Clearwater residents now have a professional‑level theater option right in North Pinellas County. TheatreFor, a nonprofit launched in 2022 by retired software designer Graham Jones and Shakespeare scholar Dee O’Brien, operates out of a renovated storefront at 1863 N. Highland Ave.
Mission and Growth
Jones and his co‑founders created TheatreFor to fill what they saw as a desert of professional theater in the area. Their goal is to bring productions that have appeared on Broadway, Off‑Broadway, or at festivals to local audiences, often at ticket prices lower than those at larger venues like the Straz or Ruth Eckerd.
Since opening, the intimate black‑box space—now equipped with ADA‑compliant restrooms and a modern lighting and sound system—has staged dozens of plays and continues to grow its reputation.
Current and Upcoming Shows
The current season runs through November 22 with Keith Huff’s psychological drama A Steady Rain, a hard‑hitting story of two Chicago detectives confronting moral decay. The production previously starred Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig on Broadway.
Future titles include the musical The Book of Merman, the solo show Every Brilliant Thing paired with Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape, and a production of Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale directed by Dee O’Brien.
Community Roots
O’Brien, a former Manhattan schoolteacher, has long championed Shakespeare education, founding an all‑Shakespeare high‑school company and teaching middle‑school students. Her experience informs TheatreFor’s emphasis on both classic and contemporary works.
New board member Peter Balaskas, a published novelist, co‑directs the theatre’s development program for playwrights, emphasizing collaborative creation and giving back to the community.
Supporting Local Talent
Jones emphasizes that paying actors, even modestly, attracts talent willing to commit to higher‑level work than typical community theater. “We want to be better every day,” he says, noting the theatre’s 54‑seat capacity encourages intimate, high‑quality performances.
TheatreFor’s presence adds cultural depth to Clearwater, offering residents and visitors alike access to professional theater without traveling to larger cities.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
