About The Off-Central Players
About Us
The Off-Central's resident theater company, The Off-Central Players, is a 501c3 non-profit, professional arts organization committed to providing instruction, development and theatrical storytelling for St. Petersburg's diverse community.
Big Break Youth Stage
The Off-Central Players are proud to announce youth education opportunities through the Big Break Youth Stage at The Off-Central.
Intimate and Engaging
The Off-Central provides an up close and personal theater experience - so close - it will touch your soul.
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Ward Smith, Producing Artistic Director
Ward G. Smith, SAGAFTRA/AEA, is the Founding Artistic Director for the Off-Central Players and is thrilled to bring his talent and passion to this new and exciting endeavor in St. Petersburg.
Starting with USO shows and live theater while in the US ARMY, Ward G. Smith is an actor, standup comedian and voice-over artist, who has been working steadily for the past 35 years. He's appeared in over 50 stage productions, and as a member SAGAFTRA, he can now be seen in streaming episodes of Zoo, Nashville, Let's Stay Together, Burn Notice, Army Wives, MacGyver, and The Right Stuff. As a Nationally touring stand-up comedian past club dates include: Punchlines, Improvs, Funny Bones, Laff Stops, Comedy Zones, Improvs and Coconuts. Active in the local theater scene, some favorite roles include Rothko in Red, Scott in American Son, and Stephano in Tempest. As Former Artistic Director at The Heather, he guided productions of Race, The Mountain Top and Disgraced to massive critical and commercial success.
Katie Calahan, Education Program Director
Katie is an actress, writer, director, and educator. She is especially dedicated to dramatic arts education for children. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida she received conservatory training and her BFA in Theatre Studies from Boston University. Katie has over 15 years teaching experience. Katie is the former founder and program director of the Gulfport Community Players Juniors Stars, a local children’s theater offering programming for children from 5-17yrs old. Katie loves directing the next generation of performers! Some of her favorite children’s theater directing credits include Shrek Jr, Grease: School Version, Seussical Jr and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Support The Off-Central Players
Our mission is to share the powerful impact of creativity. Our focus is on presenting, instructing and developing meaningful artistic works in our community. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, every donation helps.