LAUNCH PAD 2026 Summer Reading Series
**Events may have been canceled or postponed. Please contact the venue to confirm the event.
Date & Time
Thu, Aug 27 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thu, Aug 27 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Address (map)
33 W. Victoria Street Santa Barbara, CA
Venue (website)
Ensemble Theatre Company at The New Vic
Long before the lights go up on opening night, new plays are tested in rooms filled with actors, directors, playwrights, and audiences excited to experience a story while it’s still taking shape.
On Thursday, August 27, LAUNCH PAD invites the Santa Barbara community to be part of that process during its 2026 Summer Reading Series, featuring new works by playwrights Julia Izumi and Megan Tabaque. This year’s free public event will be presented in partnership with Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) at The New Vic Theatre, giving audiences a rare opportunity to experience two new plays before they receive full productions.
4:00 p.m.
The Banana Factory
Written by Julia Izumi
Directed by Kate Bergstrom
“The Banana Factory” investigates activism and questions how we protect children in this current world where risks must be taken to make change.
8:00 p.m.
The Rink at the End of the World
Written by Megan Tabaque
Directed by Risa Brainin
When an entire country club of athletes get taken out by a rogue bout of measles, a motley crew of mall-rink figure skaters find themselves on a flight to Croatia to compete in the World Synchronized Figure Skating Championships as first-alternates.
Following each reading, audiences are invited to stay for a conversation with the playwrights, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative process of developing a new play.
Admission is free, though reservations are encouraged.
