Press Release | Stratford Festival dedicates productions to the memory of Jean-Louis Roux, Suzanne Turnbull and Jack Merigold

January 20, 2014… In the past few months, Canadian theatre has lost some champions, each of whom made a vital contribution to their discipline. The Stratford Festival will commemorate the lives of three of these people, who had close ties to Stratford, through a series of dedications in the 2014 season.

King Lear dedicated to Jean-Louis Roux

King Lear will be dedicated to actor and director Jean-Louis Roux.

“Jean-Louis Roux was a pioneer, creating companies, leading institutions and promoting the critical importance of the arts in our society,” says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, who will direct the production. “He was a valued member of the Stratford company over many years as an actor as well as a director. I last worked with him at the Festival Theatre along with Colm Feore in Coriolanus. Therefore it is with affection that we dedicate this season’s production of King Lear to Jean-Louis, who was ‘every inch a king.’”

M. Roux turned to acting when he was three years into medical school. He worked and trained in France and on his return to Montreal founded Le Théâtre du Nouveau Monde with a group including Jean Gascon, who would later become Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival. M. Roux served as Secretary General of TNM from 1952 to 1963 and then as Artistic Director from 1966 to 1982. He was involved in the creation of the National Theatre School, where he was Director General from 1982 to 1987. He was a member of the Canadian Senate, Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec, Chairman of the Canada Council and a Companion of the Order of Canada.

He was a member of the Stratford Festival company for six seasons between 1956 and 2006, playing Orleans in the famous bilingual Stratford Festival-TNM co-production of Henry V in 1956 and Burgundy in the re-mount of that production in 1966. In addition to playing the First Roman Senator in Coriolanus in 2006, he also played Don Louis in Don Juan, another Stratford Festival-TNM co-production, which was performed in both French and English. The previous year, he directed The Measure of Love, sharing a lifetime of theatre experience with then-new playwright Nicolas Billon, winner of the 2013 Governor General’s Award for Drama.

King John dedicated to Suzanne Turnbull

King John will be dedicated to acting coach Suzanne Turnbull.

“Suzy Turnbull was an acting coach who had a special gift in developing talent,” says Mr. Cimolino. “She worked in theatres and schools across Canada. Her intelligence, compassion and love for acting made her a great force for good in our art form. Along with Michael Mawson and Richard Monette, Suzy was a driving force in the creation of our Birmingham Conservatory. Suzy’s last production at Stratford was Titus Andronicus at the Tom Patterson Theatre. We dedicate our production of King John in that theatre to her memory.”

A multi-talented theatre artist, Ms Turnbull was a beloved member of the Festival’s coaching staff for many years. She was also the dramaturge for Titus Andronicus in 2011 and The Two Gentlemen of Verona in 2010, as well as the assistant director of The Taming of the Shrew in 2008. Her warmth, generosity and intelligence made her a great resource for the Festival company.

Suzie also worked as an acting coach at major training institutions across Canada, including Western University and the University of Windsor, and she herself had a BFA from the University of Alberta. She was a founding member of the NDWT Company, director of education at Kaleidoscope Theatre in Victoria, and a member of the Kam Theatre cooperative in Thunder Bay.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream dedicated to Jack Merigold

A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be dedicated to stage manager Jack Merigold.

“Jack Merigold was a multi-talented man of the theatre,” says Mr. Cimolino. “He worked as an actor and director but made his greatest contribution as a stage manager. His work in the early years at Stratford with Tyrone Guthrie and Michael Langham brought discipline as well as joy to our creative process. Over many years, his boundless energy and puck-like spirit enlivened our theatres. It is no surprise that he played Puck in a production that toured Ontario early in his career. Therefore it is a great pleasure to dedicate our Festival Theatre production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Jack.”

Mr. Merigold was hired as an assistant stage manager by Tyrone Guthrie for the Festival’s inaugural season in 1953. He soon became Dr. Guthrie’s stage manager and their working relationship stretched beyond Stratford to include 12 productions in New York and four in London.

Mr. Merigold was with the Festival for 16 seasons between 1953 and 1976, in a variety of roles. He was the production stage manager for the Avon Theatre and for opera, and later served as the purchasing agent. He was the assistant to the director on 1960’s HMS Pinafore and 1961’s The Pirates of Penzance, a production in which he also appeared as an actor. In 1974 he directed This Is the Rill Speaking at the Third Stage (now the Tom Patterson Theatre). His acting career included a recurring role on CBC TV’s Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town and appearances on the Wayne and Shuster TV specials.

King Lear opens on May 26, King John opens on May 28, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens on May 31.

 -30-

The Beaux’ Stratagem: laugh-out-loud comedy

For sheer, laugh-out-loud fun, look no further than The Beaux’ Stratagem! The first Restoration comedy produced by the Festival since 1995’s The Country Wife, this deliciously hilarious romp will keep you laughing from beginning to end.

Whether you’re an avid fan of the genre or have never seen – or, heard – of a Restoration comedy before, there are many reasons to rush to the front of the line for tickets to The Beaux’ Stratagem, and we’ve come up with just a few for you today.

A cast overflowing with Festival favourites

If you only need one reason to see this play, our brilliant cast speaks for itself. The charming leading men, Colm Feore and Mike Shara, team up to play the titular conniving beaux, Archer and Aimwell, with award-winning Martha Henry returning for her milestone 40th Festival season as Lady Bountiful. Joining them are many Festival favourites who hardly need any introduction, including Bethany Jillard as Dorinda, Lucy Peacock as Mrs. Sullen and Scott Wentworth as Mr. Sullen.

An incredibly gifted director

One look at Antoni Cimolino’s track record and you’ll know that The Beaux’ Stratagem is in very capable hands. Mr. Cimolino has been at the helm of many of the Festival’s most celebrated productions, including The Merchant of Venice and Cymbeline, and, of course, last season’s smash hit, Mary Stuart, which was extended an unprecedented four times.

It’s funny – like, really funny

Yes, it was written in 1707, but with its dark humour and bustling plot full of sexual conquests and amusing antics, audiences should expect a fast-paced, rollicking comedy with themes still relevant in 2014. With hardly a dull moment to be found, The Beaux’ Stratagem is filled to the brim with contemporary wit, bountiful humour and a rich cast of characters that make it must-see theatre. We sure hope to see you there!

Clockwise from left: Bethany Jillard, Lucy Peacock, Colm Feore, Martha Henry, Mike Shara
Photography by Don Dixon. Digital Artist: Krista Dodson

George Farquhar’s The Beaux’ Stratagem follows madly comic antics of two impoverished rakes, who, disguising their identities, arrive in the town of Lichfield seeking to restore their fortunes by wooing wealthy women. As the two connive to relieve ladies of their wealth, they must contend with a suspicious local innkeeper and his band of highwaymen, and with an acquaintance privy to their true identity.

