Free talks and workshops related to the 2024 season will be hosted by the Toronto, London and Hamilton Public Libraries and Friends of the McGill Library on various dates in January, March, April, May and June.

Lectures are non-ticketed events. Some workshops require pre-registration through the host library. See below for more information.

The Shakespeare Lecture - Friends of the McGill Library

Jessica B. Hill will be this year's guest for the annual Friends of the McGill Library and Stratford Festival Shakespeare Lecture on January 25, 2024 at 6 p.m. To learn more about this hybrid event, visit McGill Library's event page.

Toronto Reference Library (Beeton Hall)
789 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

All lectures begin at 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, March 5: Romeo and Juliet with Misha Teramura, Assistant Professor, English, University of Toronto
• Tuesday, March 12: Cymbeline with Alexander Leggatt, Professor Emeritus, English, University of Toronto
• Tuesday, March 19: Twelfth Night with Jane Freeman, Director, Graduate Centre for Academic Communication, University of Toronto
• Tuesday, March 26: Hedda Gabler with Philippa Sheppard, Lecturer, English, University of Toronto

London Public Library - Central Branch
251 Dundas Street, London, ON

This year’s London Public Library series features hands-on workshops facilitated by Stratford Festival teaching artists and culminates with a lecture by Western professor Randall Martin. For workshops, please register one week in advance online, in person or by calling 519-661-4600.

• Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m.: Playing Shakespeare Workshop (with a focus on Romeo and Juliet)
• Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m.: Dance/Movement Workshop
• Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m.: Stage Combat Workshop
• Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m.: Twelfth Night with Randall Martin, Adjunct Research Professor at Western University and recently retired Professor of English at the University of New Brunswick   
  

Hamilton Public Library

Hamilton Public Library will be hosting a series of hands-on workshops facilitated by Stratford Festival teaching artists at several of their branches in May and June. Visit their website to learn more.

• Thursday, May 2 at 11 a.m.: Movement Workshop at Stoney Creek Branch (777 Hwy. 8, Stoney Creek, ON)
• Wednesday, May 8 at 2 p.m.: Movement Workshop at Waterdown Branch (163 Dundas St. E, Hamilton, ON)
• Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m.: Improv Workshop at Concession Branch (565 Concession St., Hamilton, ON)
• Thursday, May 23 at 5 p.m.: Playwriting Workshop at Westdale Branch (955 King St. W, Hamilton, ON)
• Friday, May 24 at 2 p.m.: Playing Shakespeare Workshop at Ancaster Branch (300 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, ON)
• Monday, May 27 at 6 p.m.: Hand-to-Hand Stage Combat Workshop at Red Hill Branch (695 Queenston Rd., Hamilton, ON)
• Saturday, June 1 at 2 p.m.: Hand-to-Hand Stage Combat Workshop at Turner Park Branch (352 Rymal Rd. E, Hamilton, ON)
• Monday, June 3 at 2 p.m.: Playwriting Workshop at Valley Park Branch (970 Paramount Dr., Stoney Creek, ON)
• Thursday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m.: Movement Workshop at Dundas Branch (18 Ogilvie St., Dundas, ON)
• Wednesday, June 19 at 5:30 p.m.: Playwriting Workshop at Central Branch (55 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON)
  

Stratford Public Library
19 St. Andrew Street, Stratford, ON

The Stratford Public Library will be offering a range of programming, starting with a sneak peek behind the curtains of the 2024 season. To learn more, please visit their website.

• Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m.: Stratford Festival Sneak Peek: A World Elsewhere
• Friday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Imagination Ignited PA Day. Join SPL and the Stratford Festival Stratford Festival for an InterACTive Theatre Workshop. It promises to be a creative, interactive, and fun PA Day! Morning program is for children up to age six. Afternoon program is for children aged 6 and up. However, all ages are welcome at both! These programs are free, with no registration required.

Thursday Theatre

Ever wonder about how the Stratford Festival operates from the other side of the curtain? Now is your chance to find out! Join us in July and August as we meet a musician, actor and director from this season's shows. Learn about the productions and have your questions answered! Seating is limited to 20, so register early to avoid disappointment!

• July 11 at 7 p.m.: Meet the Musician
• July 18 at 7 p.m.: Meet the Actor
• August 1 at 7 p.m.: Meet the Playwright

The Magic of Theatre

Join us every Thursday afternoon from 2 to 3 p.m. this summer to discover the magic of theatre. Creative activities, engaging games, and tons of fun await you with a different theme each week. This program is perfect for theatre fans from age 3 to 103!

• July 4 at 2 p.m.: Wardrobe and Costumes
• July 11 at 2 p.m.: Acting It Out
• July 18 at 2 p.m.: Music and Movement
• July 25 at 2 p.m.: Prop Building
• August 1 at 2 p.m.: Play Works
• August 8 at 2 p.m.: Star Party! Put on your glitz and glam to celebrate at a special party!