FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026 at 7:30PM SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2026 at 2:30PM
LOBERO THEATRE
JOIN US FOR Opera in the Park
Sunday, June 7th Elings Park
Opera is back under the open sky! OSB proudly revives Opera in the Park, with a family-friendly program dedicated entirely to American opera. Join us for an unforgetable afternoon of music, storytelling, and community as we celebrate homegrown talent in a beautiful outdoor setting. Visit OPERASB.ORG for more information and to purchase tickets.
Trained in Santa Barbara...
Applauded on our Stage!
Bob Weinman congratulates Music Academy Alumni who have gone on to perform with Opera Santa Barbara.
Dr. Binch ......................................................................................................................... William Lyons + Chrisman Studio Artist Alumni
PRODUCTION
CONDUCTOR
Kostis Protopapas
STAGE DIRECTOR
Tara Faircloth
SCENIC DESIGNER
Laura Fine Hawkes
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Helena Kuukka
COSTUME MANAGER
Stacie Logue
PROPS DESIGNER
T. Theresa Scarano
HAIR & MAKEUP
DESIGNER
Heather Sterling
ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR
Alexandra Enyart
CHORUS MASTER
Kostis Protopapas
REHEARSAL PIANIST
Catherine Miller
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
Kourtni Dale Noll
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Todd Jared
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS
Jessica Haro
Brynn Jones
KEY WIG & MAKEUP SUPERVISOR
Heather Sterling
HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST
Berenice Gallegos
Marisol Miller-Wave
COSTUME SHOP STAFF
Kim Foster
Erica Monroe
SEASON ART
Julia Lieberman
Logan Tanner Caesar and Cleopatra
Nathan Stark Das Rheingold
Evan Bravos and Ashley Armstrong in As One
Deborah Nansteel Il Tovatore
Bernardo Bermudez Zorro
Michael Segura Carmen
J o i n O p e r a S a n t a B a r b a r a ' s
T h e B r a v o S o c i e t y w a s e s t a b l i s h e d f o r i n d i v i d u a l s w h o w a n t
t o l e a v e a l a s t i n g l e g a c y t o e n s u r e o
S
t h a n k t h e f
Rodney Baker and Robert Ooley
B a r b a r a H B u r g e r
Barbara H. Burger
D r M a r y C o l l i e r
Karen C. Knight
S u z a n n e a n d D u n c a n M e l l i c h a m p
Suzanne and Duncan Mellichamp
L o r i M e s c h l e r
ELMER GANTRY SPONSORS
PRODUCTION SPONSOR
George H. and Olive J. Griffiths Charitable Foundation
CHRISMAN EMERGING ARTIST FUND
Elmer Gantry, Evan Bravos
Sharon Falconer, Christina Pezarossi
Lulu Baines, Brooklyn Snow
Frank Shallard, Matthew Greenblatt
TJ Rigg, Colin Ramsey
THE CREATORS CIRCLE
ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR, ALEXANDRA ENYART
Olympia Coppélius
MR. BAINES, NATHAN STARK
Robert Weinman
OSB CHORUS
Simon and Euzetta Williams
LIGHTING DESIGNER, HELENA KUUKKA
Nikkaëlle Burlett
Dr. Mary Collier
Lori Meschler
P a t r i c i a B i v a n s D i x o n
M a r y T o n e t t i D o r r a
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Marilyn Gilbert
N a n c y a n d F r e d G o l d e n
E r i c O l t m a n n a n d S u s a n V a n A b e l
Eric Oltmann and Susan Van Abel
J e a n R o g e r s
Jean Rogers
J o a n R u t k o w s k i
MRS. BAINES, ADRIEN ROBERTS
Bella Domani
LED SUPERTITLES
Barbara Burger
P a m e l a G u n t h e r
Nancy Golden
Pamela Gunther
C h r i s t i n e a n d M i c h a e l H o l l a n d
Christine and Michael Holland
H e r b e r t K e n d a l l
Herbert Kendall
Mahri Kerley
Joan Rutkowski
J u d i t h S m i t h
REVIVAL SINGER, BYRON MAYES
D r R o b e r t W e i n m a n
Judith Smith
Arthur Swalley
Takako Wakita
Dr. Robert Weinman
Learn more about Bravo operasb org/support or contac at amy@operasb.org
Learn more about Bravo Society membership and benefits at operasb.org/support or contact Nina Dunbar, Deputy General Director at Nina@operasb.org
Robert Weinman
STEP INTO THE STORY—SPONSOR TODAY!
Did you know that without our donors the average cost of an OSB opera ticket would be $283 instead of $96? We are grateful to our donors, sponsors, and foundations, whose generosity allows us to present high quality operas while keeping ticket prices affordable.
Sponsorships are one of the most important ways opera lovers can help bring works like this to the stage. For more information about becoming a sponsor or artist host, contact Jessica@operasb.org or call our office at (805) 898-3890 Ext 1.
