Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara

06/22/2026

A huge congratulations to Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper, our Narrator, and Jenny Sullivan, our director, plus our tireless creative team, who all brought EVERY BRILLIANT THING to life on our stage these past three weeks. 👏 Their brilliance will be remembered, as will our audience members – including those who participated in each performance and played their roles to perfection.

The end of EVERY BRILLIANT THING also means we’ve now officially wrapped our 2025-26 season of theatre. It has been an honor to bring brilliant stories to the Santa Barbara community this past year, and we’re excited to do it all again next season. Thank you for joining us and supporting theatre in the community!

📸 Zach Mendez

06/20/2026

At ETC, we do more than just present live theatre — check out our upcoming summer theatre performance camps (our first session starts in T-minus 9 days!), classes, and intensives for kids and teens below. Space is limited and some programs are nearly sold out, so act fast to ensure the young artist in your life can join in the fun!

Camp DramaRama
Ages: 9-13
June 29 – July 11, 2026
Monday - Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Final Showcase: Saturday, July 11 at 1:00 p.m.
ALMOST SOLD OUT!

The Acting Intensive
Ages: 14-22
July 20 – 25, 2026
Monday - Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Final Showcase: Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 p.m.
AUDITION REQUIRED

The Musical Theatre Intensive
Ages: 14-22
July 27 – August 1, 2026
Monday - Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Final Showcase Saturday, August 1 at 1:00 p.m.
AUDITION REQUIRED

Learn more and register here: https://etcsb.org/education-and-outreach/the-young-actors-conservatory/

06/18/2026

The joy continues at The New Vic – we’re hosting some special events before and after tonight’s 7:30 pm performance of EVERY BRILLIANT THING!

At 6:45 pm, come mingle with friends and enjoy a complimentary show-themed cocktail with your ticket purchase because – it’s Pride Night in The New Vic Courtyard! 🌈

And, immediately following the performance, patrons are invited to participate in an informal 20-30 minute Q&A about the show. 🎤

📅 EVERY BRILLIANT THING runs through June 21. Tickets available now!

Purchase tickets:
🎟️ Online: etcsb.org/production/every-brilliant-thing
☎️ Phone: 805-965-5400
📍 In person: 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara

📸 Zach Mendez

06/17/2026

It’s our third and final week of EVERY BRILLIANT THING! While performances may be counting down, we still have a whole week’s worth of joy to bring Santa Barbara, including some special events before and after today’s performances:

Before today’s (Wednesday, June 17) 2:00 pm performance, join us at 1:15 pm for a delicious conversation over tea with a special guest speaker who will share insights on topics related to the production. 🫖

And before today’s (Wednesday, June 17) 7:30 pm performance, join Dramaturg Ward LeHardy at 6:45 pm for a free, lively, and informative half-hour talk in The New Vic courtyard before the performance. 💬

📅 EVERY BRILLIANT THING runs through June 21. Tickets available now!

Purchase tickets:
🎟️ Online: etcsb.org/production/every-brilliant-thing
☎️ Phone: 805-965-5400
📍 In person: 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara

📸 Zach Mendez

06/16/2026

Nominate Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara for the Santa Barbara Independent's Best of Santa Barbara awards! Nominations are open until July 1, where you can nominate us in the Theatre Company category within the broader Out & About section. Learn more about the process and nominate us at bestof.independent.com.

Thank you to everyone who supports ETC and for your nominations in this year’s Best of Santa Barbara awards!

06/12/2026

At ETC, we believe in the transformative power of community collaboration. We are proud to partner with local mental health and wellness organizations to promote awareness, understanding, and accessibility of mental health resources. Through these partnerships, we aim to create a safe and encouraging environment where everyone can engage in open conversations about mental health and well-being, fostering a healthier community for all.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about self-harm or su***de, there is help available. Call or text 988 for the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

❤️ Our community partners:

CALM
Cottage Health
Mental Wellness Center
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Santa Barbara County
New Beginnings Counseling Center
Open Minds Mental Health Services
Pacific Pride Foundation
Standing Together to End Sexual Assault - STESA
YouthWell Mental Health & Wellness, Santa Barbara County

06/11/2026

SLO Review praises our production of EVERY BRILLIANT THING, and draws special attention to our Narrator, writing: “Mongiardo-Cooper is confident and charming, giving a visceral performance… [he] displays tender vulnerability along with a sturdy stamina that not only endears him to his audience, but speaks truth to the play’s affirmation of life.”

Tickets are still available for this heartwarming story about the brilliant things in life. Now playing at the New Vic through June 21.

Purchase tickets:
🎟️ Online: etcsb.org/production/every-brilliant-thing
☎️ Phone: 805-965-5400
📍 In person: 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara

📸 Zach Mendez

“A stunning, interactive theatrical event. It achieves the near-impossible: making a room full of people feel genuinely connected and uplifted.”

06/10/2026

Reviews are in! 🌟 The Santa Barbara Independent writes about EVERY BRILLIANT THING that “Watching audience members embrace their assigned roles with such enthusiasm and commitment proved one of the production’s greatest pleasures.” They also praise how “[Nicholas] Mongiardo-Cooper carries the evening with effortless charisma” and remark “[Jenny] Sullivan’s direction understands that Every Brilliant Thing succeeds not because of theatrical spectacle but because of human connection.”

Tickets are available for this celebration of life’s small wonders and the people who help us recognize them. Now playing at the New Vic through June 21.

Purchase tickets:
🎟️ Online: etcsb.org/production/every-brilliant-thing
☎️ Phone: 805-965-5400
📍 In person: 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara

📸 Zach Mendez

“A stunning, interactive theatrical event. It achieves the near-impossible: making a room full of people feel genuinely connected and uplifted.”

06/09/2026

EVERY BRILLIANT THING is currently playing at The New Vic! If you’re attending Wednesday, June 10th’s performance, be sure to join us before curtain for a FREE Pre-Show Talk starting at 6:45 pm in the Courtyard. Otherwise, we can’t wait for everyone to experience this touching story about the small joys in life. ✨

📅 EVERY BRILLIANT THING runs through June 21. Tickets available now!

Purchase tickets:
🎟️ Online: etcsb.org/production/every-brilliant-thing
☎️ Phone: 805-965-5400
📍 In person: 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara

📸 Zach Mendez

06/06/2026

It’s our official Opening Night of EVERY BRILLIANT THING! ⭐ Written by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe, ETC veteran Jenny Sullivan directs our production starring Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper as the Narrator. Together, they will take you on a journey through the ups and downs of life, highlighting the many brilliant things that make it worth living.

📅 EVERY BRILLIANT THING runs through June 21. Tickets available now!

Purchase tickets:
🎟️ Online: etcsb.org/production/every-brilliant-thing
☎️ Phone: 805-965-5400
📍 In person: 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara

📸 Zach Mendez