About the Ensemble Theatre Company

Our Mission

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.

History

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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 and was succeeded in that position by Scott Devine in 2022.

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.

Staff

Jonathan Fox
Artistic Director

Scott DeVine
Managing Director

Christine Hollinger
Director of Development

Brian McDonald
Director of Education and Outreach 

Meg Kruszewska
Ticketing Office Manager

Elena Cruz
Associate General Manager

Ward LeHardy
Development Associate

Robert Salm
Production Manager

Nikki Stark
Production Administration Assistant

Martin Speiser
Interim Technical Director

Shawn Rodriguez
Lighting and A/V Supervisor

K.C. Adornetto
Accounting Department

Board

Officers of the Board

Simon Williams, President

Gwen Baker, Vice President
Susan Van Abel, Treasurer
Deb Pontifex, Secretary

Board of Directors

Meredith Baxter
Peter Bertling
Cynthia Brown
Paula Bruice
Ginny Brush
Chris Carter
Susan Case
Anne Gersh
Mike Gray
Dan Hone
Jon Kechejian
George Konstantinow
Gabriella Little
Paul Longanbach
Doug Norberg
Lisa Reich
Sybil Rosen

Ken Rotman

Robert Turbin

Kathy Weber
Derek A. Westen
Dana White
Parm Williams

Financial Information

Ensemble Theater Company is a 501-c(3) not for profit.

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