Please turn off all cell phones, electronic devices, and watch alarms. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the house management. Members of the audience who leave during the performance will not be shown back into the theater until the next intermission. The use of camera and recording equipment is strictly prohibited. Your use of a ticket acknowledges your willingness to appear in photographs taken or videos filmed in public areas of the Lobero Theatre, and releases the theater and its lessees and others from liability resulting from use of such photographs or video footage.
Congratulations to Opera Santa Barbara on its 32nd season of bringing world class opera to Santa Barbara!
An American Tragedy
There is a particular kind of American hunger… restless, outsized, dressed up in borrowed righteousness…that is almost perfectly captured in Sinclair Lewis’s novel of 1927: Elmer Gantry. A man of tremendous appetite but very little moral center, Elmer is a character all too familiar to a modern audience: a man who stumbles from one success to another, with little regard for the human wreckage he leaves behind.
When we first encounter Elmer, he is gloriously free. He drinks too much, wants too much, and possesses the one gift most dangerous in the hands of an unprincipled man: the ability to make others believe. It is this gift, not faith, certainly not goodness, that draws him into the orbit of the revivalist tent, into a world that rewards exactly the talents he was born with.
And then there is Sharon Falconer, the moral and dramatic heart of this opera. Sharon believes with her whole being: in God, in her mission, in the transformative power of revival. That belief is genuine, entrancing, and it eventually kills her. Elmer Gantry believes in almost nothing beyond himself, and he survives. The opera refuses to punish him satisfyingly or redeem him meaningfully. He simply... continues.
This opera does not offer a tidy moral. Instead, it reflects a deeply upsetting truth: American public life rewards performance over substance. The revival tent, the political rally, the sales pitch…they are all the same mechanism. What the crowd responds to is not truth but the feeling of truth, and they will follow whomever can give it to them. The society that turns spiritual hunger into entertainment and commerce deserves the Elmer Gantry it produces. He is the logical endpoint of a culture that cannot distinguish between genuine faith and manufactured charisma, between a prophet and a pitchman.
Which brings us to the painful question: if the righteous burn and the opportunists endure… and if we have cheered for each of them…what does that say about us?
Tara Faircloth, Director
SYNOPSIS
COMPOSER
Robert Aldridge and Herschel Garfein
REDUCED ORCHESTRATION BY ANDREW KOSINSKI
SUNG IN ENGLISH
SUPERTITILES IN ENGLISH
RUN TIME: 2 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES, INCLUDING A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION
ENGLISH SUPERTITLES BY: MICHAEL CHADWICK, CHADWICK CREATIVE ARTS
MAY 1, 2026 AT 7:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE MAY 3, 2026 AT 2:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
— ACT I —
The opera opens in a tavern where Elmer Gantry, captain of the Terwillinger College football team, is regaling his friends, including roommate Frank Shallard, with tales of sexual exploits. A young man approaches and taunts Elmer, saying that he "plays football for a sissy bible school". Elmer responds by accusing him of insulting Jesus, and sucker punches him. A chaotic fight ensues.
The next day, Elmer is called to a meeting by Reverend Baines, the president of Terwillinger. He is offered a full scholarship to seminary for his supposed defense of Jesus. Elmer is distracted by Baines' beautiful daughter Lulu, who is engaged to Eddie Fislinger, the head of the campus YMCA. With persuasion from Eddie and lustful thoughts toward Lulu, Elmer decides to accept the scholarship and pursue a career in the ministry.
Eighteen months later while still in seminary, Elmer is hocking farm implements in a nearby town and having an affair with Lulu. He decides to attend a revival meeting held by the famous traveling evangelist, Sharon Falconer. At this meeting he becomes entranced by Falconer. Lulu arrives with Frank to convince him to come clean about their affair, but Elmer chases her away. He approaches Sharon, but she is unimpressed, an unfamiliar and upsetting rejection for Elmer.
Some time later, Elmer is a successful business man in Zenith, Missouri. He encounters Sharon Falconer again whilst she is in Zenith campaigning the Elks' club to help build a "grand tabernacle." With a rousing speech he influences the Elks' club vote and wins Sharon's favor.
Six months later Eddie and Lulu are married and living in Cato, Missouri. Eddie learns of Elmer's endeavor with Falconer to build a tabernacle in Zenith and becomes overwhelmed with hatred and envy.
SYNOPSIS
— ACT II —
Elmer becomes a business partner to Sharon Falconer and confesses his love to her. She reciprocates, but affirms commitment to her religious calling.
Construction begins on the grand tabernacle, financed by TJ Rigg, a local businessman. Eddie, Lulu and Rev. and Mrs. Baines visit the site and privately express their disapproval of the commercial nature of the tabernacle, while Lulu shows renewed romantic interest in Elmer. Frank also visits and expresses his concern about the price of Elmer's success. A debate about old and new practices in religion follows.
