100 Years of Memories Captured
Remember your old high school yearbook? The Granada Theatre put a fresh spin on that idea by creating a digital yearbook to commemorate all the excitement and events of last year’s centennial celebrations.
“The idea for the Centennial Yearbook came out of our Memories Day event,” said Ashley Dawson, Director of Marketing and Database Services. “So many patrons shared their favorite Granada moments with our staff about first shows, family traditions, and unforgettable performances. Hearing those personal memories made us realize we had an opportunity to turn this into something bigger: a community collaboration that reflects the history of The Granada through the eyes of the people who’ve experienced it.”
Digital Format
Thanks to being digital, The Granada was able to make the yearbook a truly comprehensive ode to the historic theater’s storied history.
“We realized just how much content we captured during our centennial year,” said Dawson. “Between the photos and video footage from all of our events, we had the foundation for something special. That’s when the idea of the digital yearbook came together, as a way to document, share, and continue the celebration in a lasting and meaningful way.”
The yearbook is designed to be simple and intuitive, with a clear landing page and separate sections for every category. The visuals are bold, and the language is straightforward making it easy to navigate, even for non-techies. There are also image descriptions and captions, so it’s as inclusive as possible.
The yearbook project was six months in the making, with a core team of six people working directly on its creation. While it’s still in the final stages of development, it will soon be unveiled to the public, giving everyone a chance to explore and relive the magic of the centennial year.
“Many people have contributed to the project in meaningful ways, from staff and volunteers to community partners and patrons who shared their memories and made our centennial year a success,” said Dawson. “It’s been a true collective effort, and one that reflects the community spirit behind The Granada’s centennial year.”
Granada Memories
Perhaps the heart of The Granada Digital Yearbook is the section on Granada Memories. The theater invited the community to come and share their personal experiences of The Granada. The stories included everything from a first date to an air raid!
According to Dawson, her favorite shared memory was actually from The Granada’s Chrisman Executive Director and President, Caren Rager.
“Caren recalled the day the wall separating the balcony from the hall was broken through during the restoration. Geoff Rutkowski, who was the principal cellist of the Santa Barbara Symphony at the time, was on stage in the spotlight, playing his cello, a sight from the balcony that hadn’t been possible before the restoration,” said Dawson. “It was a powerful, symbolic moment of music echoing through a space that was coming back to life. To me, it set the tone for what The Granada represents: restoration, artistry, and a deep emotional connection through performance.”
More Yearbook Chapters
In addition to the heartfelt shared memories, the yearbook has sections for its award-winning Centennial documentary film, The Centennial Festival Weekend, The Centennial On Stage events, Santa Barbara Home Movies series, and the Centennial Legends gala.
Each part of the yearbook is rich with photos and videos that capture the excitement and energy of The Granada’s centennial year.
“I hope that the yearbook highlights The Granada’s versatility and the rich history it holds within Santa Barbara’s arts and culture community,” said Dawson. “It’s not just the tallest building in town or the home of classical arts, it’s a place where families can experience the arts together, where students take their first field trip to the theater, and where couples come for a concert on date night. I want people to see how adaptable the space is, and also to feel the passion and dedication that surrounds it from our team, the performers, and especially the community. The yearbook is a reflection of all of that.”