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Description:
The historic Santa Barbara Junior High School Theatre provides a fertile learning ground in the arts for countless young people. Actors, dancers, musicians, directors, producers, designers, technicians, managers and agents have launched careers which were conceived within the walls of the grand proscenium stage theatre on the campus of this diverse school.

The rich legacy of performing arts education at Santa Barbara Junior High School and the unique potential and assets of the theatre facility make it a perfect home for a performing arts center dedicated to all the youth of Santa Barbara.

In March of 1999, Santa Barbara Junior High School held a memorable alumni gathering which honored Marjorie Luke and the performing arts faculty of the 1960‹¨«s and 1970‹¨«s. The event drew over 500 people and raised $80,000. The Santa Barbara Community Youth Performing Arts Center (CYPAC) was formed to administer the funds raised to renovate the theatre and initiate the development of a youth performing arts center.

Since the summer of 1999, the Board of Directors has moved forward with the development of a relationship with the Santa Barbara High School District to create a long-term partnership to allow for the theatre facility to be operated by CYPAC as a joint-use venue. The theatre will be used by Santa Barbara Junior High School and by community arts organizations. Assisted by diverse community adult and youth Advisors, this 501 c 3 non-profit corporation has worked closely to research and plan the complete renovation of this historic theatre. Funds from private donors, foundations, businesses, the State of California and Measure V Bond funds have been joined to meet the $3.7 million budget to renovate and operate the Marjorie Luke Theatre.

The architecture of Santa Barbara Junior High is ranked with that of the Mission and the Santa Barbara Court House. It is a classic example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with its impressive, ornate tower, arches, extensive tile work, wrought iron and stone work, and fascinating details of gargoyles and busts of Italian explorers. The school and its showplace theatre were built in 1931 during the Great Depression by WPA workers ‹¨« talented artisans and craftsmen who were out of work. The Theatre boasts a proscenium stage complete with working fly loft, an ornate plaster relief of cherubs and florets over the stage, a wood vaulted ceiling, and wrought iron chandeliers.

---www.luketheatre.org

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