A year later, the affair between Elmer and Lulu is reignited with a secret plan by Eddie and Lulu to expose Elmer's deceit. Elmer meets Lulu for a tryst in the nearly completed tabernacle while Eddie looks on in hiding.
Elmer has asked Sharon to marry him and she agrees, despite her recognition of his faults. The night before the tabernacle's opening, she prays for guidance. As a final touch on the tabernacle, a giant cross of electric lights is suspended above the stage.
During the lively grand opening of the tabernacle, Eddie and Lulu come forward and expose Elmer's philandering. Elmer admits his guilt and asks Sharon for forgiveness as chaos erupts in the tabernacle. The electric cross shorts out and the tabernacle catches fire. Horrified by Elmer's deceit, Sharon refuses his help in escaping from the fire; she and her followers burn to death as Elmer escapes.
Some time later, Elmer meets Dr. Binch, founder of the ”New Thought” religious movement. As the curtain descends, Elmer warmly considers embarking on a career peddling the platitudes of this new religion.
World Premiere by Nicolas Blanc Philipp Glass and Kronos Quartet
THE NUTCRACKER
December 18-20
Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra
THE LITTLE MERMAID
March 6-7
Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra
BRAHMS AND BALANCHINE: SLAUGHTER ON 10TH AVENUE
May 22-23
Joint Season
Finale with Santa Barbara Symphony
Chef
ILLUMINATING EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE PURPOSE AND CONNECTION
ARTISTS ARTISTS
KOSTIS PROTOPAPAS
Conductor
Kostis Protopapas was named General Director of Opera Santa Barbara in December 2017, after twoand-a-half seasons as Artistic Director.
During his time as Artistic Director and principal conductor, Kostis brought a unified vision to OSB’s musical and production values, strengthening the orchestra and chorus, engaging some of the country’s most promising young directors and singers, building a high-performing production team, and increasing focus on contemporary American opera. As General Director Kostis assembled Team OSB, a group of enthusiastic overachievers with a passion for innovation and the desire to strengthen the company’s bond with the community, who consistently exceed patrons’ expectations for programs, experiences and communications. Performance highlights from Kostis’ tenure include grand opera classics like Madama Butterfly, Manon, and Eugene Onegin as well as contemporary works like Daniel Catan’s Il Postino, the mariachi opera Cruzar la cara de la luna, and Laura Kaminsky’s As One. In the fall of 2022 the Santa Barbara Independent wrote: “From contemporary work to obscurities from the early 19th century, from staple repertoire to surprise elements, OSB continues to raise the bar on what an opera company can and should be, even in Santa Barbara.”
Between March 2020 and June 2021, under Kostis’ leadership Opera Santa Barbara remained active and fully staffed. It was the first performing arts organization in Santa Barbara to offer streaming programming, and one of only two opera companies in California to present three live operas in the 2020-21 season. Additionally, Opera Santa Barbara became an advocacy leader for the reopening of the performing arts, and funded live performances by local musicians through “Operation Eurydice”. For his work during the pandemic, Kostis was listed among the Santa Barbara Independent’s 2021 Local Heroes.
Before coming to Santa Barbara Kostis was the Artistic Director of Tulsa Opera since 2008. He previously was an Assistant Conductor with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, LA Opera and Santa Fe Opera. At the Lyric Opera of Chicago, he also served as Assistant Chorus Master under Donald Palumbo for two seasons.
Born in Athens, Greece, Kostis Protopapas studied Archaeology and History of Art at the University of Athens before coming to the United States in 1993, on an Onassis Foundation scholarship, to study piano at The Boston Conservatory and conducting at Boston University. He became an American citizen in 2011. He loves living in Santa Barbara and enjoys sailing on the Santa Barbara Channel.
TARA FAIRCLOTH
Stage Director
Stage director Tara Faircloth’s work has been seen in opera houses around the nation and beyond. In recent seasons, she created new productions of Semele (Wolf Trap Opera), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Juilliard Opera), Amadigi (Ars Lyrica Houston), and Don Giovanni (Arizona Opera), and remounted several of her own productions: Pagliacci and The Little Prince at Utah Opera, and Loving Clara with Mercury. The 25/26 season includes new productions of Elmer Gantry, The Marriage of Figaro and a fully-staged expansion of the Fidelio she created for the Houston Symphony in 2017. This summer, Ms. Faircloth will be in Japan to direct a production of Gianni Schicchi at the New National Theatre in Tokyo.
She lives in Austin with her husband and rescue pup Audrey, and spends her free time gardening and needlepointing.
