Lobero Theatre
Exterior of venue, from Canon Perdido St (c.2005) | |
Interactive map of Lobero Theatre | |
| Address | 33 E Canon Perdido St Santa Barbara, California United States |
|---|---|
| Owner | Lobero Theatre Foundation |
| Capacity | 604 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | February 22, 1873 |
| Renovated |
|
| Architect | George Washington Smith, Lutah Maria Riggs |
| Website | |
| Venue website | |
| Reference no. | 361 |
The Lobero Theatre is a performing arts theater in Santa Barbara, California. Originally built in 1873, the theater was registered as a California Historical Landmark in 1939. It is now California’s oldest theater in continuous operation and the fourth-oldest performing arts theater in the United States.
History
The Lobero Theatre opened in 1873.[1] It was originally built as an opera house in a refurbished adobe schoolhouse by Italian immigrant José Lobero.[2] In 1924, architects George Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs rebuilt the theater for the Drama Branch of the Community Arts Association, during a period when civil leaders in Santa Barbara were increasingly focusing on Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.[3][4]
A California historical landmark,[5] the theater is California’s oldest continuously operating theater and the fourth-oldest performing arts theater in the United States.[6]
Description
Located downtown at the corner of Anacapa and Canon Perdido streets, The theatre continues to host arts and cultural events on 250 or more days per year.[7] Because of its live acoustics and relatively small size it is particularly suited to chamber music.[7] The Music Academy of the West holds many of its summer concerts in the Lobero.[8]
See also
- History of Santa Barbara, California
- California Historical Landmarks in Santa Barbara County, California
References
- ^ Conard, Rebecca, Christopher H. Nelson, and Mary Louise Days. 1986. Santa Barbara: a guide to El Pueblo Viejo. Santa Barbara, Calif: Capra Press, p.122.
- ^ Crabtree, Cheryl (September 15, 2022). "A Standing Ovation for Santa Barbara's Lobero Theatre". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ Tompkins, Walker A. Santa Barbara, Past and Present. Tecolote Books, Santa Barbara, 1975. p. 94-5
- ^ "Santa Barbara Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture Story". searchingsantabarbara.com. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ "Lobero Theatre". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
- ^ "Lobero Theatre". Visit Santa Barbara. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ a b "Experience the History of Santa Barbara's Lobero Theatre". The Eagle Inn. May 31, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Oberjat, Kate (March 18, 2025). "Music Academy of the West announces 2025 Summer Music Festival & School". Music Academy of the West. Retrieved February 4, 2026.