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 was created through a highly unique partnership between the SB Unified School District and the non-profit organization called the SB Community Youth Performing Arts Center, Inc. This agreement allows CYPAC to manage and operate The Luke and serve SBJHS staff, faculty, and students for their school needs in the theatre, while also serving the community at large. The Luke staff is paid entirely by privately raised funds – not school funds! CYPAC also maintains the theatre interior and equipment, thus it looks as great today as it did upon completion of the $4 million renovation in the fall of 2003. The theatre staff also works directly with students, training them in technical skills, operations of equipment, and set building. Having a fully staffed, high quality, historic, and award-winning theater on a junior high school campus is highly unique! Check out our website for the amazing line-up of local events and internationally known artists appearing at The Luke, and encourage your students to take advantage of this incredible asset right here on our campus. SBJHS utilizes The Luke about 55% of the year, while community arts and education groups rent the theatre about 45% of the year. The restoration was driven by parents and alums who are passionate about arts education and who were inspired by Marjorie Luke herself, who taught theatre at SBJHS for 14 years. Alum Anthony Edwards was the lead donor ($600,000) and earned the privilege of naming the facility in her honor. Sadly, Marjorie Luke passed away in 2007 but thoroughly enjoyed seeing the theatre come back to life. Over 160 groups in the area have used The Luke since 2003. The Dreier Family Rent Subsidy Fund gives approximately $20,000 annually to local groups to help them afford to rent the theatre. Enjoy, and see you at The Luke soon!
