November 8 at the New Vic Theatre
Photo Exhibit and Events at Art & Soul Gallery: November 4 – 20
In keeping with our tradition for this annual event, we turn to the arts for telling compelling stories, connecting the community to our work, and bringing dignity, humanity and hope to the lives of those we serve. This year we are highlighting the significant need for affordable and accessible mental health services and are thrilled to present a combination of theatrical and photographic experiences.
On November 8, at the New Vic Theatre, we will present the musical The Willard Suitcases by composer Julianne Wick Davis, directed by our longtime collaborator Jenny Sullivan. This engaging musical performance will be presented in combination with a Willard Suitcases photo exhibit and talk by Jon Crispin at Art & Soul Gallery in Santa Barbara. Additional special events will be held at the gallery.
About the Show
The Willard Suitcases musical and the photo exhibit feature the discovery, in 1995, of over 400 suitcases in the attic of The Willard Psychiatric Center in upstate New York, when the institution was being closed after 100 years. The stories of the residents – and the photos of the contents of their suitcases that were left behind – are emotionally powerful, funny, strange, and tragic and have a significant resonance in today’s world.
“In 1995, a handful of forgotten suitcases were discovered in the recently closed Willard Psychiatric Center in upstate New York, untouched since their owners checked in many years before. Inspired by the photographs of these bags taken by Jon Crispin, the Willard Suitcases is a musical that imagines the lives that packed these bags, some funny, some strange, some tragic, and all very, very human.”
– Excerpt from the American Shakespeare Center
“The most intriguing musical to have its world premiere in the greater Washington region in some time.”
– Washington Post, 2019
2026 Sponsorship Opportunities
How to Become a Sponsor
To reserve your sponsorship, please select your sponsorship level from the menu above and click Add to Cart. Or mail the sponsorship form. Our address is: 530 E. Montecito Street Suite 101 Santa Barbara, CA. 93103.
Or contact us at development@sbnbcc.org or call (805) 963-777 x122 for more information, including payment options (check, donor-advised funds, credit card, etc). Thank you for your generous support as we work together to build a more compassionate and resilient community!
Sponsorship Levels and Benefits
Producer (Title) Sponsor $25,000
- 8 tickets with premier seating to the Performance and brunch reception on November 8
- 8 tickets to Jon Crispin photo reception, talk, and events at the Art & Soul Gallery
- Recognition and logo or name at event and printed in promotional materials, on agency website and social media and publicity postings
- Premium placement of full-page advertisement in the printed program
- 4 seats to each Educational Luncheon
Ingenue Sponsor $10,000
- 4 tickets with premier seating to the Performance and brunch reception on November 8
- 4 tickets to Jon Crispin photo reception, talk, and events at the Art & Soul Gallery
- Recognition and logo or name at event and printed in promotional materials, on agency website and social media and publicity postings
- Premium placement of half-page advertisement in the printed program
- 2 seats to each Educational Luncheon
Understudy Sponsor $5,000
- 2 tickets with premier seating to the Performance and brunch reception on November 8
- 2 tickets to Jon Crispin photo reception, talk, and events at the Art & Soul Gallery
- Recognition and logo or name printed in promotional materials, on agency website and social media and publicity postings
- Premium placement of quarter-page advertisement in the printed program
- 2 seats to each Educational Luncheon
Dramatist Sponsor $2,500
- 2 tickets with premier seating to the Performance and reception on November 8
- 2 tickets to Jon Crispin photo reception, talk, and events at the Art & Soul Gallery
- Recognition and logo or name printed in promotional materials, on agency website and social media and publicity postings
Prompter Contributor $1,000
- 2 tickets with premier seating to the Performance and reception on November 8
- Recognition and logo or name printed in promotional materials, on agency website and social media and publicity postings
- 2 tickets to a Benefit event at the Art & Soul Gallery
Usher Contributor $500
- 2 tickets with premier seating to the Performance and reception on November 8
- Recognition and logo or name printed in promotional materials, on agency website, and social media channels
For questions about Sponsorship contact (805) 682-4444 ext. 122 or development@sbnbcc.org
2025 Sponsors
Ingenue Sponsor
- Julianna Dain
- Belle Hahn
- Eva & Yoel Haller
Understudy Sponsor
- Mindpath Health
- Mowrer Homeless Justice Fund
- Hon. Susan Rose
- Zegar Family Foundation
Dramatist Sponsor
- Glenn & Amy Bacheller
- Mary Becker
- Linda Burrows
- Valarie & Evan Gardner
- Jackie and Paul Kurta
- Charles and Eileen Read
Prompter Contributor
- Beds 4 U
- Community West Bank
- Cottage Health
- Montecito Bank & Trust
- Jason & Kaci Dominguez
- Benjamin Feld & Rhonda Henderson
- Mary Howe-Grant
- Rick Oshay & Teresa Kuskey/The Oshay Family Foundation
- Diane Pannkuk
- Sandy Schoolfield & Jon Kechejian
- Mahil Senathirajah
- Ronnie Shahbazian
- Randy Sunday
- Anne Towbes
- Willfong-Singh Family
Usher Contributor
- American Riviera Bank
- Movegreen
- Santa Barbara Venture Partners
- SurfaceFX
- Deirdre Hade & Will Arntz
- Suzanne Grimmesey
- Julie LeVay
- Robin Rickershauser
- Sheila M Stone
- Scott Sanford
In Kind Sponsor
- Adam Peot Guitar
- Arnoldi’s Cafe
- Bill’s Copy Shop
- Bouchon
- Brander Winery
- Brophy Bros.
- Cheshire Cat Inn & Cottages
- Donna & Patrick Will
- EdHat
- J. Le May Studios
- La Lieff Wines
- La Sumida Nursery
- Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards
- Margerum Wine Co.
- Montecito Journal
- Sarita Relis Photography
- Santa Barbara Independent
- Stolpman Vineyards
- Summerland Quartet
- Tony Ybarra Music
Jenny Sullivan
Jenny Sullivan is an award-winning theatre and film director, actor, writer and producer. Favorite directing gigs at: The Wallis Annenberg Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, Royal Manitoba Theatre, The Acorn Off-Broadway, Long Wharf, Williamstown, Laguna Playhouse, The Lobero, Center Rep, Rubicon and Ensemble Theatre of SB.
Jenny is most proud of the premiere of her play J for J starring opposite Jeff Kober and the late great John Ritter. Jenny’s recent work includes directing the world premiere of Tom Dugan’s Jackie Unveiled (with Saffron Burrows) at the Wallis Annenberg in Beverly Hills, The Rubicon premiere of Jane Anderson’s The Baby Dance: Mixed and the Legend of Georgia McBride for Ensemble Theatre Company of SB. Previously, she directed the four-month Off-Broadway run of Tom Dugan’s Wiesenthal.
She has had a long connection with Santa Barbara having lived here for 30 years. This includes directing numerous productions for Ensemble Theatre Company, The Lobero Theatre, and Access Theatre. Jenny was a founding member of Santa Barbara’s “The Mime Caravan,” which produced theatre and also created the annual Summer Solstice Celebration in the mid-70s. Film credits: Access All Areas and The Next Best Thing (in which she had the good fortune to direct her father Barry).
Jon Crispin
