The longest-running professional theatre in Tampa Bay, Stageworks Theatre presents critically-acclaimed plays on our mainstage, provides arts programs for at-risk youth and fosters work by local artists, led by Producing Artistic Director Karla Hartley. Stageworks was founded in 1983 by the creative force of Anna Brennen, with a mission to provide the highest quality professional theatre that respects, ignites and celebrates the human spirit while challenging the thresholds of intolerance and insensitivity. Last year Stageworks Theatre earned Creative Loafing's Best of the Bay award for Best Theatre. Karla Hartley was named Best Director in 2009, 2012 and 2014. For many years Stageworks moved from one temporary home to another, including the Italian Club, Hillsborough Community College in Ybor, the Falk Theater and the Straz/Shimberg Center. On August 11th, 2011 Stageworks, with the help of then President of the Board Andrea Graham, the Board of Directors and the gracious support of the entire community, opened a permanent home in Tampa's burgeoning new Channel District. Stageworks is a proud member of the National New Play Network, Theatre Tampa Bay and the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce.