The Barnum Hall Theatre was built in 1938 by the Federal Works Project Administration (WPA) and also served as the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium when it was first built. It was designed to be a cultural center to the Santa Monica community, hosting concerts, plays, musicals, even opera, ballet and guest solo artists. For many years it did just that, enhancing Santa Monica's reputation as a fine arts community.

Barnum Hall was designed by the architectural firm of Marsh, Smith & Powell. Norman Marsh is best known for designing the many Sculptures, Plaques, Reliefs, Murals, and Fountains at USC during the mid 1970's, several buildings on the UCLA campus in the mid 1950's and the founding buildings in Venice, California in 1904.

One of Barnum Hall's designers, Henry Alfred Buxton also worked on the design of (at the time) the Grauman's Chinese Theatre, now Mann's Chinese Theatre. Barnum Hall's design went way beyond those of a traditional high school theatre. Eminent Santa Monica artist, Stanton MacDonald-Wright directed leading WPA artisans to create such works as the Viking mural on the fire curtain and the mosaic in the lobby. Additionally on the front façade of the hall is a concrete bas-relief of a comedy-tragedy mask and musical instruments portrayed in the art deco style that was preeminent for many public buildings in the 1930's.

As a fine example of Streamline-Art Deco design, the structure has aesthetic value that contributes to the overall high school campus, anchoring the school with a historic reference to its earlier stages of development. The primary (east) elevation including the multi-door theatre entrance and a large multi-paned glazed grid has special artistic value due to an Art Deco motif that is incorporated into the concrete bas-relief centrally located over the large grid window. Emphasizing the geometric form, the bas-relief depicts the Greek tragedy and comedy masks and stylized musical instruments. Furthermore, interior public areas of the building contain two pieces of artwork, a fire curtain mural and a large mosaic piece, that are aesthetically and artistically significant. The fire curtain mural is entitled "Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla." The mosaic piece is called "Landing of the Vikings in Vinland." Both pieces are the work of internationally recognized artist Stanton MacDonald-Wright and were funded and completed as part of the WPA relief program.

Santa Monica excitedly embraced the building by funding two separate bond issues to complete the theatre.

Currently, Barnum Hall is under consideration by the Landmark Committee to be designated a historic landmark. If such a consideration is deemed, the hall will be eligible to receive subsequent funds from groups like The Getty Trust to further restore items such as the 1920 Wulitzer pipe organ and the historic fire curtain.

The Barnum Hall Theatre is fully accessible with space considerations for wheelchairs at selected aisle locations throughout the theatre on the orchestra level. Wheelchair-accessible bathrooms are located just inside the entrance of the theatre (house staff will direct you). Please advise us in advance if you have special considerations we should know about. You may reach us at 310-458-5939.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

• There is no elevator to the mezzanine level in the Barnum Hall Theatre.
• All performances are on the SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL campus.
• As a courtesy to other patrons, children under the age of three will not be admitted.
• The performers strictly request that the use of flash photography be prohibited after the show has commenced. Flashes are extremely distracting to the performers and affect their performance. Please be considerate.
• Please turn OFF or SILENCE all pagers and mobile phones. Many of these devices interfere with our sound system.
• Please be extra considerate to other patrons and do not unwrap any candy or throat lozenge after the show has commenced. If you really cant wait, be mindful and open them up during the thunderous applause you give our performers.