Quick Take

Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud captured the cast of Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ production as the actors prepared for opening night.

Earlier this month, Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud had the chance to slip behind the scenes and witness what goes into staging a professional Shakespeare production. Santa Cruz Shakespeare was gearing up for the preview performance of its whimsical take on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

With the invitation of the theater company’s Artistic Director Charles Pasternak, Painchaud was given backstage access, free to be a fly on the wall and document the quiet, powerful moments before the curtain rose. He captured actors as they transformed into the characters — applying makeup, adjusting costumes, styling their hair, and grounding themselves mentally and physically before stepping into the spotlight.

He captured the laughter, the nerves, the focus, the electric anticipation and just how much heart the performers poured into the work before ever uttering a word on stage. The show continues through Aug. 31 at The Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park.

Scroll through the photos to see the story behind the spotlight.

A peak behind the scenes of Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
A peak behind the scenes of Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Charles Pasternak showcases the new equipment storage room inside the recently constructed building at the Audrey Stanley Grove.
The Audrey Stanley Grove sign. Santa Cruz Shakespeare has been performing at the Audrey Stanley Grove in Upper DeLaveaga Park since 2016, when the company moved from its former campus venue and established this new outdoor home
The racks of lights that Shakespeare Santa Cruz bought from California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes) after their closure in 2024.
One of the many wigs featured in Shakespeare Santa Cruz's productions.
Actors Justin Joung and Alex Cook have their makeup applied before the start of Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Actors Justin Joung and Alex Cook have their makeup applied before the start of Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Actress Paige Lindsey White gets her microphone in place on her head.
Actress Paige Lindsey White gets her microphone in place on her head. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Actor Alex Cook helping Justin Joung with his makeup.
Actor Alex Cook helping Justin Joung with his makeup. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Taping the mic cord to an actors back.
Allie Pratt (Hermia, top) and Melissa WolfKlain (Starveling, bottom) get ready backstage before Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Actors Elliot Sagay (front), as Demetrius, and Corey Jones (back), as Theseus, look sharp as they prepare to take the stage.
Actors Alex Cook and Justin Joung looking fabulous before they take the stake at The Audrey Stanley Grove. Sagay, who is playing Demetrius and Jones, who is playing Theseus, are just two of the many actors who are performing in Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Actress Shelby Smith loosens up before showtime with a series of energetic leaps.
Joseph Pratt Lukefahr, the 11-year-old Santa Cruz resident cast as the Changeling Child in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, flashes a smile backstage.
Actress Lily Kops, who plays Helena, adjusts her headband before stepping on stage for Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Actress Lily Kops, who plays Helena, adjusts her headband before stepping on stage for Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Elliot Sagay (Demetrius, left), Allie Pratt (Hermia, center), and Daniel Harray (Egeus, right) wait in anticipation to take the stage at the Audrey Stanley Grove.
Elliot Sagay (Demetrius, left), Allie Pratt (Hermia, center), and Daniel Harray (Egeus, right) wait in anticipation to take the stage at the Audrey Stanley Grove. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Sound board operator Alex Hsiung checks audio levels during a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Sound board operator Alex Hsiung checks audio levels during a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Helena, played by Lily Kops, performs on stage at Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park.
Helena, played by Lily Kops, performs on stage at Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Justin Joung portrays Puck in Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Justin Joung portrays Puck in Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s 2025 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, staged under the open sky in the Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park, running from July 13 to August 3.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s 2025 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, staged under the open sky in the Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park, running from July 13 to Aug. 31. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Kevin Painchaud is an international award-winning photojournalist. He has shot for various publications for the past 30 years, appearing on sites nationwide, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, MSNBC, The...