Coming up April 1st at 9:30am - Casey Reitz, President and CEO Segerstrom Center for the Arts talks about Segerstrom Center for the Arts Celebrating 40 years of the arts. A new residency. A new initiative. A sustained commitment to arts for all.

Media Alert for Monday, March 30 at 4:30pm

Segerstrom Center for the Arts | Samueli Theatre

Arturo O’Farrill multi-GRAMMY‑ Award® Winner

Named Inaugural Artist in Residence

Performance by O’Farrill, plus Announcement of

Expanded Commitment to Hispanic and Latino Arts and Culture

Casey Reitz, President and CEO of Segerstrom Center for the Arts shares:

 “As we celebrate our 40th anniversary and honor the extraordinary legacy built by Henry Segerstrom, we are equally focused on the future,

embracing bold artistic voices and expanding the ways we engage

the diverse communities that call Orange County home.

Initiatives like ¡VIVA! The Spenuzza Series, made possible

through the generous support of the Spenuzza Family,

help us bring a wide range of Hispanic and Latino artists

and traditions to our stages and classrooms.”

A new residency. A new initiative. A sustained commitment to arts for all.

WHAT: Segerstrom Center for the Arts Celebrating 40 years of the arts

Multi-GRAMMY‑ Award® Winner Arturo O’Farrill Named Inaugural Artist in Residence

Plus Expanded Commitment to Hispanic and Latino Arts and Culture for 2026-2027 season

The Center unveils its Inaugural Artist in Residence and the new ¡VIVA! The Spenuzza Series --

followed by an intimate performance from O’Farrill, Q&A, and reception.


The announcement is part of a broader cultural initiative at the Center,
with programming across music, dance, theater and education that
launches 40th anniversary season.


WHERE: Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa


ABOUT: The ¡VIVA! The Spenuzza Series celebrating 257 Years of California’s Hispanic Heritage, builds on the Center’s longstanding relationships with artists and communities throughout Southern California. This brings together internationally acclaimed artists, community collaborations, student programs, and cross‑-genre‑ performances designed to engage audiences of all ages while highlighting the many artistic traditions that shape Hispanic and Latino cultural expression. Together, these programs form a growing platform for Hispanic and Latino artistic voices at the Center.

Widely recognized as one of the most influential voices in Afro Latin jazz today composer, pianist, and bandleader Arturo O’Farrill’s work bridges classical composition, jazz improvisation, and Afro Cuban and pan Latin‑ musical traditions, embodying the spirit of innovation and cultural dialogue at the heart of the Center’s expanded programming.

O’Farrill’s residency will bring dynamic programming to multiple venues across the Segerstrom Center campus throughout the 2026–27 season. Performances, new commissions, youth and family programming, master classes, and community centered‑ events will create opportunities for audiences to experience the evolving landscape of Latin music while fostering deeper connections between artists and the community.