Martha Henry is the Director of the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction. The Langham workshop offers emerging directors the opportunity to gain critical insight into mastering the art of directing classical theatre. Participants work as Assistant Directors on Festival productions and tasks include research, script analysis, attending production meetings, understudy preparation and liaising with production departments. Classes with guest artists, Festival coaching staff and directors are also scheduled. The Directors’ Workshop Presentation is the culminating project, for which directors choose and direct a classical scene in the Studio Theatre in October.
Participants have access to tours, mentoring, shows and events, the Festival’s Archives and libraries, and both formal and informal opportunities to speak with senior staff and visiting artists. Assistant Directors are paid a fee, a housing subsidy, and travel.
The Workshop is open to Canadian citizens or residents only.
Your Commitment as a Participant
Your main focus is to be the assistant director on a specific production. You will be on-site for 8 to 16 weeks – from the first day of rehearsal until the opening of your show. In the fall, selected participants return to the Festival to direct a short piece of classical theatre at the Directors' Workshop Presentation for an invited audience.
Fully Immersive Instruction
Specialized classes are taught by guest artists to explore specific textual, vocal and physical skills used to rehearse a classical play.
Additional Benefits
You can take advantage of everything the Stratford Festival offers, including company classes taught by the Festival coaching staff, tours, access to productions, invitations to special events, access to the Festival’s Archives and libraries, and both formal
and informal opportunities to speak with senior staff and visiting artists. You will be paid a fee and a housing subsidy, and all travel is covered.