By Isabella Leonard
The Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall, at the center of UC Santa Barbara’s Music Department, has a long and distinguished history that goes back more than half a century – and it had begun to show its age.
But now, Richard Croy, the concert hall’s new production and events manager, is restoring honor to the venue by upgrading its physical plant and stepping up the events held there.
The UCSB Orchestra Fall Concert under the baton of music director Maxim Kuzin, at The Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall, December 4th, 2023
Built in 1969, the multi-use theater, recital, and lecture hall was originally planned as a fully-functioning opera house. In February of that year, it was named for the famous German soprano, Lotte Lehmann, who resided in Santa Barbara. But in recent years the venue has doubled as a lecture hall, and it’s lack of use has worn down the facility, Croy says.
Croy was hired by UC Santa Barbara in 2022, and since then he has been able to restore lighting, bring function back to the building’s workshop, and heighten audio and recording capabilities. Each year, he says, he will focus on a new project. Last Spring, Croy helped bring to life the UCSB opera ‘Burning to Sing’ and he hopes to produce even larger shows in the future. Right now, he is restoring the orchestra pit.
Before landing at UCSB, Croy had a long career touring with theatrical productions across the United States and on London’s West End as a tour manager, production manager, lead fabricator, and rigger. Immediately prior to joining UCSB, he spent a few years as the production manager at The New Vic Theatre in Santa Barbara.
He recently sat down for an interview to discuss his career, what led him to UCSB, and his goal to bring Lotte Lehmann and its events to their full potential.
Q: Can you briefly describe your career journey in theater and production?
Richard Croy, UCSB’s Production and Events Manager, in the wings of the Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall.
A: I received a B.A. in Acting from the University of Tennessee, specializing in writing and directing. I have lived in New York, London, Tennessee, New Orleans, Louisiana, and in California three different times. I’ve jumped between technical director jobs, then I had a production manager job at The New Vic in Santa Barbara for a few years before coming here to the Music Department.
Q: What has been your favorite part of working at UC Santa Barbara?
A: Fixing Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall. I enjoy running the events here, but revitalizing the theater itself has been the most fun. Making the rigging and lighting work again, making the shop a shop again, and digging into the audio and recording capabilities has been a blast.
Q: Can you explain a little of the history of the space and what it can do?
A: This place used to do big operas. But at a certain point, the university needed it to serve as a lecture hall. Slowly but surely, the curtains got moved less, the stage got painted less, the lighting got used less, until everything went stagnant. When I got here, we went through loads of repairs to fix burnt electrical systems and get the lighting system to where it is now. And there is still more to do.
Q: What are your hopes for this space?
A: I would like to see us do full-scale shows again. We have full-scale symphony shows, but this theater was designed for that, and more.
We are going to try to integrate network audio and video throughout the building. We are aiming towards getting a grant to replace the lights in the theater: they are using incandescent 575 watt lamps for LED lights, and they should be color changing lights, which are common in most shows.
Q: This is a huge job. What keeps you inspired to continue to do this work?
Various screens controlling the technical production at the Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall.
A: The work is what makes the job fun for me. I see a big theater like the Lotte Lehmann and all I want to do is put on a great show. I can make the symphonies, wind ensemble, and jazz shows better. I want to get us back to a little more “pomp and circumstance.”
That is part of the reason I introduced receptions after the show. After a performance, you step outside and you can enjoy yourself while talking to the director of the show. It allows students to network with professors and performers. Ten minutes of face-to-face, discussing what they thought, helps them care for just a little bit longer.
Q: Are there any specific shows or events you’d like to put on in the future?
A: I am working with a couple of students from the Shrunken Heads Production Company here on campus to see if I can get a show produced in the spring. That would be exciting.
All in all, I want to elevate this department. I want to make its facility better, and add to what it can do. For the symphonies and concerts, I want to increase our ability to stream, I want the audio to sound better online. I can improve lighting and slowly replace equipment. On nights where the theater is not in use, I want to throw in a play, or do a rock concert.
Isabella Leonard is a fourth-year Film and Media Major with minors in both English and Professional Writing in the Journalism track. She conducted this interview for her Digital Journalism course.