For more information on the production, please visit our website: http://bit.ly/1i1IiH9.

Previews for The Beaux’ Stratagem begin July 31. The play officially opens on August 15. For tickets, please call our box office at 1.800.567.1600 or visit our website stratfordfestival.ca.

Two Job Opportunities at the Stratford Festival | Social Marketing Coordinator | Digital Media Assistant

Would you like to play a meaningful role with North America’s leading classical repertory theatre? At the Stratford Festival, we attract the world’s finest talent, offering a unique experience for staff, artists, and actors alike. If you would like to be a part of this exciting organization, we are looking for someone to fill the role of…

Social Marketing Coordinator– 1 year contract 

Reporting to the Associate Director of Marketing, this role will be responsible for creating, managing and analyzing the organization’s social media strategy in order to grow ticket sales, encourage donations, build engagement and relationships with existing patrons and introduce new audiences to Stratford. This role will achieve results by driving strategic marketing initiatives via social media, creating and posting social media content, investigating and providing recommendations on new platforms, increasing online customer interaction over multiple platforms, creating online promotions and creating and analyzing detailed, actionable monthly statistical reports.  This position will work collaboratively with graphics, digital media, communications and publicity teams in order to coordinate efforts and implement strategies.

The Festival is seeking a web savvy strategic thinker who is a social media enthusiast with a passion for participating in digital communities, creating and sharing content.   The successful candidate will need to demonstrate:

• Personal participation in many social networking and online communities
• Strong knowledge of current social media platforms, plus new opportunities
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Proven ability to analyze social media statistics
• Strong online writing and editing skills
• The ability to think and act strategically
• The ability to work independently and to exercise judgment
• Discretion, diplomacy and tact in dealing with all stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Solid relationship building skills

We recognize that diversity in our workplace, in our audiences and on our stages-fosters a rich and creative environment. We are actively engaged in building a more diverse workforce and encourage all qualified applicants to apply by October 30, 2013 to:

Human Resources
Stratford Festival
55 Queen Street
Stratford, Ontario N5A 6V2
E-mail: resumes@stratfordfestival.ca
Subject: Social Marketing Coordinator
_________________________________________________________________________

The Stratford Festival is North America’s leading classical repertory theatre, entertaining more than half a million people each year. We attract the world’s finest talent, offering a unique experience for staff, artists and actors alike. If you would like to be part of this exciting organization, we are looking for someone to fill the role of…

Digital Media Assistant-8 month contract 

We are currently seeking someone to assist the Stratford Festival Digital Media team with the production of behind-the-scenes content for our digital and online audience (video, photo, graphics, animation, podcasts, etc). 

Along with your initiative, attention to detail, and creativity, you must have the ability to produce compelling online content.  Experience required in shooting/editing video (short and long form) and recording/editing audio (short and long form), operation of live cameras for livestream events, and the ability to develop graphics/animations for digital marketing.

Desired experience will include videography, editing (Premiere or Final Cut Pro); animation techniques (After Effects); photography; content management (Ektron, Flickr, YouTube ); graphic design for web (Photoshop, Illustrator) and a familiarity with and understanding of social media marketing campaigns would be considered an asset. 

This is an entry level position for someone with the appropriate educational background.  Current students and new graduates are welcome to apply.  Samples of your work (eg. demo reel, photography, graphics) will be required to assess your suitability for this role, which will start in early January and run to the end of August, 2014.

We recognize that diversity – in our workplace, in our audiences and on our stages – fosters a rich and creative environment. We are actively engaged in building a more diverse workplace and encourage all qualified applicants to apply by November 15, 2013, to:

Human Resources
Stratford Festival
55 Queen Street
Stratford, Ontario N5A 6V2
E-mail: resumes@stratfordfestival.ca
Subject: Digital Media Assistant

PRESS RELEASE | Stratford Festival actors visit Michigan to work with students and teachers

October 22, 2013… Artists from the Stratford Festival arrived in Michigan this weekend as part of the eighth annual Michigan residency. Festival teaching artists will be in the area until November 1, visiting Michigan State University as well as schools in Detroit and environs, East Lansing, Grand Rapids and Port Huron, where they will lead student workshops based on bringing Shakespeare’s plays to life.

“The Michigan Residency is one of many educational and enrichment activities we offer to foster in young people a lifelong love and appreciation of theatre,” says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. “Our acting company and artisans create magical worlds on our stages every day. Thanks to the generosity of our Michigan members, we are delighted to bring some of that magic to the students and teachers in the Michigan area, as they work with our artists to explore the joy and inspiration that Shakespeare and classical theatre provide.”

Workshops will teach the Festival’s philosophy of actively learning Shakespeare as participants physically work through a variety of texts in Shakespeare’s canon. A number of topics will be explored, including theatrical play analysis, voice, English language arts, monologue coaching, aspects of technical theatre and design for the theatre, the cultural relevance of Shakespeare and the fundamentals of acting.

During the first week of the residency, 13 artists will visit elementary and secondary schools in Detroit and environs, East Lansing, Grand Rapids and Port Huron. At the end of the week, a Teaching Shakespeare workshop for high school teachers will be held at the University of Michigan Detroit Centre. During the second week, the artists will be working with high school students in the Student Immersion Project at the Wharton Center and with classes at Michigan State University. Workshops will also be held at All The World’s A Stage Acting Studio in the nearby village of Romeo, MI.

Led by Stratford Festival Resident Teaching Artist Edward Daranyi, this year’s group of participating artists are:

Graham Abbey
Skye Brandon
Michelle Giroux
Bruce Godfree
Carmen Grant
Alana Hawley
Brad Hodder
Jacob James
Ruby Joy
Tamara Kutcheran
Anthony Malarky
E.B. Smith
Dorcas Sowumni

Participating Schools:

Detroit and area
Detroit School of Arts
Marian High School
Marine City High School
International Academy of Bloomfield Hills
Willow Wood Public School 

East Lansing and area

Everett High School
Chippewa Middle School
Dansville High School
Grand Ledge High School
Lansing Community College
Mason High School
Sexton High School
Wexford Montessori Academy

Grand Rapids and area

Allegan High School
Aquinas College – Performing Arts Center
Byron Center High School
Grandville High School
Forest Hill High School

Port Huron

Port Huron High School
St. Clair Community College

The Festival extends its gratitude to the Wharton Center of Michigan State University and Michigan Member Executive for their support in making this residency happen, as well as the donors who established the Michigan Educational Outreach Fund in the endowed holdings of the Stratford Festival.

