An architectural, low-angle shot of the iconic, bright blue sign of the Beach Theatre in St. Pete Beach, Florida. The vertical portion of the sign prominently displays the word 'THEATRE' in bold, white, capital letters. Beneath it, a horizontal marquee reads 'BEACH' in similar white, block lettering. The sign is set against a soft, pale, overcast sky, with the top of a palm tree visible in the upper-left corner and a dark, traditional-style street lamp visible on the left side of the frame. — The Beach Theatre in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Credit: Ryan Kern

A year after triumphantly reopening, The Beach Theatre is hosting its first-ever live production.

Hannah Hockman, director of the historic St. Pete Beach venue, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that “What The Constitution Means To Me” opens later this month, with plans to run past the Fourth of July.

The Pulitzer-nominated work includes quotes from late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who also attended a performance in 2019. The Pulitzer board described the work by Heidi Schreck as, “A charming and incisive analysis of gender and racial biases inherent to the U.S. Constitution that examines how this living document could evolve to fit modern America.”

“This production marks an exciting new step for The Beach Theatre as we expand into live performance alongside our film programming,” Hockman told CL in an email. “Offering a timely reflection on the Constitution and how it continues to shape our lives today.”

‘What the Constitution Means to Me’

Time Fri., June 26, 7 p.m., Sat., June 27, 7 p.m., Sun., June 28, 2 p.m., Fri., July 3, 7 p.m., Sun., July 5, 2 p.m. and Mon., July 6, 7 p.m.

Location The Beach Theatre, 315 Corey Avenue, St Pete Beach

The play—timed with America’s 250th birthday—opens on June 26 and runs select nights and days through July 6. The approximately 90-minute play centers around Schreck’s partially autobiographical account of earning college tuition through winning debate competitions on the constitution.

Katie Combs, an actor and director based in the Bay area will play Schreck at Beach Theatre, with support from Joe Condon playing the Legionnaire and Ever Whittinghill as a teen debater.

The performance comes just a year after the theater reopened its doors in 2025. Originally opened in 1941, the cinema house closed in 2012 after financial struggles and the owner’s death.

“In this hilarious, hopeful, and deeply human play, she resurrects her teenage self to examine the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives,” Hockman added.

Since its reopening in 2025, The approximately 162-seat Beach Theatre has had continuous showings of classic and new upcoming films, and even comedy.

Tickets to “What The Constitution Means To Me” at The Beach Theatre in St. Pete Beach on select nights and days from June 26-July 6 are still available and start at $20.

The theater will offer discounted tickets for community organizations, including social activist groups, and nonprofits.

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This article appears in May 28 – June 03, 2026.