The Little off-central Theater That Could

Local actor/director Ward Smith takes a giant leap in a small space

BY CINDY STOVALL

The Off-Central, true to its name, stands off Central Avenue in the bustling Grand Central District, a small gray building on the south side of 1st Avenue, between 22nd and 23rd Streets South. Now in its third year of operation, the former Studio Grand Central is undergoing a branding facelift. “We wanted to have the venue name be consistent with The Off-Central Players, our resident theater company,” says founder and producing artistic director Ward Smith. “It just made sense.”

A creation of local artist Deb Holliday, the freshly painted yellow and white moniker, featuring matching Comedy and Tragedy imagery, perfectly embodies both the locale and the purpose of this little theater that could. New landscaping and gleaming white stones both underscore and beautify the update.

It was the former location of Andi Matheny’s acting school, but when Matheny returned to New York in 2021, the building became available. “I wanted to open a theater and was scouting locations,” explains Smith, “but I never imagined having the opportunity to both find and purchase a space that was so well located and perfectly outfitted with everything we needed to get started.”

The theater, which is a non-profit 501(c3), seats 40 ticket holders, but has a spacious lobby with several bistro tables, and a kitchen for pre-show kibbitzing and a glass of wine or two. “When the time comes, we have some ideas for increasing capacity,” says Smith. “We are also planning multi-use events for the space — comedy shows, private events, and gallery exhibitions are a perfect fit.”

The art gallery lobby is already taking hold. During the December run of Becca McCoy’s one-woman show, “The Year of Extraordinary Travel,” a simultaneous exhibit of McCoy’s travel photography and the artwork of her Leafmore Studios partner, visual artist Justin Groom, was filled the space – and very successfully so.

Getting started

Smith credits his sister Karen Riffe with the partnership he needed to make it all happen. “I’m the art. She’s the business,” he says, smiling. The building was purchased in February of 2021. With Smith’s knowledge of theater and his sister’s confident financial planning, the curtain went up in August. “I didn’t think we could pull that off,” says Smith. “It was Karen’s push, and a very talented team that got us there and we haven’t looked back.”

Less than two years later, The OffCentral has produced or hosted over 20 productions.

But that is only the beginning of family connections found throughout Off-Central’s operations. Several husband-and-wife teams wear many hats, and are not just performers and playwrights, but double as lighting and set designers, stage managers, marketers and educators. “It’s definitely a family affair,” beams Smith. “I don’t know what I would do without them.”

Ward G. Smith, as his SAG/AFTRA card reads, is an army veteran who has been acting and directing for stage and screen for over 30 years. You may remember him from recurring roles in the TV series “Army Wives” and “Burn Notice,” with guest starring roles in many others. He has appeared in over 50 stage productions nationally and has lent his skills in multiple formats as voiceover talent.

If you need a bit more impressing, Smith has also been a successful stand-up comic, touring with the likes of Adam Sandler, David Spade, and Dennis Miller. Locally, Smith was the lead singer of Bogus Pomp, a Frank Zappa tribute band that performed for many years at the Palladium as a Halloween tradition.

It’s an impressive resume, and possibly much to sacrifice for the full-time responsibility of running a prolific theater and company. When asked about making that sacrifice and the potential impact on outside acting pursuits, Ward insists, “I have a show biz gig, and this is it.”

A stage family

How does a relatively new theater and resident company log so many quality productions in so short a time period? “Determination and team effort,” says Smith. “We do whatever it takes.” Along with his sister, Smith also credits the OffCentral “family” and the abilities of members like actor Alan Mahoney Jr., husband of oft-appearing actress Debbie Yones, to handle so many needed production details. Mike Horn, husband of education director Katie Calahan, not only starred in a one-man show produced last year, he handles lighting design and props. Smith repeats: “I depend on everyone to have a hand in making productions come to life. It’s amazing what they all do.”

The inaugural production of “Rasheeda Speaking,” the acclaimed play by Joel Drake Johnson, started it all in August of 2021. And while The Off-Central has staged other such well known and nationally produced works, Ward offers accessibility to get new works seen and possibly produced in a professional theater — works like “Mayday,” the story of the Sunshine Skyway collapse, written by St. Pete Catalyst writer Bill DeYoung, or “The Sister-Mothers of Gulfport” by beloved local playwright Bill Leavengood. “I was so grateful for the opportunity to see my show come to life,” said “The Year of Extraordinary Travel” author and star Becca McCoy.

"Rasheeda Speaking"

The next generation

The Off-Central is committed to theater education and productions for young people, as well. Big Break Youth Stage, another nonprofit resident program, is treated with the seriousness and respect that any resident company could expect. There is a full season of staged productions, the young actors engage in standard rehearsal schedules, tech, and of course, classes and camps.

Education director Katie Calahan, a prolific actor, writer, and director herself, is devoted to the program and to these stars of the future. “I really love the kids,” she says, smiling. “I’m so proud of our young actors, and of what we have been able to do here at The Off-Central. It’s an amazing opportunity for them to be a part of real working theater and to see if it’s something they want to build their futures on.”

“Native Gardens” by Karen Zacarias will be the March offering at The-Off Central – a play whose themes are hotly relevant and thought-provoking. Two couples – one white and one Hispanic — share a property border that, under unusual circumstances, becomes the central conflict in the plot. The metaphor isn’t exactly subtle, but the humanity shines through.

Featuring veteran performers Smith and Roxanne Faye in two of the four principal leads, it guarantees the quality of a production put up by any larger venue. “We are a professional theater,” boasts Smith. “We pay our actors and have the same ambitions and standards.”

What does Smith hope to accomplish in a broader sense?

“We aren’t here to alienate audiences on any given night by taking hard line social or political stands,” he says thoughtfully. “We want to tell stories with heart, soul, and relevancy – but to do that by exploring the nuance of living – to always invite learning. I believe that’s where we have the most in common.”

On Stage

“Native Gardens” runs March 16-26, Thursday through Sunday only. Big Break Youth Stage presents “Into the Woods, Jr.” April 21-23 and the Summer Camp production of “Fame, Jr.” is June 23-24.

The Off-Central is located at 2260 1st. Avenue S, St. Petersburg, FL. For tickets go to studiograndcentral.com; (727) 202-7019