-30-

PRESS RELEASE | Colm Feore returns to play King Lear | Festival announces key casting for 2014

October 22, 2013… Colm Feore will be returning to the Stratford Festival for the first time in five years, to play the title role in King Lear. Directed by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, it is the production that will open the 2014 season. Mr. Feore will also play Archer in Mr. Cimolino’s production of The Beaux’ Stratagem.

COLM FEORE AS KING LEAR.
PHOTO BY DON DIXON.

Mr. Feore joins an outstanding group of lead and principal players, including: Graham Abbey, Sarah Afful, Maev Beaty, Evan Buliung, Ben Carlson, Patricia Collins, Cynthia Dale, Sara Farb, Josh Franklin, Jonathan Goad, Martha Henry, Brad Hodder, Bethany Jillard, Dion Johnstone, Chilina Kennedy, Trish Lindström, Tom McCamus, Yanna McIntosh, Seana McKenna, Mike Nadajewski, Stephen Ouimette, Lucy Peacock, Chick Reid, Liisa Repo-Martell, Tom Rooney, Tara Rosling, Steve Ross, Mike Shara, Brian Tree, Scott Wentworth, Geraint Wyn Davies and Jenny Young.

“I am delighted that Colm is able to be with us to take on the commanding role of Lear,” says Mr. Cimolino. “2014 promises to be a thrilling year onstage. We have in our leading roles a number of actors who are at the height of their powers. This extraordinary ensemble will give us moments of both cathartic sadness and giddy joy as we explore the many faces of madness presented through this playbill.”

FESTIVAL THEATRE

SUPPORT FOR THE 2014 SEASON OF THE FESTIVAL THEATRE IS GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY CLAIRE AND DANIEL BERNSTEIN

Stephen Ouimette to play the Fool to Colm Feore’s Lear

KING LEAR | BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE | DIRECTED BY ANTONI CIMOLINO
FESTIVAL THEATRE
PREVIEWS START MAY 5 | OPENS MAY 26 | CLOSES OCTOBER 10
PRODUCTION SPONSOR: SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
PRODUCTION SUPPORT: JANE PETERSEN-BURFIELD & FAMILY, CECIL & LINDA RORABECK,
BARBARA & JOHN SCHUBERT AND CATHERINE & DAVID WILKES

Stephen Ouimette will play the Fool to Colm Feore’s Lear in Antoni Cimolino’s production of King Lear, which will officially open the 2014 Stratford Festival on May 26.

Scott Wentworth, who starred as Tevye, Shylock and Capulet in 2013, will return to play Gloucester. Evan Buliung will play his son, Edgar, and Brad Hodder, his bastard son, Edmund. Jonathan Goad will play the Earl of Kent.

After making her Stratford debut as Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, Sara Farb will take on the role of Cordelia, while Stratford newcomers Maev Beaty and Liisa Repo-Martell will play Goneril and Regan, respectively.

Audiences have been eagerly awaiting Mr. Feore’s return to the Stratford stage since he starred as Macbeth and Cyrano de Bergerac in 2009. In addition to those title roles, he has also played Don Juan, Coriolanus, Hamlet, Romeo and Richard III. In fact, with Lear, he will have played as many title roles at Stratford as the great Christopher Plummer. His talent crosses not only borders but media, with starring roles in film, television and on stage. His television work includes featured roles in The Borgias, Revolution, The Good Wife and Saving Hope, while his film credits include Kenneth Branagh’s Thor, Clint Eastwood’s Changeling and the Oscar-winning film Chicago, which also won the 2003 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture. He will next be seen in Marc Webb’s upcoming sequel to The Amazing Spiderman.

Josh Franklin and Chilina Kennedy take the leads in Crazy for You

 CRAZY FOR YOU | THE NEW GERSHWIN MUSICAL
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY GEORGE GERSHWIN AND IRA GERSHWIN | BOOK BY KEN LUDWIG
DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY DONNA FEORE | FESTIVAL THEATRE
PREVIEWS START APRIL 21 | OPENS MAY 27 | CLOSES OCTOBER 12
PRODUCTION CO-SPONSOR: UNION GAS LIMITED
PRODUCTION SUPPORT: RIKI TUROFSKY & CHARLES PETERSON

Josh Franklin will make his Stratford debut as Bobby Child and Chilina Kennedy will return to Stratford to play Polly Baker in Donna Feore’s production of Crazy for You. Tom Rooney will play Bela Zangler.

Mr. Franklin is currently starring as Billy Crocker in the first national touring production of Kathleen Marshall’s Tony-winning revival of Anything Goes. His previous credits include the Broadway casts of Anything Goes, Ghost, Legally Blonde and Grease as well as in the first national tours of Jersey Boys, Grease, Disney’s On The Record and All Shook Up. Mr. Franklin has also been seen on television in Gossip Girl, The Tony Awards (2007 and 2011) and A Capitol Fourth alongside Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin and the Sesame Street characters.

Ms Kennedy will be back on the Stratford stage for the first time since her Broadway run as Mary Magdelene in the Festival’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar. She made her Stratford debut in 2009 as Maria in West Side Story and quickly became a Festival favourite, delighting audiences as Evita, Lois Lane in Kiss Me, Kate, Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Rose of Sharon in The Grapes of Wrath. Last winter, Ms Kennedy played Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest at the Neptune Theatre, and recently finished a run of the world première of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, in which she originated the role of Phoebe at Hartford Stage and The Old Globe in San Diego. The play was named best new musical of 2012 by The New York Times. This past summer she played the title role in the world première of Evangeline at the Charlottetown Festival.

Stephen Ouimette to play Bottom, with Evan Buliung and Jonathan Goad sharing roles of Titania and Oberon

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM | BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
DIRECTED BY CHRIS ABRAHAM | FESTIVAL THEATRE
PREVIEWS START MAY 16 | OPENS MAY 31 | CLOSES OCTOBER 11
PRODUCTION SPONSOR: BMO FINANCIAL GROUP
PRODUCTION SUPPORT: LARRY ENKIN & FAMILY IN MEMORY OF SHARON ENKIN,
DRS. M.L. MYERS & THE LATE W.P. HAYMAN AND MARTIE & BOB SACHS 

Chris Abraham’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featuring Stephen Ouimette as Bottom, will be set in a Stratford garden in the context of a wedding at which the couple’s actor friends present their own version of the play in celebration. The concept leads to some unconventional casting, including the sharing of the roles of Titania and Oberon by Evan Buliung and Jonathan Goad, Chick Reid as Puck and Tara Rosling as Lysander. Hermia will be played by Bethany Jillard, Helena by Liisa Repo-Martell, and Demetrius by Mike Shara. Scott Wentworth will play Theseus.

