Ensemble Theatre Company presents important new plays and innovative interpretations of classic works for a broad audience. ETC engages audiences with entertaining, compelling, and thought-provoking theatrical productions, develops the community’s knowledge and appreciation of live stage productions, and offers a range of educational programs for young people.
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara (ETC) began as the Ensemble Theatre Project in 1978 under the direction of Joseph Hanreddy. For the first three years, plays were performed at Trinity Episcopal Church. In 1981, ETC made the 140-seat Alhecama Theatre its home for more than 25 years. Beginning in 2009, ETC undertook a $12.6 million renovation of the Victoria Hall Theater. It opened its new 300-seat home, the New Vic, in 2013. The New Vic has become a venue for dance, music, film, and lectures.
After Joseph Hanreddy left Santa Barbara in 1985, Robert Grande Weiss became Artistic Director, a position he held until his retirement in 2006. Jonathan Fox assumed the position of Executive Artistic Director in September 2006 and saw the company through great expansion. Jill Seltzer joined ETC as its Managing Director in 2016.
ETC, which became an Equity theatre in 1989, is Santa Barbara’s sole professional theatre company. The company, which presents five or six plays per season, has produced several American and West Coast premieres, and has garnered numerous awards over the years.
Jonathan Fox
Artistic Director
Jill Seltzer
Managing Director
Brian McDonald
Director of Education and Outreach
Christine Hollinger
Community Development Manager
William Szobody
Customer Relations/Box Office Manager
Yvonne Bazinet
Accounting Department
Sean McGarry
Technical Director
Lise Lange
Costume Supervisor
Officers of the Board
Lisa Reich, President
Robert Turbin, Vice President
Owen Patotzka, Treasurer
Kathy Weber, Secretary
Board of Directors
Gwen Baker
Meredith Baxter
Eve Bernstein
Ginny Brush
Chris Carter
Susan Case
Mike Gray
Daniel Hone
Peter O. Johnson
George Konstantinow
Kandy Luria-Budgor
Laini Melnick
Doug Norberg
Deb Pontifex
Sybil Rosen
Chuck Sheldon
Susan Van Abel
Derek A. Westen
Dana White
Parm Williams
Simon Williams