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Santa Barbara Theatre Newsroom

The latest news on live theatre in Santa Barbara from Broadway shows on tour to regional theatre.

Santa Barbara International Film Festival To Showcase Three NFB Films By Women Directors
by A.A. Cristi - January 14, 2026
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival will present three National Film Board of Canada films by women directors during its 2026 edition, including two U.S. premieres. The lineup features documentaries by Brishkay Ahmed and Min Sook Lee and an animated short by Hayat Najm.
Coral Reefer Band Doc Sets Premiere at SBIFF
by Josh Sharpe - January 14, 2026
Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers, a feature documentary that traces the origins and evolution of Jimmy Buffett’s original Coral Reefer Band during the 1970s and early 1980s, will premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Winners Announced For The 2025 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards
by BWW Awards - January 14, 2026
Winners have been announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards! The 2025 Regional Awards honor regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
Last Chance to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards; NATASHA, PIERRE, & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - December 29, 2025
This is the last chance to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
ICYMI: Next On Stage: Season 5- Meet the Top 15
by BWW News Desk - November 23, 2025
BroadwayWorld's Next On Stage, Broadway's biggest national competition for high school and college students, returned to reveal the Top 15 performers in both age groups. The Top 15 includes...
Watch: Next On Stage's High School & College Top 15 Revealed
by BWW News Desk - November 21, 2025
Who will make the Top 15 of BroadwayWorld's Next On Stage? You'lll have to tune in tonight, November 21 (High School: 7pm ET, College: 9pm ET), to find out!
Ensemble Theatre Company Adds Performance of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JANE AUSTEN, ABRIDGED
by BWW News Desk - November 20, 2025
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara will present a special added performance of the West Coast premiere of The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged in honor of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth.
Lights Up! Theatre Company To Open Eighth Season With THE WIZARD OF OZ
by BWW News Desk - November 20, 2025
Lights Up! Theatre Company will open its eighth season with a new production of The Wizard of Oz performed by its teen ensemble. Performances will run December 4–7 at Santa Barbara High School.
A VERY BROADWAY CHRISTMAS Tickets On Sale Today
by David Green - November 19, 2025
Tickets are on sale now for the starriest holiday show in Southern California as Broadway powerhouses Tony Winner Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kevin Chamberlin, James Snyder and Rachel York  join the talented perfomers of David Green's Musical Theatre University in a ninety-minute holiday celebration featuring favorite songs of the season, old and new, and fully-staged and choreographed production numbers by the MTU singers, all under the musical direction of Michael Orland.
Voting Open for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards
by BWW Awards - November 18, 2025
Voting is now open for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards. The 2025 Regional Awards honor regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
The Theatre Group at SBCC to Hold Auditions for A SMALL FAMILY BUISNESS
by BWW News Desk - November 14, 2025
The Theatre Group at SBCC will hold auditions for the spring 2026 production of A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Katie Laris, by appointment.
New World Symphony to Host 2026 I DREAM A WORLD FESTIVAL: LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING
by BWW News Desk - November 12, 2025
New World Symphony’s fifth annual I Dream a World Festival, titled “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” will take place February 18–22, 2026, highlighting the impact of Black artist-activists through music, poetry, and performance.
Preview: JAGGED LITTLE PILL at Center Stage
by Anna Jensen - November 09, 2025
What to expect from JAGGED LITTLE PILL at Center Stage
L.A. COUNTY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION Returns December 24 For Its 66th Year At The Music Center
by BWW News Desk - November 06, 2025
The Emmy Award-winning L.A. County Holiday Celebration will return to The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., marking its 66th annual presentation.