Mr. Ouimette will celebrate his 20^th season at Stratford in 2014, after delighting audiences this season as Lucio in Measure for Measure and Estragon in Waiting for Godot. Recent highlights of his time here include Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night, Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Canon Chasuble in The Importance of Being Earnest and Touchstone in As You Like It. He has directed a number of Stratford productions including Timon of Athens in 2004, and has played the title roles in Hamlet, King John, Amadeus and Richard III, as well as many other leading roles. Mr. Ouimette recently gave an acclaimed performance as Harry Hope in The Iceman Cometh at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago with Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy.

Mr. Buliung was last seen at Stratford in 2011 as Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath and Roger in The Little Years. In his eight Stratford seasons, Mr. Buliung’s highlights include Mac in King of Thieves, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet and Edgar in King Lear, a role that he will return to in 2014. His outstanding stage career includes originating the role of Khashoggi in We Will Rock You in Toronto and Aragorn in the world première of Lord of the Rings, for which he earned a Dora nomination. His other credits include Hanks in Farther West and Jamie in Long Day’s Journey into Night at Soulpepper Theatre, Macduff in Macbeth at Chicago Shakespeare, as well as numerous leading roles at the Shaw Festival.

Mr. Goad has taken on the role of Oberon before – in the Festival’s 2004 production. Needless to say he has not yet played Titania. Mr. Goad’s 2013 season featured three major roles: Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Porthos in The Three Musketeers and Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice. His previous Stratford credits include Harold Hill in The Music Man, Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, Hippolytus in Phèdre, Iago in Othello and Angelo in Measure for Measure. He also has numerous film and television credits, including Nikita, Heartland and Rookie Blue, as well as the recurring role of Christian Doyle on Republic of Doyle.

Colm Feore to be joined by Martha Henry, Lucy Peacock, Mike Shara in The Beaux’ Stratagem

THE BEAUX’ STRATAGEM | BY GEORGE FARQUHAR | DIRECTED BY ANTONI CIMOLINO | FESTIVAL THEATRE
PREVIEWS START JULY 31 | OPENS AUGUST 15 | CLOSES OCTOBER 11
PRODUCTION SUPPORT: SYLVIA D. CHROMINSKA, DR. DENNIS & DOROTHEA HACKER AND DIANA TREMAIN

In addition to playing King Lear, Colm Feore will take a comic turn as Archer in Antoni Cimolino’s production of The Beaux’ Stratagem, the first Restoration comedy presented at the Festival since 1995.

He will be joined by Martha Henry as Lady Bountiful, Lucy Peacock as Mrs. Sullen, and Mike Shara as his sidekick Aimwell. Scott Wentworth will play Mr. Sullen and Bethany Jillard, Dorinda.

Ms Henry, one of Canada’s most celebrated artists, will mark her 40^th season in 2014. A Companion of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Governor General’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Ms Henry boasts a career without parallel in this country. Since beginning her Stratford adventure in 1962, Ms Henry has played nearly every female leading role in Shakespeare’s canon, and was seen most recently as the Prof in this season’s beloved production of Taking Shakespeare. Other recent acting credits include Queen Margaret in Richard III, Mme de Rosemonde in Dangerous Liaisons, the Countess of Rosillion in All’s Well That Ends Well and Hecuba in The Trojan Women. Ms Henry is also the Director of the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre.

After her stirring portrayal of Mary Stuart this season, Lucy Peacock will once again collaborate with Mr. Cimolino in 2014. In her 27 seasons, Ms Peacock’s career at Stratford has been studded with extraordinary performances, including Elora in the world première of The Thrill this season as well as Nana in For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, Audrey in As You Like It, Masha in Three Sisters and a tour-de-force performance of all of the characters in The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead. Ms Peacock is also well known as both the Creative Director and host of the popular cabaret series Late Night with Lucy. She will next be seen as Arkadina in The Seagull at the Segal Centre this February.

Since joining the company in 2009, Mr. Shara has quickly become a Festival favourite, with such memorable roles as Roderigo in Othello and Aramis in The Three Musketeers this past season, as well as Cornelius Hackl in The Matchmaker, Christian in Cyrano de Bergerac and Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest. Mr. Shara is a veteran of the Shaw Festival and has performed across the country. His television work includes Murdoch Mysteries, Little Mosque on the Prairie and Queer as Folk.

AVON THEATRE

SUPPORT FOR THE 2014 SEASON OF THE AVON THEATRE IS GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY THE BIRMINGHAM FAMILY.

Tom Rooney to play Cervantes in Man of La Mancha with Chilina Kennedy as Aldonza

MAN OF LA MANCHA
WRITTEN BY DALE WASSERMAN | MUSIC BY MITCH LEIGH | LYRICS BY JOE DARION
DIRECTED BY ROBERT McQUEEN | CHOREOGRAPHED BY MARC KIMELMAN
AVON THEATRE
PREVIEWS START MAY 18 | OPENS MAY 29 | CLOSES OCTOBER 11

Tom Rooney, who in just six seasons has become one of the Festival’s best-loved performers, will play Cervantes in Man of La Mancha. Chilina Kennedy will play Aldonza, in addition to her lead role in Crazy for You. Steve Ross, fresh off his star turns as Uncle Ernie in Tommy and Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof, will play Sancho.

Mr. Rooney is returning for his seventh season after two acclaimed performances this season, as Angelo in Measure for Measure and Vladimir in Waiting for Godot. Festival audiences have been captivated by his richly drawn portrayals of Ensign Pistol in Henry V, Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Master Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Mr. Rooney also has a storied background in musicals, premièring the role of Robert Service in the new Canadian musical Wanderlust in 2012, and starring as Wilbur in both the Broadway and Toronto productions of Hairspray. His remarkable performance in Kristen Thomson’s Someone Else at Crow’s Theatre this past January earned him the Dora Award for Outstanding Performance.

Trish Lindström to play lead in star-studded Alice

SCHULICH CHILDREN’S PLAYS PRESENTS
ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS | BY LEWIS CARROLL
ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY JAMES REANEY | DIRECTED BY JILLIAN KEILEY
AVON THEATRE
PREVIEWS START APRIL 30 | OPENS MAY 31 | CLOSES OCTOBER 12

Trish Lindström, last seen at the Festival as Miranda to Christopher Plummer’s Prospero, will return to Stratford to play the title role in Alice Through the Looking-Glass. She will be joined by Cynthia Dale as the Red Queen, Dion Johnstone as the White King, Tom McCamus as the March Hare and Brian Tree as Humpty Dumpty.

