The arts center on the HCC Ybor campus is known for hosting local theater companies like Tampa Rep (see “Pearls"), but did you know it also programs cutting-edge dance and performance? On Jan. 26-27, see Rhode Island-based elephantJane Dance, and in February catch teacher/solo performer Karen Sklaire and NYC’s Dušan Týnek Dance Theatre. Mainstage Theatre, HCC Performing Arts Building, E. Palm Ave. and N. 14th St. (Avenida Republica de Cuba). hccfl.edu/yc/dance
Though a CL writer awarded The Heather Best Up-and-Coming Theater Company a few years back, I’ve never had the chance to check out a show in its tiny Town ’n’ Country space. Given its strong leadership (all-around theater guy Ward Smith) and smart play selection (the Times named its production of Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced the best of 2017), looks like The Heather should be on everyone’s “Gotta check this out” list. 8313 W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa. heathertheatre.org
Community theaters on both sides of the bay are doing professional-quality work, but the one that deserves our support more than ever is City Theatre, a beloved institution in St. Pete for 92 years. Financial difficulties almost led to a shutdown in 2016, but passionate volunteers have come to the rescue, and the shows keep on coming: Look for Jesus Christ Superstar in March. 4025 31St St. S. St. Petersburg. 727-866-1973, spcitytheatre.org
Want more bang for your theater-going buck, plus the chance to catch stars-in-the-making? See a show at one of the area’s high school performing arts magnet programs. A production of Side Show (left) by Tampa’s Blake H.S., under the direction of Sean Ryan Paris, was one of only eight shows in the state of Florida invited to perform at the Florida State Thespian Festival. 1701 North Blvd., Tampa. 813-272-3422, blake.mysdhc.org
Led by Keven Renken, the theater program at Pinellas County Center for the Arts regularly turns out award-winning shows and professionally trained grads (that’s Renken’s production of All the Way at left). Coming up: Thirteen Past Midnight in March and The Hunchback of Notre Dame in April. 850 34th St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-893-5452, pcsb.org
A small theater with a big mission — producing plays by or about women — Powerstories has progressed steadily over its first few years. Its 2017 staging of Falling featured two of the strongest performances I saw last year: Jonelle Meyer (above) and Joey Hunter as a beleaguered mom struggling to care for a son on the spectrum. Check out Mark Leib’s preview of their next show, A Piece of My Heart, in “Pearls.” 2105 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-253-2000, powerstories.com
No, it’s not an insurance company; it’s two talented theater folk, Aaron Washington and Keith Eisenstadt, who recently staged Sam Shepard’s True West at the Carrollwood Cultural Center that impressed some of the toughest critics I know as “theater at its best.” Coming up: Broadway Bent: Heroes! Feb. 23-24. Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd., Tampa. facebook.com/washingtoneisenstadt
This article appears in Jan 18-25, 2018.