Karin delaPena Principal, Grace & Competra

Karin delaPena has enjoyed an international career in the performing arts, with numerous credits in films, television and theatre. Chosen as Artist-in-Residence by the Lobero Theater Foundation, she conceived and developed the idea for a professional, annual Panto. She founded Grace & Competra and Panto Productions, now in partnership with Geoff Hornby.
Their first production was Jack and the Beanstalk-The Panto, which was enthusiastically received at the Lobero in December of 1999. On short notice, when the actress cast as Jack was unable to fulfill her contract, Karin stepped into the title role. Goldilocks, Three Bears...and Then Some! the 2000 Panto, proved equally popular with audiences and critics alike. This year, Karin will again appear as Puss in the upcoming Puss In Boots--The Panto. Karin is known in and out of Santa Barbara for her work as Artistic Director of Speaking of Stories, for which she garnered an Independent Theater Award. She has won awards and critical acclaim in her work as a professional actress, and for her work as a published fiction and non-fiction writer. Karin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and combines all these skills in her current work with Speaking of Stories and Panto Productions, (particularly with her emphasis on outreach.) She serves on the Santa Barbara Arts Advisory Board and has been a recipient of a prestigious California Arts Council Artist-in-Residence grant.

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