In just three seasons at Stratford, Ms Lindström has given many memorable performances in addition to her Miranda, including Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker, Louise in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Lucetta in The Two Gentleman of Verona. Her extensive stage career includes Helen in Bloodless: Trial of Burke and Hare at Theatre 20, Catherine Givings in In the Next Room or the vibrator play at Tarragon Theatre and Titania/Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Soulpepper Theatre, as well as Squeaky Fromme in Assassins at TIFT/Birdland and the title role in Mimi at Tarragon, both of which earned her Dora Award nominations.

Hay Fever to feature Lucy Peacock and Cynthia Dale

 HAY FEVER | BY NOËL COWARD | DIRECTED BY ALISA PALMER | AVON THEATRE
PREVIEWS START MAY 28 | OPENS JUNE 19 | CLOSES OCTOBER 11
PRODUCTION SUPPORT: M. VAILE FAINER AND BARBARA & CHIP VALLIS

Lucy Peacock continues her comic bent in 2014 playing Judith Bliss in the sparkling Noël Coward play Hay Fever. Cynthia Dale, last seen as Dorothy Brock in the 2012 hit 42nd Street, will play Myra Arundel.

Throughout her 11 seasons, Ms Dale has played many memorable leading roles including Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Maria in The Sound of Music, Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Guenevere in Camelot, Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker and Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew. A true triple sensation, Ms Dale has worked extensively in theatre from Toronto to New York and on screen in countless television and film productions. Her wildly popular cabaret Cynthia Dale in Concert: Outside Looking In was a highlight of the Festival’s inaugural Forum this season.

TOM PATTERSON THEATRE

SUPPORT FOR THE 2014 SEASON OF THE TOM PATTERSON THEATRE IS GENEROUSLY PROVIDED
BY RICHARD ROONEY AND LAURA DINNER

Tom McCamus to play King John with Seana McKenna as Constance

 KING JOHN | BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE | DIRECTED BY TIM CARROLL
TOM PATTERSON THEATRE
PREVIEWS START MAY 21 | OPENS MAY 28 | CLOSES SEPTEMBER 20
PRODUCTION SUPPORT: KARON BALES & CHARLES BEALL

Tim Carroll’s production of King John will feature Tom McCamus in the title role and will have him once more sharing the stage with Seana McKenna, who will play Constance. The two were seen together most recently in The Matchmaker and Dangerous Liaisons.

Graham Abbey, after his gripping portrayal of Iago in this season’s Othello, will play the Bastard. Patricia Collins, whose 2013 credits include a heart-rending portrayal of Hanna in The Thrill, will play Queen Eleanor.

A stalwart of the Festival stage, Mr. McCamus has given audiences a string of powerful and memorable performances, most recently including Antonio in The Merchant of Venice, Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, Iachimo in Cymbeline, Tim Casey in The Grapes of Wrath and Le Vicomte de Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons. His beautifully drawn comedic characters include Horace Vandergelder in The Matchmaker, Captain Hook in Peter Pan and Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor. His career at Stratford stretches back to 1994, when he made his unforgettable debut as Edmund Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey into Night.

Seana McKenna to play Mother Courage; joined by Geraint Wyn Davies and Ben Carlson

MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN | BY BERTOLT BRECHT
DIRECTED BY MARTHA HENRY | TOM PATTERSON THEATRE
PREVIEWS START MAY 15 | OPENS MAY 30 | CLOSES SEPTEMBER 21
PRODUCTION SUPPORT: THE HARKINS FAMILY IN MEMORY OF SUSAN HARKINS AND ALICE & TIM THORNTON

Director Martha Henry says there aren’t many actresses who can take on the role of Mother Courage, but we are extremely fortunate to have such an extraordinary talent in Seana McKenna. Ms McKenna will be joined in this production by two other exceptional performers, Geraint Wyn Davies, in the role of the Cook, and Ben Carlson as the Chaplain.

After her gripping portrayal of Elizabeth in this season’s sold-out production of Mary Stuart, Ms McKenna will return for her 23^rd season in 2014. Her distinguished career includes searing portrayals of some of dramatic literature’s most tragic figures, including Medea, Andromache, Phèdre, Clytemestra and Richard III. Highly regarded for her remarkable versatility, Ms McKenna has also turned in a number of memorable comedic performances, most recently including the hilarious Madame Arcati in this season’s Blithe Spirit and Dolly Levi in The Matchmaker. She has played every one of Shakespeare’s leading ladies, many of them here at Stratford, as well as his wife, Anne Hathaway, in the one-woman show Shakespeare’s Will.

Mr. Carlson will mark his seventh season at Stratford in 2014, after delighting audiences this season as Lord Burleigh in Mary Stuart and Charles in Blithe Spirit. Highlights of his time at the Festival include Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Fluellen in Henry V, Feste in Twelfth Night, Touchstone in As You Like It, Brutus in Julius Caesar and the title role in Hamlet. He has worked throughout Canada and the United States, and spent 12 seasons at the Shaw Festival, where he is well remembered for his marathon Man and Superman, The Return of the Prodigal and All My Sons, among many other performances.

Geraint Wyn Davies and Yanna McIntosh are Antony and Cleopatra

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA | BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE | DIRECTED BY GARY GRIFFIN
TOM PATTERSON THEATRE
PREVIEWS START AUGUST 3 | OPENS AUGUST 14 | CLOSES SEPTEMBER 20
PRODUCTION SUPPORT: M.E.H. FOUNDATION

Geraint Wyn Davies and Yanna McIntosh will once again share the stage, this time as Shakespeare’s great lovers Antony and Cleopatra, under the direction of Gary Griffin. They were last seen together in 2012, as Cymbeline and his Queen, and in 2009, as Julius Caesar and Calphurnia.

The production will also feature Ben Carlson as Octavius and Tom McCamus as Enobarbus.

Mr. Wyn Davies, featured this year as Duke Vincentio in Measure for Measure and the Earl of Leicester in Mary Stuart, as well as in the Forum series Geraint Wyn Davies Presents… “Wordplay,” will return to the Festival for his 11^th season. He began his Stratford career in 1986, playing the title role in Pericles and Antipholus of Syracuse in The Boys from Syracuse, and quickly became a true Festival favourite. His most recent triumphs include Cymbeline, Stephano in The Tempest, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Polonius in Hamlet and Dylan Thomas in the one-man show Do Not Go Gentle. His stage career has taken him throughout Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. and he has dozens of film and television credits, including key roles on ReGenesis, Republic of Doyle, 24, Slings and Arrows, Airwolf and Forever Knight.

