The Traditional Panto is always customized to the town where it is produced, so all of our Pantos will be very Santa Barbaran. Panto Productions, (a subsidiary of Grace & Competra,) is collaborating with, and has the enthusiastic support of many parts of our community. Already involved are: The State Street Ballet, Konrad Kono (Musical Director), Ted Dolas (set design) and Janet Doran-Veevers (costume design).

Norman Sosner (well known philanthropist and supporter of the arts) and Patrick Davis (Santa Barbara's Arts Commissioner) are leading advisors. The Arts Commission and The Santa Barbara Foundation have given their vote of support to the Panto project through a generous Artist in Residence grant to Karin delaPena (sponsored by the Lobero Theater).

The City of Santa Barbara has also given the Panto a generous Events and Festivals grant. And several eminent English people have given their enthusiastic 'yes,' vote to 'Jack and the Beanstalk--The Panto,' including Jane Seymour. We will include specific quotes on this web site soon that describe what Santa Barbara is in for when The Panto comes to town....!

Panto has much the same inclusive, innocent spirit as the Summer Solstice parade--and the same potential to draw tourism. We intend that Panto will become an annual Santa Barbara tradition, with the New Year's Eve/Millennium celebration as a crucial part of its debut.

To be truly effective, Panto must be professionally directed by people who have been raised with it--who have an affectionate understanding of, and experience with its peculiarities such as Karin delaPena (professional Panto actor and Director of the acclaimed Speaking of Stories) and Michael Ashton (established theater director in England and successful Panto writer and director). 'Jack and the Beanstalk' will be directed by Michael Ashton with Karin delaPena as the Project Director.

The renowned English actor, Christopher Blake will play the starring character role, and our very own Karin delaPena will play Jack. Local professionals, Stan Hoffman (Fox TV's "Critter Gitters") and Emma Jane Huerta (Upstarts!) will play the Baron and the Fairy Queen, respectively.

Karin delaPena and Geoffrey Hornby; Co-producers.

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Santa Barbara's First Annual Traditional Family Panto

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