists.