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.

Jesse Arehart

Theatre Coordinator

Jesse Arehart moved here from Ypsilanti, MI where he worked at Dreamland Theater as a writer, performer, and puppeteer. A musician first, his love of the stage began early in childhood with his first string bass lesson and has grown to encompass a variety of instruments as well as sound engineering and production. He can frequently be seen strolling the streets of Santa Barbara, loving its beauty and friendly people.

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.