EVAN BRAVOS
Elmer Gantry
Hometown: St. Charles, IL
Lives in: Chicago, IL
Previously at OSB: As One (Hannah Before), 2022, The Cunning Little Vixen (Harashta) 2017, Carmen (Le Dancaïre), 2016
Career Highlights: Pagliacci (Silvio), Opera Tampa; Candide (Maximilian) Ravinia Festival; Cold Mountain (Inman) Music Academy of the West
Upcoming Engagements: La Belle Epoque: a concert of French Art Song, Glessner House; David et Jonathas (Guerrier), Haymarket Opera; Annual Concert: Opera Naxos (Naxos, Greece) www.evanbravosbaritone.com
CHRISTINA PEZZAROSSI
Sharon Falconer
Hometown: Miles City, MT
Lives in: Ventura, CA
Previously at OSB: Caesar and Cleopatra (Cornelia), 2026; Le nozze di Figaro (Marcellina), 2025; El gato con botas (El gato), 2023; The Valkyrie (Rossweisse), 2023; The Light in the Piazza (Margaret), 2023; La scala di
ARTISTS ARTISTS
seta (Lucilla), 2022; Semele (Ino), 2022; Das Rheingold (Wellegunde), 2021
Career Highlights: Le nozze di Figaro (Cherubino) Opera Las Vegas; Carmen (Carmen), Opera San Luis Obispo; Florencia en el Amazonas (Paula), Pensacola Opera.
Upcoming Engagements: Carmen (Carmen) Valley Opera & Performing Arts. www.christinapezzarossimezzo.com
MATTHEW GREENBLATT
Frank Shallard
Hometown: Port Washington, New York
Lives in: Nashville, Tennessee
Previously at OSB: The Light In the Piazza (Fabrizio), 2023; Semele (Jupiter cover), 2022
Career Highlights: West Side Story (Tony), New Philharmonic; Into the Woods (Cinderella's Prince), Union Avenue Opera; The Light In the Piazza (Fabrizio), Opera Santa Barbara
Upcoming Engagements: Concert with Musica Le Mans (France); Trouble in Tahiti (3rd Trio member), Amelia Island Opera matthewgreenblatt.com
WILLIAM GRUNDLER
Eddie Fislinger
Hometown: Ventura, CA
Lives in: Simi Valley, CA
Previously at OSB: The Marriage of Figaro (Don Curzio), 2025; Chorus for Il Trovatore, 2024; Carmen, 2023; Eugene Onegin, 2019; Announcer for Carmen: A Live Drive-In Opera, 2020.
Career Highlights: Scalia/Ginsburg (Antonin Scalia), Pacific Opera Project; La Bohème (Rodolfo Cover), Pacific Symphony; Tosca (Spoletta), Sacramento Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Completing the libretto and score for his first opera, a comedic setting of the Book of Tobit.
williamgrundler.com
BROOKLYN SNOW
Lulu
Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon
Lives in: Nashville, Tennessee
Previously at OSB: The Light In the Piazza (Clara), 2023; Das Rheingold (Woglinde), 2021; At the Statue of Venus (Rose), 2021 as a Studio Artist
Career Highlights: Les Contes d'Hoffmann (Olympia, Giulietta, Antonia), Union Avenue Opera; Candide (Cunegonde), Union Avenue Opera; My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), Union Avenue Opera
Upcoming Engagements: L'elisir d'amore (Adina), Musica Le Mans (France); Trouble in Tahiti (Girl in Trio), Amelia Island Opera
Where can we find you: brooklynsnow.com
NATHAN STARK
Reverend Baines
Hometown: Hughson, CA
Lives in: Seattle, WA
Previously at OSB: il Barbiere di Siviglia (Don Basilio), 2019, Das Rheingold (Fasolt) 2021
Career Highlights: il Barbiere di Siviglia (Dr. Bartolo) Opera Theater of Saint Louis, Pirates of Penzance (Sergent of Police) Seattle Opera, Antony and Cleopatra (Enobarbus) Metropolitan Opera.
Upcoming Engagements: L’Italiana in Algeri (Mustafá), Northern Lights Music Festival, Silent Night (The French General *cover) Metropolitan Opera, Der fliegende Holländer (Daland), Opera Orlando.
Nathan-Stark.com
COLIN RAMSEY
T.J. Rigg
Hometown: Greenwich, CT
Lives in: Ventura, CA
Previously at OSB: Caesar and Cleopatra (Caesar), 2026; Le nozze di Figaro (Figaro) 2025; Carmen (Escamillo) 2023; Die Walkure (Hunding) 2023; Semele (Cadmus and Somnus) 2022; Das Rheingold (Fafner)
2022; The Crucible (Reverend Hale) 2019; Manon (Count des Grieux) 2017
Career Highlights: Andrea Chenier (Dumas Cover), Metropolitan Opera; La Cenerentola (Alidoro), Lyric Opera Kansas City; Romeo et Juliette (Capulet), San Diego Opera; Dr. Atomic (Edward Teller, cover), Santa Fe Opera; The Consul (Mr. Kofner) Seattle Opera
Upcoming Engagements: The Creation (Soloist), San Luis Obispo Master Chorale; Turandot (Timur)
Orchestre Philharmonique des Melomanes; TBA Opera Lafayette, TBA Metropolitan Opera colinramsey.com
ADRIEN ROBERTS
Mrs. Baines
Hometown: Danville, CA
Lives in: Lakewood, CA
Previously at OSB: Cavalleria Rusticana (Mamma Lucia), Le Nozze di Figaro (Countess Almaviva), A Light in the Piazza (Franca), La Traviata (Annina), La Rondine (Yvette), The Cunning Little Vixen (Rooster), plus numerous productions in the chorus.
