Biography

Joseph Paul Stachura was the founder and Managing Artistic Director of both the Knightsbridge Theatre and The National American Shakespeare Company as well as Knightsbridge Theatre Films. Mr. Stachura is married to actress and writer Shari Shattuck and has two daughters Creason Carbo and Calee Maudin. A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Stachura appeared in several stage plays. Seeking growth as a director, actor and artist Mr. Stachura relocated to England and started what turned out to be five years of traveling, learning and working all around the world. Spending long periods of time in London, Durham, Western Europe, Australia, Japan, China, India and South East Asia has given Mr. Stachura a unique perspective on the craft of directing and acting and has nurtured in him a true passion for film and theatre. At the age of 26, Mr. Stachura returned to Los Angeles and began directing and producing theatre, focusing on Shakespeare as well as pursuing his directing and producing career in film. He was the "actors director" on the 35mm feature film, Hrad z pisku (1994) (aka The Sand Castle), and directed the video cable film, Othello (previous link went to Branagh film) in 1992, he then directed the 35mm feature film, Simple Gifts (1998), in 1998. Mr. Stachura focused on his directing and producing career at his Knightsbridge Theatres, and the National American Shakespeare Company, where he has produced over 300 plays from 1993. Mr. Stachura's recent 2011 feature film, Redemption (2011), distributed by Mar Vista Entertainment. To date, "Redemption" is also an "Official Selection" of the Almeria Western Film Festival -competing against major films such as True Grit (2010)- and the Beverly Hills Film Festival. Realizing a true need for a classically-based theatre company in Los Angeles, Joseph built and opened the first Knightsbridge Theatre in Pasadena in 1993, then opened a second Knightsbridge Theatre in Los Angeles in 2000. Mr. Stachura has produced a staggering 312 productions, from William Shakespeare's entire canon to David Mamet, Henrik Ibsen, Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller and many, many more. Both theaters are now permanently closed. He has written numerous stage and screenplays, produced feature films and is currently in negotiations on his new feature film. He has won best actor awards for his performances as "Hamlet", "Cyrano de Bergerac", "Macbeth", "Richard III" and "Lenny" in "Of Mice and Men", and he has also won numerous awards for his directing and producing, including Best Director of the Year for his brilliant productions of "Much Ado About Nothing", "Cyrano de Bergerac" and "Macbeth". Knightsbridge productions have received well over one hundred awards and accolades since 1991, including an Award Resolution from the California State Senate and Senator Adam Schiff. With all of his accomplishments, Mr. Stachura's greatest pride comes from his family and nurturing the growth of his fellow directors, actors and writers at his Knightsbridge Theatre and at the National American Shakespeare Company.

- IMDb mini biography by: Joseph P. Stachura