The 2026 Gala will celebrate both the extraordinary career of Antoni Cimolino and the Stratford Festival. Held in the ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, the gala evening will include the best of Stratford – music, entertainment and tributes – with Festival artists and special guests.
Event Details
Monday, September 28, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto
Suggested dress code is black tie and evening gown
Valet parking available
Host: Eric McCormack
Guest speaker: Justice Rosalie Abella
Musical guest: Steven Page
Award presentation: Colm Feore
2026 Legacy Honouree
ANTONI CIMOLINO
Antoni Cimolino believes passionately in the importance of the arts, both as a priceless fount of inspiration and illumination and as a vital component of civil society.
From the spectacular rebuild of the beloved Tom Patterson Theatre to the introduction of The Meighen Forum, a unique season-long program of events exploring playbill themes and their relevance to the larger world, his 14 seasons as Artistic Director have been devoted to enhancing the theatregoing experience for the Stratford
Festival’s patrons while reinforcing its artistic vitality and economic well-being.
Under his leadership, the Festival has diversified its company and expanded its repertoire, taking boldly innovative approaches to the classics while also commissioning, developing and premièring new Canadian work. Meanwhile, his embrace of new creative avenues on film and
online reflects his vision of a global presence for the Festival.
Mr. Cimolino’s extraordinary tenure may be summed up in a single word: transformative.