Career Highlights: Le Nozze di Figaro (Countess Almaviva), OSB; Faust (Marguerite), VOPA Opera; Madama Butterfly (Cio Cio San), Center Stage Opera; La Boheme (Mimi), Festival Opera. Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman)
Upcoming Engagements: BOTH: Beatles Gospel
Nativity Story (Elizabeth); The Great Clown Bank Show (Glenda Greedy)
BYRON J. MAYES
Revival Singer
Hometown: Houston, TX
Lives in: Santa Barbara, CA
Previously at OSB: Le Nozze di Figaro (Antonio), 2025; La fille du régiment (Corporal), 2025; Trouble in Tahiti (Sam), 2018; Gallantry (Dr. Gregg),2018; Il barbiere di Siviglia (Fiorello), 2018; Manon (Guard), 2017; La Rondine (Crébillon), 2017
Career Highlights: Hansel und Gretel (Peter), Opera
in the Heights; L’elisir D’amore (Dulcamara), Opera in the Heights and Pacific Opera Project.
@voicingbyron
WILLIAM LYONS
Dr. Binch
Hometown: Carbondale, IL
LIVES IN: Glendale, CA
Previously at OSB: (OSB debut), Giulio Cesare chorus
Career Highlights: The Magic Flute (Monostatos), Landmark Opera, 2023; Trial by Jury (The Defendant), Opera a la Carte, 2023; Die Fledermaus (Alfred), Santa Monica College Opera, 2022.
LAURA FINE HAWKES
Scenic Designer
Hometown: Edmond, OK
Lives in: Binghamton, NY
Previously at OSB: OSB Debut
Career Highlights: Le Nozze di Figaro, Wolftrap Opera; Ariadne auf Naxos, Wolftrap Opera; Cosi fan Tutte, Arizona Opera; Pagiacchi and Gianni Schicchi, Utah Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Picnic, Syracuse University; The Late Wedding, Binghamton University; Riders of the Purple Sage, Opera Santa Barbara www.designhawkes.com
HELENA KUUKKA
Lighting Designer
Hometown: Helsinki, Finland
Lives in: Novato, CA
Previously at OSB: Caesar & Cleopatra, Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, Zorro, Carmen, Tosca, An American Dream, La Scala di Seta, Eugene Onegin, Barber of Seville.
Career Highlights: Aida (Vancouver Opera), Eugene Onegin (Florida Grand Opera), Dracula (Ballet Memphis), Jersey Boys (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma)
ARTISTS
Upcoming Engagements: Annie, Sister Act and Sweeney Todd (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma)
STACIE LOGUE
Costume Designer
Hometown: SoCal
Lives in: Ventura
Previously at OSB: worked with the company since 2004
Upcoming Engagements: Little Women (costume designer), Westmont College; Elmer Gantry (costume manager), Opera Santa Barbara
T. THERESA SCARANO
Props Designer
Hometown: Roswell, New Mexico.
Lives in: Southern California
Previously at OSB: Prop Designer since 2017
Career Highlights: San Bernardino CLO/The Set Company (Scenery Rental Manager); Daddy Longlegs (Prop Designer), original production; Universal Studios Hollywood (Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure and Grinchmas). Whatever I'm currently working on!
Previously at OSB: The Daughter of the Regiment (2025), The Marriage of Figaro (2025), Pagliacci (2024), Zorro (2024), Il Trovatore (2024), Carmen (2023)
Career Highlights: Alisa Weilerstein’s: FRAGMENTS
(Hair/Makeup Designer), Askonas Holt; Manona (Hair/ Makeup Designer), Opera Santa Barbara; Candide (Wig/Makeup Designer), San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Upcoming Engagements: Cendrillon (SFCM)
ALEXANDRA ENYART
Assistant Conductor
HOMETOWN: Alexandria, KY
LIVES IN: Chicago, IL
Previously at OSB: As One (Conductor) 2022, Tosca (Assistant Conductor)2022, La scala di seta (Conductor) 2022, Die Walküre (Assistant Conductor) 2023, Il trovatore (Assistant Conductor) 2024, Cavalleria Rusticana (Assistant Conductor) 2025
Career Highlights: Cendrillon (Massanet), Opera Orlando; Rusalka (Dvorak), Pacific Opera Project; Die tote stadt (Korngold) Chicago City Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Der Rosenkavalier (Strauss), Chicago City Opera; Il fortunato inganno (Donizetti), Pacific Opera Project, Der Vampyr (Marschner) Chicago City Opera alexandraenyart.com
CATHERINE MILLER
Rehearsal Pianist
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Lives in: Los Angeles
Previously at OSB: Streetcar Named Desire, Cunning Little Vixen, The Consul, L'Elisir D'Amore, Don Giovanni
Upcoming Engagements: staff at The Institute For Dramatic Voices led by Dolora Zajick
KOURTNI DALE NOLL
Production Stage Manager
Name: Kourtni Dale Noll - Production Stage Manager
Hometown: Plano, TX
Lives In: Camarillo, CA
Previously at OSB: PSM, Marriage of Figaro, 2025
Highlights: Celebrating 13 years at OSB!
