UCSB Student Group Brings 'Footloose' Musical to Life

Shrunken Heads Production Company stages the beloved '80s musical on campus February 6-8.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:07pm

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UC Santa Barbara's student-run Shrunken Heads Production Company is bringing the musical 'Footloose' to the Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall this February. The high-energy show features infectious '80s anthems, thoughtful storytelling, and a cast of nearly 40 students. The production marks a milestone for the organization, which has grown from small showcases to large-scale musicals over the past two decades.

Why it matters

The 'Footloose' musical holds a special place in Santa Barbara's cultural history, with its iconic soundtrack by local legend Kenny Loggins. For the student-run Shrunken Heads troupe, the production represents their evolution into a prominent campus organization dedicated to cultivating a love for the performing arts.

The details

Shrunken Heads Production Company, founded in 2004, is the only student-run musical theater group at UCSB that produces full-scale productions with a live orchestra. For this year's 'Footloose' show, the group has assembled a cast of nearly 40 students and is receiving support from the UCSB Department of Music.

  • Shrunken Heads Production Company was founded in 2004.
  • The 'Footloose: The Musical' production will run from February 6-8, 2026.

The players

Shrunken Heads Production Company

A student-run musical theater troupe at UC Santa Barbara that produces full-scale productions, including this year's staging of 'Footloose: The Musical'.

Kimberlly Baldwin

The current president of Shrunken Heads Production Company.

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What they’re saying

“Shrunken Heads is undeniably the only one of its kind here at UCSB. We're the only ones producing musicals to this capacity, with a company of almost 40 cast members and a live orchestra. On top of that, we are entirely student-run. Every second put into our productions is done so by students who have nothing to gain except cultivated love and connection through the arts.”

— Kimberlly Baldwin, President, Shrunken Heads Production Company

“Our history of community and determination makes 'Footloose: The Musical' deeply symbolic of where Shrunken Heads stands today. This production embodies our core values of inclusivity, collaboration, and taking risks. It demands cohesion, movement, and collective energy from the entire cast. It is a statement of who we, as an organization, have become. We are a student-run company that is unafraid to push its limits. We improve with every passing day because we are grounded in community and fueled by the belief that our love and passion for the arts will help us grow.”

— Kimberlly Baldwin, President, Shrunken Heads Production Company

What’s next

After the opening night performance on February 6, the Shrunken Heads Production Company will host a prom-themed gala featuring music, 'Footloose'-inspired refreshments, and the opportunity for the audience to celebrate with the cast and creative team.

The takeaway

The Shrunken Heads Production Company's staging of 'Footloose: The Musical' showcases the group's evolution from small showcases to large-scale, student-run musicals that celebrate the performing arts and foster a sense of community at UC Santa Barbara.