Jeff Storer Wins Pillars of Leadership Award from Omicron Delta Kappa

Jeff Storer, professor of the practice in Theater Studies, received a Pillars of Leadership Award from Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a national leadership honor society. 

The award honors individuals who exemplify ODK’s five pillars of campus life: Academics and Research, Athletics, Service to Campus and Community, Communications and the Arts. Storer was recognized in the category of Arts for his decades-long impact on theater at Duke, in the Durham community and beyond. 

Since joining Duke in the early 1980s, Storer has been a driving force behind the university’s Theater program. He served multiple terms as chair of Theater Studies and has directed numerous productions on campus, including Angels in America, Mr. Burns: a post-electric play, and the world premiere of Romulus Linney’s Oscar Over Here. Known for mentoring generations of student artists, he has helped shape a vibrant creative community rooted in collaboration, experimentation and social engagement.

Storer’s influence extends beyond the classroom. As co-founder and Artistic Director of Durham’s Manbites Dog Theater, he helped transform the local arts scene with cutting-edge performances. Through his leadership, both on campus and in the community, he has embodied the ODK Ideal and has demonstrated how the arts can inspire, challenge and foster connection. 

“We in Theater Studies are proud to celebrate this well-earned recognition of Professor Storer,” said Esther Kim Lee, Chair of Theater Studies.  “His artistic leadership and commitment to nurturing new voices have deeply influenced both our local arts community and our academic mission. His work exemplifies the values we hold in our department—innovation, collaboration, and a belief in the power of performance to shape culture and community.”