Returning for her ninth season, Ms McIntosh was last in the company in 2012, with key roles in two of the season’s most highly lauded productions, playing the Queen in Cymbeline and a powerful and highly original Elektra. Her Stratford credits also include Queen Elizabeth in Richard III, Grace in The Little Years, Hermione in The Winter’s Tale, Lady Macbeth, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helen in The Trojan Woman and Mme. Volanges in Dangerous Liaisons. Ms McIntosh is a Dora and Gemini Award-winning actor, whose Toronto credits include Condoleeza Rice in Stuff Happens and the title roles in Mary Stuart, Hedda Gabler and Belle. She was recently nominated for the Christopher Plummer Fellowship Award of Excellence.

STUDIO THEATRE

 Newcomer Jenny Young to play Queen Christina
CHRISTINA, THE GIRL KING
BY MICHEL MARC BOUCHARD | TRANSLATED BY LINDA GABORIAU
DIRECTED BY VANESSA PORTEOUS | STUDIO THEATRE
PREVIEWS START JULY 29 | OPENS AUGUST 14 | CLOSES SEPTEMBER 21 

Jenny Young will make her Stratford debut as the androgynous, free-thinking monarch in Michel Marc Bouchard’s Christina, The Girl King, translated by Linda Gaboriau and directed by Vanessa Porteous. The production also features Graham Abbey as Count Johan Oxenstierna.

A graduate of Studio 58 in Vancouver, Ms Young was most recently seen in the critically acclaimed satire Proud, at Ottawa’s Great Canadian Theatre Company. Her other stage credits include Frieda in The Clockmaker at the Thousand Islands Playhouse, Rhoda Dunn in The Age of Arousal at the Shaw Festival, Karen in And So It Goes at the Factory Theatre and a Maid in the world première of Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, a co-production between The Royal Shakespeare Company and the Canadian National Arts Centre. She also played Ernestine in The Anger in Ernest & Ernestine at Theatre Columbus, for which she earned a Dora Nomination for Outstanding Performance.

Sarah Afful, Dion Johnstone, Trish Lindström, Mike Nadajewski present the Chamber Dream

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, A CHAMBER PLAY | BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
DIRECTED BY PETER SELLARS
LOCATION STILL TO BE REVEALED
PREVIEWS START JULY 11 | OPENS JULY 24 | CLOSES SEPTEMBER 20 

This intimate production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, reimagined by director Peter Sellars, will feature a group of four actors playing all of the roles: Sarah Afful, Dion Johnstone, Trish Lindström and Mike Nadajewski.

Returning for her third season, Ms Afful is a recent graduate of the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre. This season, she played Mariana in Measure for Measure and appeared in Mary Stuart. Her previous Stratford credits include roles in Elektra and The Pirates of Penzance. Ms Afful’s other credits include Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing and Octavia/Iris in Antony and Cleopatra at Bard on the Beach, as well as roles in Macbeth: nach Shakespeare at Theatre Conspiracy/Gas Heart, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot at Pound of Flesh/Pacific Theatre and The Eighth Land at PI Theatre. Her film and television career includes roles on Smallville, Caprica, Eureka, The Perfect Score and American Dreams.

Hot off his searing portrayal of Othello, Dion Johnstone will return to participate in Mr. Sellars’s innovative Dream project. Audiences will remember him from another Stratford Dream, the 2009 production in which he played Oberon. His other memorable performances here include Aaron in Titus Andronicus, Caliban in The Tempest, Macduff in Macbeth, Edmund in King Lear and Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird. Mr. Johnstone has a vast television career as well, including roles on Flashpoint, Defiance, The Listener and Stargate SG-1.

Mike Nadajewski will celebrate his fifth season in 2014, after delighting audiences as Peter in Romeo and Juliet and Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof this season. His Stratford highlights include Mordred in Camelot, Mike in Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris and Amiens in As You Like It. He will also be remembered for playing Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar, a role which he reprised on Broadway and at La Jolla Playhouse, and Hero in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, which he reprised in a Mirvish production in Toronto. A graduate of the Birmingham Conservatory, Mr. Nadajewski is also the co-founder of Talk Is Free Theatre.

Tickets for the 2014 season will go on sale to Members of the Stratford Festival on November 11, 2013, and to the general public on January 4, 2014. To purchase tickets at that time, visit stratfordfestival.ca or call the box office at 1.800.567.1600.

-30-

Three Job Opportunities at the Stratford Festival

The Stratford Festival is North America’s leading classical repertory theatre, entertaining more than half a million people each year. We attract the world’s finest talent, offering a unique experience for staff, artists and actors alike. If you would like to be part of this exciting organization, we are looking for someone to fill the role of…

 Assistant Buyer-Wardrobe department (maternity leave)

This contract position is responsible for assisting with the inventory and purchase of all notions, Health and Safety/personal protective equipment and maintenance supplies. You will be expected to establish and maintain excellent relations with wholesalers and retail suppliers while maintaining current information in both a computerized and manual environment. This will include some travel both locally and in the Toronto area on a regular basis. You will also act as a liaison between several departments within the organization including conveying the needs of our theatres’ designers and wardrobe artisans to our many suppliers.

You must have good working knowledge of the computer programs Word & Excel and a strong ability to research items and suppliers on the internet. It is extremely important that you are able to multi-task several demands at one time in an efficient and timely fashion while maintaining a high level of accuracy. Excellent communication skills in both verbal and written are considered essential. It will be necessary for you to be in possession of a valid Ontario Drivers’ License and will be required to use your own vehicle.

This is a temporary seasonal position located in Stratford beginning January 20, 2014 and ending July 11, 2014.

We recognize that diversity in our workplace, in our audiences and on our stages, fosters a rich and creative environment. We are actively engaged in building a more diverse workforce and encourage all qualified applicants to apply by October 25, 2013 to:

Human Resources
Stratford Festival
55 Queen Street
Stratford, Ontario N5A 6V2
E-mail: resumes@stratfordfestival.ca
Subject: Assistant Wardrobe Buyer
Fax: 519-271-0626

_________________________________________________________________________

The Stratford Festival is North America’s leading classical repertory theatre, entertaining more than half a million people each year. We attract the world’s finest talent, offering a unique experience for staff, artists and actors alike. If you would like to be part of this exciting organization, we are looking for someone to fill the role of…

Retail Manager

 Reporting to the Director of Audience Development, your primary responsibility will be to manage the Stratford Festival’s retail operations, ensuring that the Theatre Store operations are profitable, effectively operated, and support the overall brand and mandate of the Stratford Festival.

You will oversee the design of all customized product, the purchasing of all retail offerings and determine the store layout and in-store displays. You will direct and oversee the Festival’s online Theatre Store determining the product mix and implementing improvements that are in line with the best practices for online retail. Where applicable, you will negotiate and manage royalty agreements for production-specific merchandise.

