Theatre Arts

Fall '21

NEXUS Staged Reading Series

Featuring 3 BIPOC playwrights in works TBD

Directed by Johnny Jones, Scholar/Artist In-Residence for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

September 25, November 6, and December 4 @7:30pm  in Porter Theatre

From the liminal space of returning to the theatre amid renewed hope and faith in a “new normal,” the NEXUS Staged Reading Series features multiple modern and contemporary playwrights and plays that engage diversity, equity, and inclusion. These BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) narratives connect and examine themes of race and its multiple intersections of class, gender, sex, ethnicity, religion, and other social constructions in an effort to produce lasting and needed cultural conversations throughout American society.

Audience advisory: Contains adult themes and language.

Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil

A new play by Hannah Kenah

Directed by Diana Small '09, Resident Director and Instructor of Theatre

October 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 @ 7:30pm in Porter Theatre

With a matinee performance on October 30 @ 2pm

A comedic foray into the history of flight, featuring the Wright Brothers, the crew of Apollo 11, and a semi-fictional multi-generational family from Ohio where aviation was born. 

Audience advisory: This play contains passionate language by Ohioans about Ohio. Suitable for ages 13 and up. 

You Will Be Found: Hope Songs

Directed by Mitchell Thomas, Professor of Theatre

November 19 and 20 @7:30 pm in Porter Theatre

Join us for an uplifting evening featuring songs of hope, joy, and love from a broad variety of genres and styles.  All proceeds from the show will support student work in the Fringe Festival and the CALM childhood trauma non-profit of Santa Barbara.  This performance will also be available for streaming.

Spring '22

The Miser, or the School for Lies

By Moliere

Directed by John Blondell, Professor of Theatre

February 25, 26, March 3, 4, 5 @ 7:30pm

With a matinee performance on March 5 @ 2pm

Love and Money!  How can we get it and how can we get more?  Moliere’s wildly funny comic romp is as timely in Santa Barbara 2022 as it was when Moliere wrote it for Parisian audiences in 1668.  

Audience Advisory:  Stay in your Seats!  You Might Fall Down Laughing.

The FRINGE

A creation by and for the community ~ Curated by Mitchell Thomas, Professor of Theatre

Produced by Jonathan Hicks ‘04, Assistant Professor of Theatre

April 21 – 24 @ Various times at Westmont and CAW Downtown

Join us for our annual smash-up of experimental theatre, dance, film, and performance art in and around the Westmont campus and downtown Santa Barbara! The Fringe offers a unique opportunity for audiences and artists alike to challenge themselves to experience life and live art in fresh, new ways.  There’s nothing like it.  Really.