Martha Henry is the Director and Bonnie Green is the Associate
Producer of the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction.
The Langham workshop offers emerging directors the opportunity to
gain critical insight into skills needed for directing classical theatre.
Participants work as Assistant Directors on Festival productions and
tasks include research, script analysis, attending production meetings, direction
of the understudies 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 of a specific
production. You will be on site for eight to 16 weeks – from the first day of
rehearsal until the opening or the understudy run of your show, whichever comes
later. In the fall, participants return to the Festival to direct a short piece
of classical theatre at the Directors’ Workshop Presentation for an invited
audience in the Studio Theatre.
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,
tickets 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.
Selection
Directors are chosen by application and/or recruitment. The
Festival is open to new directors from all backgrounds and areas of Canadian
theatre.