Operationally, you will prepare and manage the annual budget for the Theatre Store, ensuring that both revenue targets and expenses are met, and adjusting forecasts as appropriate.  You will establish internal policies and procedures and will work closely with the Finance department to implement purchasing and inventory controls.  You will analyze sales trends and respond by managing pricing and promotions, and through visual merchandising.

You will hire and manage all seasonal sales associates, operational staff, and lead hands.  One of your key responsibilities will be to motivate staff to reach sales targets through staff meetings, promotions, and incentive programs.  You will also ensure that extraordinary customer service is delivered to Stratford Festival patrons through all retail channels.

You will bring post-secondary education in retail management or business with 5 or more years of related experience.  You must demonstrate strong retail sales skills, proven experience in managing and motivating staff, a track-record of using creative ideas to reach sales targets, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work as part of a larger team.

This is a full-time position located in Stratford, ON.

We recognize that diversity – in our workplace, in our audiences and on our stages – fosters a rich and creative environment. We are actively engaged in building a more diverse workplace and encourage all qualified applicants to apply by October 30, 2013 to:

Human Resources
Stratford Festival
55 Queen Street
Stratford, Ontario N5A 6V2
E-mail: resumes@stratfordfestival.ca
Subject: Retail Manager
_________________________________________________________________________

The Stratford Festival is North America’s leading classical repertory theatre, entertaining more than half a million people each year. We attract the world’s finest talent, offering a unique experience for staff, artists and actors alike. If you would like to be part of this exciting organization, we are looking for someone to fill the role of…

Props Apprentice – Festival Theatre – Production department

As an apprentice, you will work with some of this industry’s top craftspeople and artisans, learning the techniques and skills required to work in a large-scale repertory theatre. The apprentice position will consist of a 20-week contract over the winter/spring 2014, and will combine a period of training with work on the 2014 season productions.

There is an option for a second year of training starting February 2015.

Applicants should have post-secondary education in Fine Arts. Theatre Arts, or a related field, and have some theatre production experience. Apprentices will be required to interact with other production staff, designers, and craftspeople, therefore good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment are essential. This position can be physically strenuous and require some heavy lifting.

A portfolio demonstrating skills would be an asset.

This position will begin early February 2014.

We recognize that diversity – in our workplace, in our audiences and on our stages – fosters a rich and creative environment. We are actively engaged in building a more diverse workplace and encourage all qualified applicants to apply by November 8th, 2013 to:

Human Resources
Stratford Festival
55 Queen Street
Stratford, Ontario N5A 6V2
E-mail: resumes@stratfordfestival.ca
Subject: Props Apprentice
Fax: 519-271-0626

Job Opportunity | Props Apprentice – Festival Theatre – Production department

The Stratford Festival is North America’s leading classical repertory theatre, entertaining more than half a million people each year. We attract the world’s finest talent, offering a unique experience for staff, artists and actors alike. If you would like to be part of this exciting organization, we are looking for someone to fill the role of…

Props Apprentice – Festival Theatre – Production department

As an apprentice, you will work with some of this industry’s top craftspeople and artisans, learning the techniques and skills required to work in a large-scale repertory theatre. The apprentice position will consist of a 20-week contract over the winter/spring 2014, and will combine a period of training with work on the 2014 season productions.

There is an option for a second year of training starting February 2015.

Applicants should have post-secondary education in Fine Arts. Theatre Arts, or a related field, and have some theatre production experience. Apprentices will be required to interact with other production staff, designers, and craftspeople, therefore good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment are essential. This position can be physically strenuous and require some heavy lifting.

A portfolio demonstrating skills would be an asset.

This position will begin early February 2014.

We recognize that diversity – in our workplace, in our audiences and on our stages – fosters a rich and creative environment. We are actively engaged in building a more diverse workplace and encourage all qualified applicants to apply by November 8th, 2013 to:

Human Resources
Stratford Festival
55 Queen Street
Stratford, Ontario N5A 6V2
E-mail: resumes@stratfordfestival.ca
Subject: Props Apprentice
Fax: 519-271-0626

PRESS RELEASE | Playwrights, directors and actors take part in In Vitro: Airings from the Laboratory

October 15, 2013… Join us October 15 to 19 for In Vitro: Airings from the Laboratory, a free series of discussions, demonstrations and dialogue emerging from the inaugural season of the Laboratory, the Festival’s new research and development program for artistic experimentation and exploration.

The Laboratory has provided space for our artists, artisans and staff to participate in master classes with special guest artists and exploratory workshops using rehearsal processes and performance styles from around the world. This special end-of-season series allows our company members to share some of their discoveries. Demonstrations of the work will be accompanied by dialogues and open discussions with the playwrights, directors and actors who have been instrumental in the creative process.

“I believe that exploration and innovation are at the centre of the Festival,” says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. “The idea behind the Laboratory is to provide opportunities not only to experiment with different ways of examining great classic texts but also to explore new large-scale works as well. The Lab is for our artists what the Forum is for our audiences: a transformational experience that provokes curiosity and discussion while enabling us all to enjoy theatre in a deeper and more dynamic way. I am incredibly proud of the work done in this program and cannot wait to share it with the public.”

Join us for a series of informal gatherings hosted by Keira Loughran, Creative Associate for Special Projects, and Bob White, Director of New Plays.

In Vitro: Airings from the Laboratory
Avon Rehearsal Hall 1, enter through the Studio Theatre
10 a.m. – noon, October 15 – 19
Admission is free. Space is limited, so please reserve a ticket through the box office, 1.800.567.1600 or stratfordfestival.ca/invitro.

Tuesday, October 15
Traditions and Trajectories
What is the history of Stratford as a place of innovation? How do we walk the line artistically between tradition and evolution? Join directors and company members, including Patricia Collins and Brian Tree, in an examination of where we – the Stratford Festival – come from and a look at where we – the Stratford Festival – might go to continue to embrace the global diversity of our country and expand our craft.

Wednesday, October 16
The Power of Play
Through moderated discussion with actors and directors and a hands-on demonstration led by Varrick Grimes and Andrew Shaver, this session will examine the role of games and play within a process and within a production. How do they impact the actor’s engagement or responsibility? What is the place of play within a “set” production?

Thursday, October 17
Classic Women in Contemporary Times
Join director Heather Davies and company members, including Carmen Grant, Kate Hennig and Michelle Giroux, in a discussion of the roles for women within the classical canon and the possibilities and challenges offered in cross-gender casting.

