Galleria
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 133
while creating the most defining stories
and storytelling of our time. American
Stage presents its top- quality Mainstage
Series in its 182-seat Raymond James
Theatre each year.
Bilheimer Capitol Theatre,
405 Cleveland St., Clearwater,
(727) 791-7400. This theater in downtown
Clearwater has 737 seats and is operated by
Ruth Eckerd Hall in a partnership with the
City of Clearwater.
Eight O’Clock Theatre,
105 Central Park Drive, Largo,
(727) 587-6793. The award-winning Eight
O’Clock Theatre continues its long history
of presenting high-caliber entertainment
in the Central Park Performing Arts
Center. They honor the tradition of
combining top-notch performers with
state-of-the-art lighting, sound, sets and
performances. All their shows offer a
glimpse of the talent we are fortunate to
have here in the Tampa Bay area.
Francis Wilson Playhouse,
302 Seminole St., Clearwater,
(727) 446-1360. This quality community
theater has been in operation since 1930.
Each season, the 182-seat theater presents
a new show every month. The venue is
available for a nominal fee to nonprofit
organizations that wish to enjoy a
performance exclusively for their group,
while fundraising through the sale of
tickets to the play.
freeFall Theatre Company,
6099 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg,
(727) 498-5205. Since opening in January
2011, freeFall Theatre has quickly become
one of the most acclaimed and awardwinning
theater companies in Tampa
Bay. The mission of freeFall Theatre is
to pursue art’s greater purposes and
the transformative power of theater –
as a builder of community, a source of
upliftment, and a builder of cultural
legacy. They present a varied range of
classical and new works that are bold,
daring, and diverse.
The Palladium at St. Petersburg
College,
253 5th Ave N., St. Petersburg,
(727) 822-3590. Built in 1925 and on the
National Register of Historic places, the
award-winning Palladium Theater is a
performing arts center offering two stages
– Hough Hall, an acoustically perfect
850-seat concert hall, and Side Door,
the 175-seat nightclub. The Palladium
presents diverse performances from
internationally known artists to emerging
talent (blues, jazz, dance, opera, rock,
chamber, comedy and more). It is located
four blocks from the waterfront in
downtown St. Petersburg. Parking is free.
Ruth Eckerd Hall,
1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater,
Box office (727) 791-7400; Business
office (727) 791-7060. The hall hosts
The Florida Orchestra and national and
international artists and performances,
including Broadway, classical, dance,
pop, comedy and affordable family
theater. The Marcia P. Hoffman
Performing Arts Institute offers classes
in the visual and performing arts for
students of all ages.
Sarasota Opera,
61 Pineapple Ave., Sarasota,
(941) 366-8450. Opera lovers appreciate
this beautiful opera house and the
first-class performances of its company.
English translations are projected above
the stage.
Stageworks Theatre,
1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Grand Central at
Kennedy, Ground Floor West Building,
Tampa, (813) 251-8984. This theater’s
mission is “to provide the highest quality
professional theater, which respects,
ignites and celebrates the human spirit
while challenging the thresholds of
intolerance and insensitivity.”
St. Petersburg Opera Company,
2145 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg,
(727) 823-2040. Under the leadership of
Artistic and Executive Director Maestro
Mark Sforzini, the St. Petersburg Opera
Company brings fully staged professional
opera productions to our community with
live orchestra, grand opera, Broadway
shows, holiday programs and more.
Straz Center for the Performing Arts,
1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa,
(813) 229-STAR (7827). The Center hosts
The Florida Orchestra and the Tampa Bay
Broadway Series, as well as many other
theatrical and dance productions in its
four outstanding performance spaces.
Tarpon Arts, Tarpon Springs
Performing Arts Center,
324 Pine St., (727) 942-5605; Cultural
Center, 101 S. Pinellas Ave.,
(727) 942-5605; Heritage Museum,
100 Beekman Lane, (727) 937-0686;
Safford House, 23 Parkin Court,
(727) 937-1130. Their exciting performing
arts series is offered throughout the year
to bring entertainment and culture to
the community. 9