Free talks and workshops related to the 2026 season will be hosted by the Toronto, London, and Stratford Public Libraries and Friends of the McGill Libraries on various dates in 2026.
Lectures are non-ticketed events. Some workshops require pre-registration through the host library. See below for more information.
McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics, the McGill Department of English and the Friends of the McGill Libraries in Partnership with the Stratford Festival
In the face of social, environmental, and political upheaval, we bring Shakespeare's Macbeth forward as a lens through which to explore the convergence of art, science, tech, and human experience. We will invite you to journey with Lady Macbeth across languages, cultures and life courses, illuminating the dimensions of trauma, healing and transformation, be it in individuals or social systems. By engaging artists, scholars, scientists and entrepreneurs in dialogue, the workshop aims to catalyze new ways of both reimagining Shakespeare and remaking world systems in working toward the enhanced well-being of people, communities, nations and the planet.
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST
Location: Donald E Armstrong Building, Room 365/370 or online
Admission: FREE (limit of two tickets/person)
Learn more about the panels and presenters
Register to attend in person or online
A link will be sent to those who register for online attendance.
In-person at McGill University and online (hybrid)
Donald E. Armstrong Building, Room 365/370
A link will be sent to those who register for online attendance
Wednesday, January 28 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The Stratford Festival and
Friends of the McGill Libraries are delighted to partner once again to present the
2026 annual Shakespeare Lecture with renowned actress Lucy Peacock; along with Laurette Dubé, Scientific Director of the McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics; Maiya Geddes, an FRSQ neurologist scientist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University; and Paul Yachnin, Tomlinson Professor of Shakespeare Studies at McGill.
Register to attend in person or online
789 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON
All lectures begin at 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 10: Othello with Prof. Misha Teramura, Assistant Professor, English, University of Toronto
- Tuesday, March 17: A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Prof. Jane Freeman, Director, Graduate Centre for Academic Communication, University of Toronto
- Tuesday, March 24: Waiting for Godot with Dr. Philippa Sheppard, Lecturer, English, University of Toronto
- Tuesday, March 31: The Tempest with Dr. Deanne Williams, Professor, English, York University
251 Dundas Street, London, ON
Unleash your creativity at Stratford Festival’s hands-on theatre workshops facilitated by professional teaching artists. Wear comfortable clothing. Enter a draw to win 2 free tickets to a show of your choosing!
Register online, in person, or by calling 519-661-4600. Two hours of free parking at Citi Plaza is available. Pick up a parking voucher from the main desk at Central Library.
- Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m.: Audition Toolkit
- Thursday, May 14 at 7 p.m.: Performing Shakespeare
- Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m.: Sound Effects
- Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m.: Song & Dance