The Granada Theatre Builds Community Vitality
In honor of this milestone, The Granada Theatre is reflecting on its evolution as a performing arts center and thanking the “Brilliant Stars” who have made The Granada Theatre’s growing success possible.
After the multiyear restoration project, the theater reopened in March 2008, under the auspices of the Santa Barbara Center for Performing Arts, as a fully modernized state-of-the-art facility in the historic downtown structure. The Granada Theatre’s restoration was a labor of love that would not have been possible without the dedication of the theater’s “Brilliant Stars,” an incredibly supportive and diverse group of founding and current board members. These individuals, along with a growing base of community support, have made it possible for The Granada Theatre to evolve in to a world-class performing arts venue that enhances the quality of life in the Santa Barbara region by hosting the very best in the performing arts for the widest possible audience.
Under the direction of the Board of Directors and Executive Director Dr. Craig Springer, an arts administrator with more than 30 years of experience, The Granada Theatre annually hosts more than 100 performances and community events and is a proud contributor to the vitality of Santa Barbara. The Granada Theatre’s vision and the passion of all the Board members and staff is that the venue will continue to develop as the community’s theater. “This theater was built by the community, for the community,” said Dr. Springer. “As a grateful thank you, the staff and the Board of Directors are dedicated to making The Granada Theatre a treasured community asset where all Santa Barbara residents are welcome, and of which all Santa Barbara residents feel proud.”
The Granada Theatre is the showcase home to eight exemplary resident companies – CAMA, the Music Academy of the West, Opera Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Choral Society, the Santa Barbara Symphony, State Street Ballet, the Theater League, and UCSB Arts & Lectures. As a part of these mutually beneficial partnerships, The Granada Theatre extends generous levels of financial support to its resident companies, enabling them to provide the high level of production quality that our shared audiences have come to expect. Additionally, as part of its growing community engagement efforts, The Granada Theatre hosts family-oriented performances and underwrites facility fees for educational programming held at the theater. In addition to extending generous discounts off of facility rental rates to local non-profit organizations such as San Marcos High School’s annual student-led fundraiser, Kids Helping Kids, The Granada Theatre is also proud to routinely host private and public community events, including school proms, weddings, and memorials. These events and many more reinforce The Granada Theatre’s value as a special gathering place for the community’s time honored celebrations and traditions.
At this five-year milestone, The Granada Theatre is excited to invite and welcome all residents of Santa Barbara to support and enjoy the very best in music, dance, and theatre at this beloved venue. Some highlight performances of the upcoming spring season include Don Pasquale presented by Opera Santa Barbara on April 26th at 7:30pm and April 28th at 2:30pm. The Granada Theatre Concert Series will welcome Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters on May 4 at 8:00pm. Contemporary Jazz saxophonist and singer Jessy J will perform on June 6th at 8:00pm in the intimate setting of The Granada Theatre’s McCune Founders room as part of the “Upstairs at the G” series.
About The Granada Theatre
Built in 1924, The Granada Theatre has been an integral part of Santa Barbara’s arts and entertainment landscape for almost 90 years. The Granada Theatre has played host to some of the 20th century’s greatest entertainers, from Al Jolson, Charlie Chaplin, and Fred Astaire to Henry Fonda, Yo Yo Ma, Steve Martin and the Berlin Philharmonic, to name a few. Re-opened in 2008, under the auspices of the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts, The Granada Theatre re-emerged as a state of the art home for many of Santa Barbara’s greatest artistic treasures and a place whose existence makes it possible for the highest levels of artistic expression to take place in Santa Barbara. It is an historical icon that speaks to the central role live performing arts play in defining the communal life of Santa Barbara and the Central Coast region. Under the direction of Executive Director, Dr. Craig Springer, a skilled arts administrator with more than 30 years experience, The Granada Theatre annually hosts more than 100 performances and community events. For more information on The Granada Theatre, please visit here.
