Charles Pasternak took on the role of Artistic Director for Shakespeare Santa Cruz in 2023. Before that he served as Artistic Director of The Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Company in Los Angeles for over fifteen years. He has had a wide-ranging career as an actor and director at theatres across this country, including American Players Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Clarence Brown Theatre, The Denver Center, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, three seasons with The Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis and four with Shakespeare Santa Cruz.