Meet the Owners: Asylum Theater

If you enjoy the theater or are looking for something new to do in the area, then step on out and head over to the Asylum Theater — the newest artistic venue to land in Central Tampa.

Co-Owners: Laura Lamon, James Vale and Michael Kish

Asylum Theater

7921 N Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL 33604

813-933-7803

Cash and Credit cards accepted.

It’s Not Broadway: Recognizing the need for a better entertainment scene, siblings Lamon and Vale opened the theater to help bring Tampa and the arts together. “Tampa is fragmented, and no one knows what to do or where to go out," explained Vale. Asylum is the theater for regular people, a place where artists can meet up. Their goal is to redefine what theater community really means.

It’s a family affair: It was Lamon’s dream and a conversation between she and her brother, Vale, while sitting at Fly Bar years ago that put the wheels into motion. Vale’s original work included movies such as "Predator" and "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." He left Los Angeles and moved back to Illinois, where some friends asked him to help out with a small theater, Chicago’s Annoyance Theater. This is where his real passion for theater ignited. It was supposed to be a short-term, gig and 17 years later he was still there. “It was not a job," he said. "It was family. The crew and cast shared in the birth of my daughter and the death of my mom.  We shared everything together.”  After many years in Chicago, Vale decided it was time to move on. He was getting ready to move back to Los Angeles and at the last moment decided to come to Florida instead. Working with his sister has strengthened their familial connection. “I’m getting to know my sister at a whole new level," Vale said. “We and the core group are really starting to gel. The whole place is a work in progress, so as we build it out we are a part of every little action.”

In the Neighborhood: After looking in Ybor City, they decided to look outside the area and chose the venue because of its centralized location. Co-producers Vale, Lamon and Matthew Kish built the theater in a former bar on the outskirts of Seminole Heights. Vale and many others involved with Asylum live close enough to walk. The theater seats close to 60 people, and there are two more outdoor stages, where future plans include theater classes.

Now Showing:

"Mustard Face": A sketch comedy. Showtime: Saturdays, 10 p.m.  

Open Mic Night: Meredith Marsh heads up open mic night. Sign in is at 7:30. Showtime: Sundays, 8 p.m. until midnight.

"Mind F--k": Opening Dec. 23. Showtime is 10 p.m. Written by Vincent Stalba and directed by Vale, the show is a complete piece of anti-theater theater. It’s the story of two brothers, one a magician and the other a mentalist, both horrible at what they do and constantly fighting with one another. As Vale described it, “it will be very over the top and a little bloody.”

New Directors Nights are on Wednesdays. This is an opportunity for directors to work together and learn the craft. Each participant directs a 20-minute piece. The shows will run for four weeks.

Coming Soon: 

"The Arsonist," written by Caleb Stone with Vale directing, is the story of a serial killer back in the 1950s and how the people in his town deal with having a killer living among them.

Asylum Theater will also teach classes that include improvisation, directing, scenic design and special effects. They also plan to offer audition preparation classes-what you need to do to prepare for the audition and the logistics of auditioning in places like Los Angeles and Chicago.

And That’s a Wrap: As Vale said, “This is about the theater community, not all about us.”