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02/01/2010
Festival establishes new director training program
The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is launching a formal program for director training, focusing on classical text. Named for the artistic director who oversaw the building of the Festival Theatre and presided over the company from 1956 to 1967, The Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction will begin in February 2010. “I have been very fortunate in my career to have had the mentorship and tutelage of key figures at significant points in my development,” says Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “One of these mentors was the incomparable master, Michael Langham. His insight into Shakespeare’s text, in conjunction with the music and movement of language, was influential not only on my work but on generations of Canadian theatre artists. “The Michael Langham Workshop will continue his tradition of mentorship in a risk-free environment that allows directors to develop their craft within the rich history and evolving artistry of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. With its inception, we make a serious commitment to the development of Canadian directors and, subsequently, to the future of classical theatre in Canada.” The program will be open to early- and mid-career directors who have some experience working with the classics but not at a theatre of the complexity and scope of the Festival. “The Festival is rich in artistic resources,” says General Director Antoni Cimolino. “It is crucial that we use these to develop future generations of theatre artists. The Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction, together with the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre, will allow us to train the actors and directors who will carry our traditions forward and contribute to the evolution of stagecraft in the 21st century. “Michael Langham is the artistic pater familias of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. His direction helped create the Festival as we know it today. His work – revolutionary in its simplicity – combines compelling story-telling, truthful acting and elegant movement, elements we hope to pass on to a new generation of directors.” A call for applications from directors interested in developing their skills with classical text will be sent out in the coming days and noted on the Festival website, www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com. Successful applicants will serve as assistant directors for the 2010 season. The Langham Workshop will be overseen by David Latham, the Festival’s Director of Theatre Training, and by Assistant Artistic Director Dean Gabourie. Participating directors will take part in existing classes in text, voice, movement and other disciplines regularly held by the Festival’s Theatre Training Department, as well as specialized classes taught by Mr. Latham and Festival coaches. Other instructors and visiting directors will be invited to lead master classes and lectures. There will also be opportunities for participants to direct a workshop production during the season. Participants will be paid a fee and will receive a travel and accommodation subsidy. Funding to support the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction has been provided by The Philip and Berthe Morton Foundation. The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2009 season runs until November 8, featuring Macbeth; West Side Story; Cyrano de Bergerac; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; The Importance of Being Earnest; Julius Caesar; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; Three Sisters; Bartholomew Fair; Ever Yours, Oscar; Phèdre; The Trespassers; Rice Boy; and Zastrozzi.
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