Founded in 2014 as a newly independent theatre company, SCS continues a 40-year tradition of staging bold productions of the plays of Shakespeare and other great playwrights. Throughout our history, hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, have been enthralled, engaged, and energized by what we bring to the community.
Inspired by Shakespeare, we create and strengthen our community by bringing audiences and theatre artists together to celebrate stories about our collective humanity. Matching a fearless aesthetic with transparent financial responsibility, SCS is passionate about theatre that is inclusive, inquisitive, and that engages with the contemporary moment.
Repertory: In a true repertory company, actors play parts in most (or all) of the productions offered in any given season. Once each of the shows opens, it enters a schedule of rotating performances, so productions of multiple plays can be seen in a single week.
Professional: SCS believes in equitable wages and therefore hires members of entertainment trade unions providing salaries, pension, and health benefits for their members. For admittance into these unions, these artists must be highly regarded in their respective fields, and maintain their status by garnering regular works with other professional theatre companies. Non-union employees receive industry standard living-wage compensation for their work.
Educational: SCS engages with students and community members through many education programs, including professional internships, student matinees, free youth tickets, educational newsletters, lesson plans for teachers, symposiums, and in-school visits.
Our Staff
Larry Mabrey
Larry has been a theatre professional for over 35 years and has been with SCS since 2020. Previously he was Executive Director of Circus Flora in St. Louis, MO, Executive Director of West Virginia Public Theatre, and was the co-founder and producing artistic director of Avalon Theatre Company. He holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Stephens College and has completed the coursework for his MFA in Arts Management and Leadership.
Mike Ryan
Mike, along with Marco Barricelli and the Shakespeare Play On Board of Directors, founded Santa Cruz Shakespeare in 2014, and he has been the Artistic Director since. A 25 year veteran actor, he’s performed with regional theatres and Shakespeare festivals throughout the country. He received his MFA from UCSD and his BFA from SMU where he was a National Merit Scholar.
Charles Pasternak
Charles is honored to be assuming the helm of Santa Cruz Shakespeare. He first worked with Shakespeare Santa Cruz in 2008, when Marco Barricelli hired him to play Romeo; he returned for the 2011 – 2013 seasons, culminating in playing the title role in Henry V. After being named Designate Artistic Director in 2022, Charles directed King John for SCS’s Undiscovered Shakespeare series, and joined the summer company as Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night and Antonio in The Tempest. Charles has worked at theatres across the country, including American Players Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Clarence Brown Theatre, The Denver Center, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Jewel Theatre Company, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Coachella Valley Repertory, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, and three seasons at The Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis. He is the Founding Artistic Director of The Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Company in Los Angeles, which he ran for fifteen years.
Vivian Rogers
Vivian brings more than 20 years of fundraising experience to SC Shakespeare. Her previous position was with the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. She has enjoyed watching many of the productions at the Shakespearean summer festival since 2001.
Rebecca Haley Clark
Rebecca was born and raised in Santa Cruz, and had her first meeting with Shakespeare at Gault Elementary. She received her undergraduate degree in Drama and Comparative Ethnic Studies at Columbia University, a Masters of Classical and Contemporary Text - Directing at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a Fulbright research grant to study Shakespeare and race studies in Rio de Janeiro. She is excited to continue to work within the intersection of social justice, education, and the performing arts.
Isabel Contreras
Isabel is an Indigenous artist who received her BFA in Communication Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University, and has since been exploring positions in graphic design, illustration, and marketing. Whether it's a new art piece or community project, Isabel's main focus is to prioritize culture, representation, and inclusivity in her work. She enjoys creating work that people can identify with and aims to create and build spaces that support and give back to the community.
Dominic Bonner
After coming off of my first season as the Operations Manager, I am excited to be expanding my role and helping to further grow Santa Cruz Shakespeare. I have the desire to learn how to operate a Non-profit business and help make as many improvements as possible using my unique skillsets. I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA where I went on to graduate from Cabrillo Community College before transferring to The University of Minnesota-Duluth. There I was fortunate enough to accept a scholarship to play Division II collegiate football and receive my BA in Communications. My ultimate goal is to help as many people around me succeed and reach their potential with my constant ‘can do’ positive attitude and outlook on life.
Sue Dormanen
After a quiet career in writing and editing, Sue was thrilled to find a lively summer job with her long-time favorite theater company, supporting artists so they can do their best work while at SCS. Her favorite part of the job? Seeing all that’s involved in creating what finally comes to the stage.
Alicia Gibson
Our Dedicated Board
Rick Wright, President
Bill Richter, Immediate Past President
Chris Frost, Vice President
Jean Shimoguchi, Secretary
Liz Sandoval, Treasurer
Margaret Brose
Mary Anne Carson
Lee Duffus
Anna Hackenbracht
Kent Imai
Kevin Lohman
Festival Founder: Audrey Stanley
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