St. Pete’s reputation as a new creative capital just received another promising boost with the recent opening of Studio Grand Central, a mid-sized, one-set theater, gallery, and performance venue located at 2260 1st Avenue South, formerly home to Andi Matheny Acting Studios.

The intimate theater, which seats 55 people, recently kicked off its inaugural season at the end of August with the debut of “Rasheeda Speaking”, a provocative depiction of race, power, and friendship.

The size of the Studio is touted as its strength as it introduces an opportunity for the players to tackle sensitive topics that target underserved audiences such as the LGBTQ+, African American, Asian, and senior citizen communities. The one-set stage is ideal for living room comedies and dramas that audiences can engage and interact with.

Studio Grand Central’s resident theater company, The Off-Central Players, is comprised of local actors and writers who are committed to releasing challenging and thought-provoking work supporting St. Pete’s diverse community.

“I like to think Studio Grand Central is right in between the two local theaters, freeFall and American Stage. Our size allows us to do smaller plays that hit on difficult topics that some larger theater companies won’t take on,” says Studio’s co-owner and founder of The Off-Central Players, Ward Smith.

One such play that is set to debut as the second show of the season on October 15th is entitled, “Plot Points in Our Sexual Development” and tackles the topic of trans-masculine identity in the modern age. The original play was written by Miranda Rose Hall.

The Off-Central Players will present at least four shows every season. Premiering December 2nd is “The Sister-Mothers of Gulfport”, the story of a single-mother and semi-retired sex worker battling with her sister and her sister's fifth husband-to-be over control and custody of her fifteen-year-old pregnant daughter.

And debuting December 16th, “The Azure Sky in Oz” is the true-life story of two Florida women and their challenging and inspiring life-long journeys in the world of the other-abled.

During the off-season, the Studio will be open for various events such as art walks, cabaret shows, live music, and more. The motivation behind all of Studio’s events will be to provide a platform for both new and emerging local talent.

The Studio also wants to cultivate children’s creativity through their Big Break Youth Stage, which is a kid’s summer theater program for ages seven and up. The classes will be kept small, so the kids can really immerse themselves in the experience and learn about all aspects of theater production. This fall, the Youth Stage will put on their first performance of “Beauty and the Beast,” which will show from November 12-13.

Owners Ward Smith and his sister, Karen Riffe, are the bright minds behind Studio Grand Central. Ward Smith has over 35 years in the acting business doing backyard productions, touring as a stand-up comedian, and making appearances on shows like “Burn Notice,” “Army Wives,” and “MacGyver.” Karen works feverishly behind the scenes with marketing, accounting, and every other hat a businesswoman needs to wear.

“Studio Grand Central started as an idea I kicked around for 3-4 years until it materialized into an actual building that was already set up with studio seating and lighting inside. And since there was no place in St. Pete for a black box theater, I knew this was the opportunity I had been looking for,” adds Ward.

Ward is a Tampa native and moved to St. Pete years ago, but he says he’s been around long enough to see the evolution of St. Pete. “The Grand Central District has become the hub for artists and creatives, and we want to continue to be a part of that growth. We believe that the more options and outlets artists have, the more artists will be able to create and contribute to our community.” 

Studio Grand Central is currently looking for local writers and actors of all shapes, sizes, genders, and backgrounds. They are also paying a competitive wage for creatives looking to display their talents.

“We know there is so much more talent than we’ve yet to see in St. Pete. Studio Grand Central gives local artists more options to create and another outlet to put that creation on a stage or to display it in our venue,” continued Ward.

Studio Grand Central is located at 2260 1st Avenue South. Be sure to grab tickets to their second show, “Plot Points in Our Sexual Development”, which debuts on October 15th.

For more information on their upcoming shows or to inquire about acting, writing, or other creative positions that are available, visit their website.