Ensemble Theatre Company to Welcome Six New Members to its Board of Directors
by BWW News Desk - November 04, 2025
Ensemble Theatre Company has appointed six community and business leaders to its Board of Directors: Adam Berger, Dan Burnham, Dan Cerf, Gary Justice, Ellen Robinson, and Helene Segal.
DISNEY'S FROZEN Opens at PCPA Next Week
by BWW News Desk - November 01, 2025
For the first time in forever, Disney’s Frozen comes to life on the PCPA stage — The production runs from November 6 through December 21, 2025 at the Marian Theatre, and July 5 through August 2, 2026 at the Solvang Festival Theater.
Santa Barbara High School to Present THE BREAKFAST CLUB
by BWW News Desk - October 29, 2025
Santa Barbara High School Theatre to present The Breakfast Club November 7–16, 2025, in celebration of the film’s 40th anniversary. Directed by Gioia Marchese, the production reimagines John Hughes’ iconic story for the stage, featuring a rotating cast of 18 students.
QUETZALI AND THE COMIC BOOK QUEEN Comes to Pacific Conservatory Theatre
by BWW News Desk - October 28, 2025
Quetzali and the Comic Book Queen vs. the Alebrije of Darkness: Live in the School Cafeteria by Alvaro Saar Rios is coming to Pacific Conservatory Theatre. Learn more here!
Last Chance To Submit For The 2025 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards
by BWW Awards - October 27, 2025
This is your last chance to submit for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards! The 2025 Regional Awards honor productions which had their first performance between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
FROZEN Comes to Pacific Conservatory Theatre
by BWW News Desk - October 21, 2025
For the first time in forever, Disney's Frozen will come to life on the PCPA stage! The worldwide Broadway sensation, based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, brings dazzling life to the beloved story.
Final Weeks To Submit For The 2025 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards
by BWW Awards - October 14, 2025
Time is running out to submit for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards! The 2025 Regional Awards honor productions which had their first performance between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
Camerata Pacifica Launches BEETHOVEN 32 Three-Year Cycle
by BWW News Desk - October 08, 2025
Camerata Pacifica will present landmark works for solo piano by Beethoven and Chopin as well as a Mozart tour de force for woodwinds and horn on a milestone program that launches “Beethoven 32,” a momentous three-year cycle.
EVERY BRILLIANT THING to Run at Pacific Conservatory Theatre
by Gillian Blum - September 27, 2025
Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan, with Jonny Donahoe will run at the Pacific Conservatory Theatre's Severson Theatre from October 9 through October 26, starring Emily Trask.
WAR OF THE WORLDS: THE PANIC BROADCAST Comes To The New Vic Theatre
by BWW News Desk - September 16, 2025
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara will open its 47th season 'Truth and Illusion' with the theatrical experience WAR OF THE WORLDS: THE PANIC BROADCAST.
National Theatre Live Productions to be Screened by Ensemble Theatre Company
by BWW News Desk - September 11, 2025
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara is partnering with the National Theatre of Great Britain to bring National Theatre Live productions to Santa Barbara audiences beginning in the 2025-2026 season. Learn more!

Videos


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The California Theatre of Santa Rosa (2/7 - 2/7)
Grateful Heart Band - with Jami Jameson Band in Santa Barbara Grateful Heart Band - with Jami Jameson Band
The California Theatre of Santa Rosa (2/14 - 2/14)
Ubu's Other Shoe Staged Reading: Anthropology in Santa Barbara Ubu's Other Shoe Staged Reading: Anthropology
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre (1/23 - 1/24)
Internationally Acclaimed Dance Company Parsons Dance Performs April 18 and 19 in Santa Monica in Santa Barbara Internationally Acclaimed Dance Company Parsons Dance Performs April 18 and 19 in Santa Monica
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage (4/18 - 4/19)
Space Orchestra in Santa Barbara Space Orchestra
The California Theatre of Santa Rosa (1/24 - 1/24)
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in Santa Barbara Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre (3/27 - 4/12)
Hadestown (Non-Equity) in Santa Barbara Hadestown (Non-Equity)
Rabobank Arena, Theater & Convention Center (4/2 - 4/2)
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