Upcoming Engagements: PSM at OSB for the 20252026 season!
Where can we find you: https://cosoc.com/KidKourt13
JESSICA HARO
Assistant Stage Manager
Name and Role: Jessica Haro, ASM
Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA
Lives in: Santa Barbara, CA
Previously at OSB: Il Trovatore, Pagliacci, The Marriage of Figaro, Daughter of the Regiment
Career Highlights: Pretty Woman The Musical (Production Stage Manager), The Gateway; Lilian (Production Stage Manager), Ensemble Theatre Company; Carmen (Assistant Stage Manager), Music Academy of the West.
Upcoming Engagements: More OSB!
BRYNN JONES
Assistant Stage Manager
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Lives in: Los Angeles, CA
Previously at OSB: El Gato Con Botas (PSM), 2023; Marriage of Figaro (ASM), 2025; Zorro (ASM) 2024; and many more!
Career Highlights: Brynn has worked previously with the LA Opera, LA Philharmonic, Santa Barbara Symphony, Chicago Playwrights, and more.
ARTISTS
TODD JARED
Technical Director
Hometown: Hollywood, CA
Lives in: Carpinteria, CA
Previously at OSB: Multiple productions since the company’s birth in 1993.
Career Highlights: Technical Director for the Lobero Theatre since 1992.
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
FOUNDERS
Marilyn Gilbert & Nathan Rundlett
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nikkaëlle Burlett, Chair
Robert Weinman, 1st Vice Chair
Christine Holland, 2nd Vice Chair
Torben von Staden, Treasurer
Rodney Baker, Secretary
Arthur Swalley, Member at Large
Barbara Burger
Judy Dean
Brian Galura
Dan Hone
Mahri Kerley
Karen Knight
Joan Rutkowski
Judith Smith
OSB CIRCLE OF HONOR
Sarah & Roger Chrisman
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Fred and Nancy Golden
Herbert Kendall*
Sarah Jane Lind*
Sandra Urquhart
Takako Wakita
Monica Williams
Simon Williams
Suzanne and Duncan Mellichamp
Eric Oltmann
Mary Penny
Dan Reicker*
Fred Sidon
VALUED FORMER BOARD MEMBERS
Richard Aberle*
Susan Aberle
Pat Andersons
James Ballantine
Britt Beauvoix
Peter Bertling
Marlyn Bernard Bernstein*
Sue Birch
Cynthia Brittain
Jim Burkemper*
Christopher Carroll*
Sarah & Roger Chrisman
Bonnie Corman
Marilyn Crawford
Roger Davidson*
Denise DeBellefeuille
George DeRado*
Josepha DeRado
Patricia Dixon
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Nick DiNapoli*
Jon DuPrau
Leni Fe Bland*
Kenneth Fitzpatrick
Louise Gaylord
Steve Gilbar
Fred and Nancy Golden
Mary Hampson
William Jones
Stuart Kart
Gregory McMurray
Suzanne and Duncan Mellichamp
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
TEAM OSB
ARTISTIC & GENERAL DIRECTOR
Kostis Protopapas
DEPUTY GENERAL DIRECTOR FOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Nina Dunbar
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Helena Kuukka
EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT & ADMIN OFFICER
Jessica Hetrick
COMPANY & MEDIA MANAGER
Julia Lieberman
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Nicole Hunsaker
HOUSING DONORS
Minos Athanassiadis and Tracey Reif
Rodney Baker and Robert Ooley
Veronique Chevalier
Jared Darlington
Judy Dean
Nanette and Jeff Giordano
Jayne Menkemeller
Dylan Minor
Carolina Montgomery
A.C. Moore
Martin Moskovits
Eric Oltmann
David Peri*
Paksy Plackis-Cheng
William Ramsay*
Ida Rickborn*
Dan Reicker*
Jean Rogers
J. Gordon Schontzler*
Eric Small
Linda Van Buren
Joann Younger
Christine and Michael Holland
Robert Ramey
Maggie and Jon Silverstein
Torben and Lauren von Staden
Michael and Beverly Steinfeld
SPECIAL THANKS
Rodney Baker and Robert Ooley for hosting our Artist Welcome Party
Costumes designed by Camille Assaf Doshi
Costumes provided by the Florentine Opera Company
CONSULTANTS
Karen Kowalski
Mendez
Bravissimi!
We gratefully acknowledge the members of our community who have kept opera a vibrant part of Santa Barabra this year.
