Theater + Performing Arts

Santa Barbara is more than just beautiful beaches. It is also home to a number of grand historic theaters, as well as a variety of smaller contemporary venues, all offering an abundance of cultural happenings. The University of California Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures series annually presents more than a hundred critically acclaimed, world-renowned artists, authors, performers, lectures and films at area venues. On any given night, classical music, opera, experimental theater, rock concerts, or Spanish-Mexican traditional dance and music, fill the halls of this cultured coast.

Featured
Granada Theater

Restored in March 2008, this world-class performing arts center is home to one of the area’s finest performing arts companies - Opera Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Symphony, CAMA, State Street Ballet and Santa Barbara Choral Society.  1214 State Street, 805.899.2222, granadasb.org
Ensemble Theatre Company at the New Vic Theater

Santa Barbara’s professional resident theatre company, engages audiences with entertaining, compelling and thought-provoking productions, ranging from important new plays to innovative interpretations of the classics. 33 West Victoria Street, 805.965.5400, ensembletheatre.com
Out of The Box Theater Company

Founded in 2009, this nonprofit community theatre company brings contemporary musicals that are entertaining, edgy, socially relevant. Enjoy productions that fall outside of the common expectations of musical theatre. 805.963.8198, outoftheboxtheatre.org
Music Academy of The West

 The beautiful ocean-side campus is home to one of the nation’s preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians, providing them with the opportunity for advanced study and performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, guest conductors, and soloists.  Attend one of the 200 annual public events, many of which are free .  1070 Fairway Road, 805.969.4726, musicacademy.org
Lobero Theater

Home to many of Santa Barbara’s outstanding performing arts organizations, this is California’s oldest, continuously operating theatre. Originally founded in 1873 and rebuilt in 1924, it is widely recognized as one of Santa Barbara’s architectural jewels and designated as a State and City landmark. 33 E Canon Perdido Street, 805.966.4946, lobero.com
Center Stage Theater

This intimate black box theater, located in the Paseo Nuevo shopping center, hosts weekly performances by a variety of artists and companies. 751 Paseo Nuevo, 805.963.0408 centerstagetheater.org
Opera Santa Barbara

Founded in 1994, this treasured organization has presented over 48 exciting operas of the highest caliberand provided thousands of hours of educational programs to the community. Past productions have included everything from La Bohème to A Streetcar Named Desire.  805.898.3890, operasb.org

 

Did you know? In 1925 Santa Barbara experienced a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake where 85% of the downtown commercial buildings were either destroyed or badly damaged. The Lobero Theater was one of the only buildings left untouched.