Know Theatre's board president Jeff Syroney said in a statement, "I am torn between my happiness for the success of a talented artist and a dear friend, and the lamentation of the loss of one of the city's true artistic entrepreneurs. Never one to shy away from a challenge or an experiment, Jason's ability to create community through vision has gifted Cincinnati with the annual Fringe Festival, a new home and name for Know Theatre of Cincinnati, a resident company of outside actors, an army of Cincinnati Ambassadors in the guise of hundreds of Fringe artists spreading the good news about Cincinnati throughout the country, and a strong foundation on which alternative arts can grow and prosper. His influence and inspiration will be missed." Originally from New Jersey, Bruffy studied at Radford University in southern Virginia. Bruffy worked in the Washington, DC, area as an actor, technical director and director before moving to Cincinnati as a company member of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, quickly rising from actor to company manager in less than a year. In 2003 Bruffy, with the support of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Studio Series, founded the Cincinnati Fringe Festival which debuted in May 2004. In six years the festival has grown to the largest all-inclusive performing arts festival in Ohio. In 2004 Bruffy was also named the artistic director of Know Theatre of Cincinnati. The small part-time company that was housed in a church basement grew in the following five years to a fully-professional theatre with its own facility, expanding by over ten times the size. Bruffy has been recognized in local media as Person of the Year in 2009 by Cincinnati CityBeat, as well as an Arts Risk Taker, Arts Innovator, Forty under 40 Business Leaders, and one of 40 people who have shaped Cincinnati in 40 years by Cincinnati Magazine. Bruffy has directed over 30 productions professionally, winning numerous awards for direction, design and extraordinary events.

"The 40 year history of Salt Lake Acting Company is reflected in the expansive body of work it has produced and in the long-standing support of its most open and adventurous audience," according to the Utah group. "SLAC produces seasons of thoughtful, provocative, regional and world premieres; nurtures, supports and develops a community of professional artists; produces and supports emerging playwrights; and makes a significant contribution to our community and to the American professional theatre. The vision for SLAC's future is to be ever more vibrant, brave, innovative and relevant."