#GivingTuesday Alhecama Theatre
Celebrate #GivingTuesday and support the restoration of the historic Alhecama Theatre! Make your tax-deductible gift and become a part of the legacy of this historic theatre.
We rely on you to continue to reach toward our vision to bring alive the history of Santa Barbara for present and future generations. With your help, the historic Alhecama Theatre will be completely restored and upgraded to provide a new venue for community events. Help us reach our $50,000 goal for community donations -- make your tax-deductible gift today!
About the Alhecama Theatre
SBTHP is proud to restore this special facility which has had a continuous community use since its construction as the Pueblo Theatre in 1925. Built for the Santa Barbara School of the Arts, the theatre was originally used for drama, music, and dance classes. Alice Schott purchased the theatre in 1939 when the school struggled due to the Great Depression. She renamed it the Alhecama after her daughters ALice, HElen, CAtherine, and MAry Lou. Schott deeded the school property to the City of Santa Barbara School District in 1945 and it was used jointly by the Adult Education program and Santa Barbara Junior College, later renamed Santa Barbara City College, for many years. It was purchased by the State of California in 1982 to become part of El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park.
The Restoration Project
When longtime tenant the Ensemble Theatre Company moved to the remodeled Victoria Theatre in 2013, SBTHP prioritized restoring the building to its original multi-purpose function and making the venue available to community organizations for lectures, films, conferences, receptions, performances, and exhibits.
Generous grants from several community foundations supported the majority of the restoration work, including a new roof, restoration of the original auditorium floor, a new ADA restroom, accessible ramp, brick entrance patio, seismic retrofit, and HVAC system.
Your generous donation will complete the restoration of this historic theatre to its original glory and provide an appealing and much-needed community venue for performances and celebrations that captures the essence of Santa Barbara’s special character.
The restoration of the Alhecama Theatre is a legacy you will be proud to be a part of. Thank you for your participation in this shared effort.
If you prefer, you may use our printable form and fax or mail it to SBTHP. Please add a note that your gift should be designated to the Alhecama Theatre.
 Restored AuditoriumAn interior view of the auditorium and Dickenson mural after the floors were restored. |  InteriorA crew worked to restore the hardwood floors to their original appearance. |
|---|---|
 Restored AuditoriumAn interior view of the Alhecama stage after the floors were restored. |  Original FloorplanFloorplan for the original Pueblo Theatre, constructed in 1925. Built for the Santa Barbara School of the Arts, the theatre was originally used for drama, music, and dance classes. Alice Schott purchased the theatre in 1939 when the school struggled due to the Great Depression. She renamed it the Alhecama after her daughters ALice, HElen, CAtherine, and MAry Lou. |
 Mural by Ross DickensonThis mural in the back of the theatre, painted by American artist Ross Dickenson, is now more visible and will be restored. |  Community VenueThe theatre is being restored to its original multi-purpose function and is available to community organizations for lectures, films, conferences, receptions, performances, and exhibits. |
 A Special Gathering PlaceThe Alhecama Theatre was the site of the 2016 Presidio Descendants Luncheon. Once the restoration is complete, the theatre will be the location for a wide variety of community events in the future. Photo by Suzi Calderon Bellman. |  Alhecama TheatreRestored exterior of Alhecama Theatre. |
About #GivingTuesday
Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Last year, more than 45,000 organizations in 71 countries came together to celebrate #GivingTuesday. Since its founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater donations, volunteer hours, and activities that bring about real change in communities.
We invite you to join the movement and to help get out and give today.
Inspire your friends and help us spread the word by posting about #GivingTuesday on social media and include the link to sbthp.org/giving-tuesday. Follow us on Facebook to find out more about this special opportunity to support the restoration of one of Santa Barbara's oldest theatres.
To learn more about the #GivingTuesday movement, please visit givingtuesday.org.