Friday, October 18
Original Practices
This session will centre on the reflections and discoveries made through the textual approach used by Tim Carroll in our production of Romeo and Juliet, discoveries made in the Forum event on Original Pronunciation, and Coffee and a Scroll – led by company member Kaitlyn Riordan and Shakespeare in the Ruff, in which company members will explore original staging practices believed to be used in Shakespeare’s time through a spontaneous staging of an edited Henry VI, Part 3. Donations will be taken for the Actor’s Fund of Canada.

Saturday, October 19
The Making of Meaning
Join directors Varrick Grimes, Thomas Morgan Jones, Clare Preuss and Kate Hennig as we explore the diverse processes of devising work; creating work without a script, the job of the actor within that process, the proposition of non-text based narrative, and navigating the means of storytelling.

 

The Stratford Festival’s 2013 season runs until October 27, featuring Romeo and Juliet, Fiddler on the Roof, The Three Musketeers, The Merchant of Venice, Tommy, Blithe Spirit, Othello, Measure for Measure, Mary Stuart, Waiting for Godot, Taking Shakespeare and The Thrill.

-30-

Romeo and Juliet – The Rehearsal Blogs Pt. II

Live theatre is never static. From its early rehearsal days to its grand opening and subsequent run of performances, the life of a show evolves. How do the actors keep each performance fresh, while honouring the director’s vision? The Education Department has asked some actors from this season’s production of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Tim Carroll, to share with us their experiences and discoveries while rehearsing and performing the play.

Skye Brandon plays Benvolio in this season’s production. He shares with us some of his behind-the-scenes experiences during the run of Romeo and Juliet.
_________________________________________________________________________

by Skye Brandon

We are now nearing the end of the 2013 season and I’m finding it hard to believe how far our Romeo and Juliet has come since we started rehearsals back in late February. I don’t know that I’ve ever been part of a show that has remained as faithful to the director’s vision, while at the same time grown in leaps and bounds.

From Left: Daniel Briere as Romeo, Skye Brandon as Benvolio, and Tyrone Savage as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. Photo by David Hou.

One of the biggest changes we had to deal with was the loss of our Lord Capulet. The very talented Scott Wentworth ended up taking on the role of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice when Brian Bedford had to step out for health reasons. For a number of weeks Scott was getting his Shylock ready while still playing Capulet as well as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. You could see the fatigue wearing him down. So eventually the decision was made to release Scott from Romeo and Juliet, which meant Wayne Best took over as Capulet, Robert King became Montague and André Morin became Abraham. There is no doubt in my mind that we were able to make that transition so easily because of the rehearsal process we had with our director, Tim Carroll. He told us, and reminded us throughout the season, that although he gave us specific guidelines in how to approach the text, he still wants us to keep exploring and ultimately have fun while we do it. That approach has prepared the ensemble for anything.

And we have been having fun performing this show, despite the fact that it is a tragedy. No two shows are exactly the same. For me personally, I’ve had a couple of performances where I changed my entrance (when I knew it wouldn’t affect the previous scene); and I had the realization just over halfway through our run that during Capulet’s feast we could ask any lady to dance. We all learned the same choreography, so what was to stop us from asking someone different to dance each show? Something as simple as changing dance partners has prevented that large group scene from becoming automatic. We honestly don’t know how the dance is going to end up.

And there has been nothing automatic about the scenes either. It may not seem different to audience members who have seen the show more than once, but actors are continually exploring the text and trying slightly different approaches to the delivery. All while honouring Tim’s direction.

This production has been an absolute pleasure to be in. It could be a very long time until I get another chance to be a part of a true ensemble.

_________________________________________________________________________

Want to read more?

Daniel Briere plays Romeo in this season’s production of Romeo and Juliet. He shares with us his first-day experience of being on the “Tanya Stage,” and the various exercises involved in understanding the power of the narrative and the importance of connecting with the audience and his fellow actors. Click here to read his full blog.

PRESS RELEASE | Berthold Carrière named Director of Music Emeritus

October 7, 2013… The Stratford Festival has named Berthold Carrière to the honorary position of Director of Music Emeritus. Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino made the appointment official at the Festival’s loyal service dinner on October 6, 2013.

 

“Bert has made an enormous contribution to music at Stratford,” says Mr. Cimolino. “It was under his tenure that the performance of musicals became such a source of strength and renown for our Festival. He is also, to my mind, one of the very finest composers for the theatre. He is especially gifted in setting Shakespeare’s words to music. In his settings, the words and their meaning never seemed so clear and touching. And his melodies sweetly stay in your mind as a fond memory to savour.

 

“Bert’s kind personality, his generosity and his care for the Festival have made him not only an important composer and conductor but also a leader who brought humanity to our artistic ambitions. I am delighted to celebrate his contribution by recognizing him as Director of Music Emeritus.”

 

Mr. Carrière, who served as Director of Music from 1975 to 2007, first joined the Festival as a conductor in 1973 and the following year wrote the music for the new Sandra Jones play Ready Steady Go at the Third Stage (now the Tom Patterson Theatre). He went on to compose or arrange the music for more than 80 Stratford productions, including five that were New York-bound: 1984’s The Mikado, 1998’s Much Ado About Nothing and The Miser, 2004’s King Lear and 2009’s The Importance of Being Earnest.

 

With the resurgence of musical theatre at Stratford in the 1980s, Mr. Carrière’s responsibilities expanded to include auditioning of singers, reviewing music projects and working with directors and choreographers such as Brian Macdonald, Michael Lichtefeld and Donna Feore. He served as musical director and conductor for a string of enormously successful Gilbert and Sullivans, including: H.M.S. Pinafore, The Gondoliers and Iolanthe, all of which were broadcast on CBC; The Pirates of Penzance; and The Mikado, which in addition to its run on Broadway also toured to The Old Vic in London, was broadcast across Canada on CBC and on A&E in the U.S.

 

More recently, he was Musical Director for a number of hit musicals at the Festival, including The Sound of Music (2001), My Fair Lady (2002), Oliver! (2006), South Pacific(2006) and My One and Only (2007).

 

Prior to joining the Festival, Mr. Carrière was Music Director at the Banff School of Fine Arts, Theatre London and the Ottawa Little Theatre. He arranged and conducted music for CBC radio and television and taught in the Ottawa area. In 1967, Canada’s Centennial, he conducted for the Dominion Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in the presence of the Queen. He wrote the music for the popular 1982 television miniseries Little Gloria…Happy at Last.

 

Mr. Carrière was awarded a Special Tribute Guthrie Award in 1975; two Doras (for The Boy Friend, 1981, and The Mikado, 1987); and the University of Western Ontario’s Alumni Professional Achievement Award (2000). In 2001 he was named a member of the Order of Canada, and he was given the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003.