GRAND IMPRESARIO
($25,000+)
Susan Aberle
Nikkaëlle Burlett
The Christopher Carroll Endowment
Monica Eiler
Sarah and Roger Chrisman
Bella Domani
The Gainey Foundation
Cheryl Goldberg
Fred and Nancy Golden
Green Hills Software
The Mithun Family Foundation
The Mosher Foundation
Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation
Joan Rutkowski
The Smidt Family Foundation
Marc and Pauline Sylvain
Dr. Robert and Sandy Urquhart
Carol Vernon and Robert Turbin
Dr. Robert Weinman
Brooke and Monica Williams
Zegar Family Foundation
PLATINUM IMPRESARIO
($10,000 - $24,999)
Ann Jackson Family Foundation
Roxana Anson
Arlington Financial Advisors, LLC
Margaret Campbell Arvey
Rodney Baker and Robert Ooley
Eve Bernstein
John Bowers
Barbara H. Burger
Dan and Meg Burnham
Denise and Ian Burrows
George H. and Olive J. Griffiths Charitable Foundation
The Granada Theatre
Mary Hampson
Glen and Nancy Holden
Christine and Michael Holland
Dan and Donna Hone
John C. Mithun Foundation
Mahri Kerley
The Lobero Theatre Foundation
David Mason
Dick and Marilyn Mazess
McIntyre Family Fund
Duncan and Suzanne Mellichamp
Montecito Bank & Trust
Music Performance Trust Fund
Farrokh and Sally Nazerian
Eric Oltmann and Susan Van Abel
Romy Reicker
Jean Rogers
Santa Barbara Auto Group
Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture
Charles Schweppe and Ingrid Olsson
The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts
Torben and Lauren von Staden
Takako Wakita
Dr. Simon and Euzetta Williams
Joann Younger
IMPRESARIO CIRCLE
GOLD IMPRESARIO
($5,000-$9,999)
Todd and Allyson Aldrich
Joan H. Davidson
Judy Dean
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Melody Ellison and F. Robert Miller III
Farmers and Merchants Trust Company
The Hamister Foundation
Dr. Gerhart Hoffmeister
Jovita and Alex Honor
Lynn P. Kirst
Chris Lancashire
Dr. Ron Latimer
Rick O'shay and Teresa Kuskey
Kostis Protopapas
David Reichert
Lee and Linda Rosenberg
Dana White
Philip Wyatt
SILVER IMPRESARIO
($2,500-$4,999)
Richard and Kathy Abbott
Robert F. Adams and Nancy Clare Caponi
James and Lisa Ballantine
NancyBell Coe
Jon DuPrau
Martha Fling
Bunny Freidus
Jeffrey and Nanette Giordano
Cecilia Harris
Karin Jacobson
Arlene Larsen
Julia Lowell and Douglas Steigerwald
Peter Morris
Judith Muller
Veronique Chevalier
Donley and Valerie Olson
Performing Arts
Scholarship Foundation
Christine and Stefan Riesenfeld
Ronus Foundation
Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation
Santa Barbara Foundation
Anitra Sheen
Judith Smith
Mark Suarez
Arthur Swalley
Anne Towbes
Vista del Monte
Elizabeth von Summer
Drs. Fred and Linda Wudl
IMPRESARIO
($1,700-$2,499)
Don and Ann Bankhead
Peter and Linda Beuret
Debbie and Mike Bruce
Marilyn Gilbert
John and Ilse Gilbert
Jane & Ken Hahn
Peggy Hill
Henning Jensen
George Konstantinow and Helene Segal
Tracy and Vicki Noll
Susan Schmidt
The Seniel and Dorothy Ostrow Foundation
Owen Smith
Sandra Walther
More Splashing.
Some come for strength training, some for selfcare, and everyone appreciates the camaraderie they find. The wellness programs and social activities at the Vista del Monte Fitness and Aquatic Center do wonders for the body and the mind. The best part? You don’t have to be a Vista resident to experience it— anyone 50+ can join.
Visit sbseniorfit.org or call ( 805) 879-5556 to schedule a tour and become a Fitness and Aquatic Center member. Dive in!
