When you see a show at The Granada Theatre, you don’t think about the careful coordination and dedication happening behind the scenes to ensure the experience is stellar. Thanks to an incredible leadership team comprised of employees and board members, The Granada is able to live its mission of enhancing the performing arts in Santa Barbara.
Leadership starts at the top with Palmer Jackson Jr., the Chairman of The Granada. Jackson Jr. had long been active with numerous arts organizations before Michael Towbes and Chairman Dan Burnham invited him to join The Granada Board in 2013. Four years later, in 2017, he became Chairman of the Board.
As chairman, Jackson Jr. is responsible for board recruitment, guiding the creative direction of The Granada, fostering collaborative partnerships, and overseeing the theater’s strategic operations. His efforts, along with his team, have resulted in upgrades to the theater-going experience, including an improved state-of-the-art sound system and ongoing upgrades to our LED lighting system.
During his long tenure with The Granada, Jackson Jr. has worked on many projects and initiatives.
“From a management perspective, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in strengthening The Granada’s operations,” said Jackson Jr. “I’m also very proud of our Centennial year, which exceeded expectations and got more people into the theater.”
Interplay of Board and Executive Team
Today, the Board of Directors is responsible for the long-term vision of The Granada, while staff is in charge of the daily operations.
“We went through significant challenges in the past, and for a time the Board was involved in the day-to-day activities of the theater,” explained Jackson Jr.. “But now everything settled into a good rhythm, The Board is back to its role of strategic planning and cultivating the future vision for The Granada.”
A big part of the theater’s vision was evident during the Centennial year programming. The Granada expanded the definition of the performing arts. No longer is the theater only for classical music, opera, and ballet; it now encompasses Broadway shows, movies, comedians, and rock bands.
Jackson Jr. Takes the Stage
Jackson Jr. and his band, The Doublewide Kings, are an example of the new generation of programming at The Granada.
Last year, the band took the stage with the Santa Barbara Symphony to perform Moondance, a wildly popular show honoring Van Morisson. The performance was such a success that the Doublewide Kings are back again on November 8 at The Granada, joining forces with the Santa Barbara Symphony and Music and Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti to perform The Psychedelic Symphony.
“This time we’re focusing on music from the 1960s and 70s,” said Jackson Jr. “In the past, we’ve covered a single artist or group, but this time we wanted to try something different and focus on some of our favorite songs.”
This approach has allowed the band and the Symphony to select songs that not only work beautifully in an orchestral setting but also carry a nostalgic element.
For tickets: https://ticketing.granadasb.org/21028
A Legacy Continues
Jackson Jr.’s commitment to The Granada extends far beyond his duties as chairman. His passion for the theater runs deep, rooted in decades of family history with the venue. This personal connection helps shape his leadership style and vision for the theater’s future, creating a unique blend of institutional knowledge and fresh perspective. As the fifth generation of his family to serve on The Granada Board, Jackson Jr. continues to build on his family’s deep historical legacy with the theater.