Artistic Director

Company Overview

“Stratford is by every measure – budget, employment, attendance, production – the largest repertory theater in North America, and likely the largest nonprofit theater, period.” – New York Times (August 13, 2024)

Opening night of the Stratford Festival’s first season in 1953 featured renowned British actor Alec Guinness as Richard III. Rapidly expanding in the next few years to become North America’s leading classical theatre company, the Stratford Festival (the Festival) includes large-scale musicals and newly commissioned plays. In addition to the main playbill, the Festival now creates a rich stream of digital content and hundreds of ancillary events are curated each year for the Meighen Forum, to enrich, inform and entertain patrons.

In addition to its public-facing activities, the Festival supports artistic development and growth, through its Birmingham Conservatory for early-career actors, and its Langham Directors’ Workshop for mid-career directors. The Festival features one of the most robust coaching programs in the industry, offering 3,000 classes in voice, movement and text each season.

The Stratford Festival has four venues: three thrust stages (the Festival with 1,800 seats, the new Tom Patterson Theatre with 600 seats, and the Studio Theatre’s 260 seats) and one proscenium arch, the Avon Theatre with 1,100 seats. Since the pandemic the Festival is earning roughly 50% of its $75-million dollar annual budget through ticket sales with the remainder coming from donors, partners, funding agencies and others. The Festival boasts an endowment of $120-million. It is on track to reach its pre-COVID attendance of approximately 500,000.

Job Description

THE ROLE

The incoming Artistic Director (AD) will lead the company, be fully responsible for its artistic vision and creative work and be supported by the Executive Director’s (ED) leadership of the administrative and strategic planning functions. Bringing artistic excellence and an audience-focused approach, the AD will create an exciting playbill that will sustain loyal audiences while attracting new patrons.

It is expected that the new AD will start working during the 4th quarter of 2025 as Artistic-Director Designee. There will be a considerable overlap with the current Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino during 2026. Cimolino will program the 2026 season, while the new AD will be responsible for programming the 2027 season and beyond.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Artistic Vision & Programming                                                

·       Set a clear, distinctive and dynamic artistic vision for the Festival which is bold and varied and serves audiences and stakeholders.

·       Work with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team to ensure this vision is supported across every aspect of the Festival’s organization.

·       Program all plays and other events at the Festival to serve and further the artistic vision.

·       Program the playbill, balancing classical and contemporary work, plays for children, musical theatre, and new work – while reflecting a commitment to Shakespeare.

·       Attract the best acting and creative talent from Canada and internationally to ensure that the Festival presents world-class productions that generate excitement. 

·       Direct one or more plays at the Festival each season.

·       Provide appropriate advice and support, where needed, to ensure that artists are maximizing their potential.

·       Ensure that the Festival stages productions that strive for and achieve excellence, while aiming to reach as wide an audience as possible.

Organizational Leadership

·       Establish a relationship of trust and confidence with the Board of Governors.

·       Work closely with the Chair of the Board and committees to ensure that they are fully informed on all relevant activities.

·       Provide ambitious, confident and inspirational artistic leadership that motivates and engages staff and artists.

·       Establish a strong, complementary and effective working relationship with the Executive Director. 

Strategy

·       Work with the Board and Senior Management to develop a new strategic plan for the Festival.

·       Advance the Festival’s long-term strategic direction and organizational goals, to support the mission and business model, and achieve financial sustainability.

·       Seek revenue from artistic and other commercial opportunities.

·       Further the Stratford Festival’s unique brand identity to enhance its public profile across Canada and internationally and pursue opportunities for touring and transfers.

Budgeting & Finance

·       Hold joint accountability with the ED for the Festival’s financial health, while ensuring efficient and responsible management.

·       Work with the ED to develop operational and production budgets that meet the Festival’s financial targets.

Fundraising & Advocacy

·       Work closely with the ED and the Senior Director of Advancement to provide leadership for the Festival’s fundraising strategies.

·       Cultivate relationships with key donors and sponsors to steward current relationships and generate new funding partnerships in Canada and the U.S.

·       Be an ambassador for the Festival and a leading voice for the theatre industry, promoting the organization with a wide range of high-level stakeholders, media, government officials, and funding bodies both nationally and internationally.

·       Develop partnerships and relationships to increase recognition for the Stratford Festival locally, nationally, and internationally.

Talent Development & Education

·       Ensure the Festival’s talent development and training programs result in a high level of professionalism and performance.

·       Encourage, nurture and develop new creative talents.

·       Support the Festival’s efforts to encourage and educate students to foster interest in Shakespeare and live theatre and develop the audience of the future.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility

·       Provide informed leadership and organizational guidance on all aspects of the Festival’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility approach, ensuring the organization is actively inclusive and anti-discriminatory.

·       Work to ensure that casting and engagement of creatives is inclusive and rigorous.

·       Ensure that the Festival’s work is made for and reaches diverse and wide-ranging audiences.

EXPERIENCE, QUALITIES & SKILLS

·       Significant leadership experience in a theatre company or other theatre organization.

·       A track record for a wide range of programming that attracts critical acclaim and large audiences.

·       Broad knowledge of theatre repertoire, with a strong commitment to Shakespeare.

·       Experience directing a wide range of theatre.

·       The ability to attract the best directors, actors, and other theatre professionals from around the world.

·       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire and motivate the Festival’s various stakeholders, including artists, staff, creative personnel, Board members, donors, and patrons.

·       Understanding of the creative and financial challenges facing the theatre industry and experience in addressing them.

·       Experience in pursuing artistic excellence balanced with responsible fiscal management.

·       Ability to expand the reach of Stratford Festival productions globally via various methods, including licensing, touring, and other media.

·       Willingness and commitment to live in and engage with the community of Stratford, Ontario. Travel and work as needed to broaden and deepen the Festival’s international connections.