Opera Santa Barbara (OSB) has appointed Grayson Allred as director of production effective in July.
The director of production is a senior executive position responsible for the planning, execution and management of all production elements for Opera Santa Barbara’s main stage season and ancillary performances.
Allred was selected through a national search that began in January. He succeeds Helena Kuukka, who has held the position since 2022.
Allred comes to Santa Barbara from Abilene, Texas, where has been the director of operations and programming at the historic Paramount Theatre for four years, following seven years as technical director.
He has leadership experience in all aspects of theatrical production, and has overseen hundreds of concerts, theater shows, film showings, and community events, OSB said.
“Grayson impressed me in every step of the interview process, from his cover letter to his two on-site visits earlier this spring,” said Kostis Protopapas, artistic and general director at OSB.
“The team and I have had extremely high expectations from this search, and everyone unanimously recognized that Grayson has the right temperament, intellect, and work ethic to fit right in and hit the ground running,” Protopapas said.
Allred attended Abilene Christian University, where he majored in biology with a minor in theatre. He earned his M.S. in biology from Angelo State University.
Allred is a veteran of the Texas Army National Guard, where he served as an intelligence analyst.
“I was drawn to Opera Santa Barbara because of its combination of artistic ambition and a clear commitment to excellence on stage,” he said. “I look forward to building on that foundation by supporting the company’s continued growth through strong production leadership, and contributing to a team that brings meaningful art and culture to the community.’
Earlier this year OSB announced Kuukka, who has served as OSB’s director of production, and resident lighting designer, will step down in order to dedicate more time to her home life in San Francisco and her work as a freelance lighting designer.
“As I step away from my position at OSB, I do so with the highest level of confidence in my successor Grayson Allred,” she said. “He has impressed us all with warm personality, insightful questions, and careful consideration of the company as a whole. He will be a huge asset to Team OSB.”
Opera Santa Barbara’s 2026-27 season will include “Rigoletto,” “The Barber of Seville,” and the California premiere of “Riders of the Purple Sage. All performances will be at the Lobero Theatre.