The goal of The Marjorie Luke Theatre is to provide a high quality, accessible, affordable performing arts venue that offers culturally diverse and relevant programming to the Santa Barbara community and students of Santa Barbara Unified School District.
The Marjorie Luke Theatre is an 808 seat historic Spanish Colonial Revival Theatre, originally built in 1933 by WPA craftsmen and artisans. A unique joint-use partnership was created in 2002 between our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the Santa Barbara Unified School District that enables us to operate the theatre for community and school use. The Marjorie Luke Theatre serves both the staff and students of Santa Barbara Junior High School and the over 100 area arts and education organizations that produce theatre, dance, music, film, lectures and benefit events year-round.
Our three full time employees and part time technical crew members manage and maintain this beautiful theatre and serve all who utilize the venue. A diverse group of approximately 40,000 people pass through the doors of The Luke annually for community events and performances. Over half a million people have attended events since the renovation and grand opening in 2003.
The Marjorie Luke Theatre has been dubbed “The People’s Theatre” by Santa Barbara Magazine, and it has earned this title by welcoming the most diverse array of artists and audiences members of any theatre in Santa Barbara. Artists of all ages showcase their talent on our stage year-round. In 2018 the “Teens Sing for Santa Barbara” concert was filmed for television in our Theatre and won an Emmy Award in 2019. Additionally, artists such as James Cameron, Judy Collins, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Rufus Wainwright, Kenny Loggins, The Fab Four, Rebelution, Nati Cano Mariachi Los Comperos, The Cast of GLEE, Mavis Staples, Canadian Brass, Stephen Stills, Gilles Apap, Savion Glover, Arturo Sandoval, and Melissa Manchester have performed here. We are most proud to serve multi-generational Latino families with the UCSB Arts & Lectures’ Viva El Arte annual series of free music and dance concerts.
In addition to the rich and diverse offerings by area arts organizations, The Marjorie Luke Theatre is proud to produce high quality events that educate, enlighten, and entertain Santa Barbara audiences, such as our Mind, Body & Soul Series which features renowned inspirational speakers, experts, and authors. Most recently, during the pandemic, The Marjorie Luke Theatre produced a Virtual Concert Series which was offered to all website visitors free of charge. This series brought hope and entertainment to more than 600,000 viewers at a time when theatres were closed and live performances were non-existent.
We are proud to say that there is always something exciting happening on The Marjorie Luke Theatre stage. We hope to see you at The Luke soon!
”“When I first saw The Luke Theatre in it’s raw state I was stunned at it’s fallen disrepair. When I saw it at the completion of the renovation I was inspired by its authentic design come to life.”
Joe Wilcox – Principal Architect – Kruger Bensen Ziemer Architects Inc.
Celebrating a rich legacy…
This is where Santa Barbara’s home-grown arts thrive.
”“Every time I attend a show at The Luke, I walk in and there are a half dozen of my old friends. Not just media pals, but people I knew growing up and still love to see. (The Luke) became a place where the community is preserved, and where it is constantly being enriched.”
DJ PalladinoArts Writer Santa Barbara Independent Santa Barbara Magazine
