Quick Take:

Go behind the scenes with Santa Cruz Shakespeare as actors, directors and crew bring "Much Ado About Nothing" to life.

Before the lights come up and the audience takes their seats, the magic of “Much Ado About Nothing” begins behind the curtain. In rehearsal rooms, dressing areas and backstage corners, actors run lines, costumes are refined, and directors, designers and crew work together to shape every moment of the production.

Allie Pratt applies her makeup before transforming into the character "Hero" for Santa Cruz Shakespeares rendition of Much Ado About Nothing.
Allie Pratt applies her makeup before transforming into the character “Hero” for Santa Cruz Shakespeares rendition of Much Ado About Nothing. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Dresser, Sierra Wypych, steams gowns in the dressing rooms.
Dresser, Sierra Wypych, steams gowns in the dressing rooms. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Tracy Martin does finishing touches to a wig.
Tracy Martin does finishing touches to a wig. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Lookout takes viewers behind the scenes, capturing the focus, creativity and camaraderie required to transform months of preparation into the music, laughter and emotion that unfold on stage.

Izzy Pedago (left) and Allie Pratt (right) prepare before the show.
Izzy Pedago (left) and Allie Pratt (right) prepare before the show. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A hair and wig call sheet is taped outside the wig and makeup room, where crew member Tracy Martin works her magic preparing actors for the stage.
A hair and wig call sheet is taped outside the wig and makeup room, where crew member Tracy Martin works her magic preparing actors for the stage. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

For Artistic Director Charles Pasternak, who is entering his fourth season leading Santa Cruz Shakespeare, this year’s festival represents both growth and achievement. Under his direction, the company continues to expand its artistic reach, adding a second fall production and preparing to present its first work by renowned American playwright August Wilson.

Creative Director, director and actor Charles Pasternak is all smiles backstage during Santa Cruz Shakespeare's production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Creative Director, director and actor Charles Pasternak is all smiles backstage during Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of Much Ado About Nothing. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Actor Jono Eiland takes a deep breath before leaving the dressing room.
Actor Jono Eiland takes a deep breath before leaving the dressing room. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Audio intern Oliver Minor, secures the microphone on actor Thomas Bigley (playing the character Balthasar).
    Audio intern Oliver Minor, secures the microphone on actor Thomas Bigley (playing the character Balthasar). Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Oliver Minor tapes the microphone wire to the back of actress Lily Cline.
    Oliver Minor tapes the microphone wire to the back of actress Lily Cline. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Actress Patty Gallagher, who plays the character Dogberry, stands outside the dressing rooms before showtime.
Actress Patty Gallagher, who plays the character Dogberry, stands outside the dressing rooms before showtime. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Pasternak sees “Much Ado About Nothing” as a celebration of music, love and humor while staying true to Shakespeare’s original text.

Actor William Block stretches his legs in the dressing room before the performance of Much Ado About Nothing.
Actor William Block stretches his legs in the dressing room before the performance of Much Ado About Nothing. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • "Claudio" (played by Will Block) practices a dance with "Hero" (played by Allie Pratt) moments before showtime.
    “Claudio” (played by Will Block) practices a dance with “Hero” (played by Allie Pratt) moments before showtime. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Actress Allie Pratt in mid spin with the actor Will Block.
    Actress Allie Pratt in mid spin with the actor Will Block. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
The audience gathers beneath the trees at the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruz, awaiting the start of Santa Cruz Shakespeare's production of Much Ado About Nothing.
The audience gathers beneath the trees at the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruz, awaiting the start of Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of Much Ado About Nothing. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Actors Paige Lindsey White, Charles Pasternak, William Block and Thomas Bigley talk things over before their performance of Much Ado About Nothing.
Actors Paige Lindsey White, Charles Pasternak, William Block and Thomas Bigley talk things over before their performance of Much Ado About Nothing. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Assistant Stage Manager Grace Caraway gets into position before the curtain rises for Santa Cruz Shakespeare's production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Assistant Stage Manager Grace Caraway gets into position before the curtain rises for Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of Much Ado About Nothing. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Artistic Director as well as the Director for the play Much Ado About Nothing, Charles Pasternak, address the crowd before the show goes on.
Artistic Director as well as the Director for the play Much Ado About Nothing, Charles Pasternak, address the crowd before the show goes on. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
One of the grand dance numbers in Santa Cruz Shakespeare's production of Much Ado About Nothing.
One of the grand dance numbers in Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Stage Manager Jamie Kranz oversees the performance from the control booth.
Stage Manager Jamie Kranz oversees the performance from the control booth. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Actress Allie Pratt, portraying Hero, looks on during the opening scene of Santa Cruz Shakespeare's production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Actress Allie Pratt, portraying Hero, looks on during the opening scene of Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of Much Ado About Nothing. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Stage Manager Jamie Kranz looks over to lighting board operator Luca Matthies during the performance.
Stage Manager Jamie Kranz looks over to lighting board operator Luca Matthies during the performance. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

“We’re always trying to raise the artistic bar here,” he said. “I think these shows are some of the finest shows we have ever produced.”

Actress Izzy Pedigo, who plays Margaret, throws a towel over her shoulder before taking the stage.
Actress Izzy Pedigo, who plays Margaret, throws a towel over her shoulder before taking the stage. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Seen from backstage, dramatic lighting highlights the emotion and intensity of actor Chris Cherin's performance.
Seen from backstage, dramatic lighting highlights the emotion and intensity of actor Chris Cherin’s performance. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
The curtain rises on Santa Cruz Shakespeare's production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruz.
The curtain rises on Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

For Shakespeare Santa Cruz performance and ticket information, go to https://santacruzshakespeare.org/tickets/

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...