FOUNDING TEAM
Frank Tabar, MBA, CTA, CFE, CSOP
Joseph Weiland, CFP ®
Dianne Duva, CFP ®
Wells Hughes
John Lorenz
Cody Makela, CFP ®
Arthur Swalley, CIMA®
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
AFICIONADO
($500-$1,699)
Guenter Ahlers
Debbie and Greg Armstrong
Minos and Tracey Athanassiadis
Jim Bagley
Kara and Derek Beaulieu
Robert Benham
Mashey Bernstein
Jehanne Brown
Sarah-Bina Burke
Janey and Ken Campbell
Veronique Chevalier
Dr. Bonnie Corman PhD
Jim Craviotto
Kourtni Dale Noll
Jared Darlington
Robert & Nancy Dein
Meg DiNapoli
Dianne Duva
Klara Dykastova von Steinsberg
Gini Frauenthal
Brian and Jana Galura
Bob and Mary Gates
Dolores and Fred Gillmore
Ruth and Alan Heeger
Barbara Hirsch
Brian Hotchkin
The Hutton Parker Foundation
Ugo and Sunny Iacobellis
James Kashian and Thomas Proctor
Karen Knight
James and Elinor Langer
Sue Larsen
Laura Levy
Marcella Lindbery
Doug and Martha Lorch
Gail Lucas
David and Elise McKee
James Melillo
Anthony and Revae Moran
Michael and Christine Morfit
Carole and Robert Nicholas
Christina Omdahl
Pauline Paulin
Richard and Amanda Payatt
Priscilla Peale
Ben and Aurora Pringle
Christina Ramsey
Jill Rode
Maurizio Rossi
Roger and Angelika Rutz
Melville Sahyun
Michele Sakakibara
Jeannette Sanford
Santa Barbara Trust For Historic Preservation
Xavier Scordo
Jill and Scott Seltzer
Chuck and Missy Sheldon
Geoff Slaff
Kerrie Smith
Drs. Michael and Beverly Steinfeld
Samantha Stout
Mary Jo Swalley
Katie Szopa
Frank Tabar
Ellin Todd
John and Dorothy Warnock
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
Mort and Judy Weisman
Lita West
Dennis Whelan
Marjorie Woodruff
Charles Wylie
Dr. Paula Yurkanis Bruice
SUSTAINER
($250-$499)
Anonymous
Tim Accurso
Roger Adams
Carla Amussen
Suzanne and David Andrews
Michael Baskin
Carolyn and Cory Beckwith
Nancy and Ken Beisser
Polly and Roger Bookwalter
Gary and Karen Carlton
Agatha Carubia
Mitch Chupack and Laura Tompkins
Marianne Clark
Stephen Cloud
Mary Blackwood Collier
Edward S. De Loreto
Drs. Peter C. Ford and Mary Howe-Grant
Mary & Blas Garza
Jerry and Sandy Gothe
Pamela Gunther
Carolyn Holmquist
Gaia and Nir Kabaretti
Harry and Grace Kazali
John Lyngaas
Kathryn R. Marin
Patricia and Charles Pezzarossi
Raymond Riezman
Steven R. Siegel and Joan Tapper
Brian Stenfors
Irene and Robert Stone
Marylove Thralls and Michael Hackett
Philip Trevezas
Gary Yencich
Pearl Zalon
CONTRIBUTOR
($100-$249)
Anonymous
Catherine Albanese
David Asbell
James Benham
Jill W. Breedon
Cedric Charneau
Deborah Collins
John Douglas
Leila Drake
Nina Dunbar
Gail Elnicky
Teressa Foglia
Mary Furner
Oriana Geis-Falla and Arnold Geis
Lisa Claudette Gilinger
Barbara and Jon Greenleaf
Sherrie Grimes
Douglas Heithoff
Jessica Hetrick
Richard Hughes
Barbara Hume
Hunsaker Consulting
Jane Jacobs
Hunter Jameson
John and Joan Jamieson
Kent Jennings
Jean Keelly
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
Lynette Klawon
Annette and Alex Kowblanksy
Courtney Lees
Michael Lewellen
Sizhuang Liang
Dr. and Mrs. Fima Lifshitz
Pamela and Russ Lombardo
Nancy Ludgus
Cecily Macdougall
Robert Main
Della and Art McKinster
Lori Kraft Meschler
Frank Migliazza
Tory and Kelly Milazzo
Kerry Mistretta
William F Mooney
Rozann Newman
Diane Noel
Mary Orcutt
Lynne Ramsey
Vivian Rangel
Judith Rice
Dr. Daniel Rimkus
Robert E. Ronus
Judith and Michael
Dr. Paula Rudolph
Randy Stephens and Darrolyn Fennelly
Takeo and TsviaTabuchi
Jeanne Ullom
Peter and Betty Wenzel
Julija Zonic
FRIEND ($99-)
Chris Brock
Ernest Caldwell
Maeapple Chaney
Anne Marie Claydon
Lance Crawford
David and Ann Dwelley
Kirsten Ellis
Angela Ellis and Bob Henrikson
Darrolyn Fennelly and Randy Stephens
Paul Fitzgerald
Betty Fussell
Annette Goena
Nancy Greep
Glenn Hanson
Patricia Haro
Linda Houseman
Rita Lane
Shelah Lompa
Linda Mackinnon
Marianne McPherson
Rosemary & Nicholas Mutton
Catherine Nelson
Michael O'Connell
Amanda Ryvkin
Lisa S.
Conrad Saturnino
Alan and Laura Smith
Amie Taylor
Helen Tomkins
Jeanette Woodward
Todd Yancey
Special Thanks to Our
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Celebrating the gift of the arts
We are proud to support Opera SB and look forward to their 2025/26 season.
