Staff

Karen Baltzley

Managing Director

Karen is from Kansas and grew up in the Midwest. Her theatrical & arts administrative studies at Drury University sparked a love of stage management; and making herself useful anywhere in a theatre. She’s a manager and producer at heart with a deep love of theatrical make-up! Karen loves living in Santa Barbara and the artistic theatre community here.

Payton Jackson

Technical Director

Payton Jackson is lighting designer, stage manager, and technician from Southwest Missouri. Payton received a BA in Theatre from Drury University. He previously served as the Technical Director and Resident Lighting Designer for Springfield Contemporary Theatre in Springfield, Missouri.

Megan Hanson

Assistant Technical Director

Megan Hanson is a theatre technician, dancer, performer, and artist currently residing in the Central Coast. Before moving to California, Megan received her BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA, where she worked as a stage manager, lighting designer, charge artist, and theatre technician for the college, as well as for other local theaters. She has been with The Marjorie Luke Theatre since 2022, working on projects with various performing groups from around the world and close to home, and she became Assistant Technical Director in 2023.

Kathy Kelley

Development Director

Kathy has lived in Santa Barbara since 1982. Her career includes experience in business management and working in educational programing, youth organizations, and Youth Theatre productions. As a skilled fundraiser, she has a talent for planning and executing high profile nonprofit fundraising events and excels in data management and donor relationships.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, swimming, doing yoga, and singing. Kathy has two adult daughters and can often be found at the beach with her two dogs, Felix and Sprout.

Autumn 2023 – Now Hiring

Theatrical Technicians

Part-time/Freelance

Assistant House Managers

Part-time/Freelance

The Luke is always hiring freelance Technicians and Assistant House Managers to assist with events and performances! Please email KarenBaltzley@LukeTheatre.org for more information.

“I truly enjoy being a Board Member at The Luke because I find it very beneficial and rewarding knowing that we are contributing to our Santa Barbara community, especially our children, by making sure the opportunities to experience all facets of the arts-whether musical, theatrical or multi-cultural are available and abundant.”

Laura BattleBoard Member