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RECURRING EVENTS
AN INSIDER LOOK AT THE 2025 SEASON
EVENT LISTINGS
PRIDE WEEK SCHEDULE
THE GUARDIAN AT STRATFORD
SEASON DEEP DIVE WEEK SCHEDULE
CBC IDEAS WEEK SCHEDULE
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE AT STRATFORD
GLOBAL THEATRE WEEK SCHEDULE
READERS AND WRITERS WEEK SCHEDULE
SCHOLARS AND EXPERTS WEEK SCHEDULE
EDUCATION WEEK SCHEDULE
GOBLINS AND THE ART OF THEATRE
DAYNA MANNING. PHOTOGRAPHY BY TERENCE GUI
RECURRING EVENTS
DANTE’S INFERNO: A FUSION OF TEXT, MUSIC AND THOUGHT PRESENTED BY DOPOLAVORO TEATRALE (DLT)
June August September
“Dante and Shakespeare divide the world between them. There is no third.” T.S. Eliot
This dynamic work of language, music and insight, commissioned by the Stratford Festival, promises to transport you into the heart of The Divine Comedy, one of Western literature’s most profound works. Spectators will be immersed in this creation by DLT, revelling in the musicality of medieval Italian spoken by Florentine artist Daniele Bartolini and enhanced with original music by renowned composer Andrea Gozzi. Guiding the experience is Dr. Donato Santeramo of Queen’s University. At the heart of the Inferno is Dante Alighieri—the Everyman, a middle-aged Florentine from the Middle Ages—and his descent into hell, where he comes to see the absurdity of life’s disappointments and the politics that have ripped his home city in two. From $39
Note: The spoken medieval Italian text will be surtitled in English.
For more information see PG 9, 18 and 19
MONDAY NIGHT
June–August
Whether you’ve heard them up in the Festival orchestra loft, down in the Avon pit or out front playing the fanfare, you know the immense talent of the musicians in the Stratford Festival Orchestra. Now hear them on stage in Lazaridis Hall in this exciting series of concerts! From $29
Support for Monday Night Music is generously provided by The Rotman Family Foundation.
For more information see PG 9, 13, 16, 17 and 18
PEER INTO THE PLAYBILL
Join us for engaging panels featuring special guests as they explore the themes and issues presented in the 2025 playbill. Artists, directors and scholars will share insights into the creative processes behind the productions and their relevance in today’s world. From $29 Support for Peer into the Playbill is generously provided by The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation.
For more information see PG 13, 14, 16, 18, 19 and 20
LOBBY TALKS
Join us for a lobby talk with Jonathan Ullyot as he refreshes your understanding of the characters and themes in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. This engaging event is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their appreciation of these epic tales in preparation for the 2025 production of Ransacking Troy Free/Pay-What-You-Can from $0
For more information see PG 17 and 19.
MEET THE FESTIVAL
Fun and informal Q&A sessions with Festival artists and staff. Free/Pay-What-You-Can from $0
For more information see PG 13, 16 and 19.
BACKSTAGE TOURS
Experience the magic behind the curtain! Each tour offers a different insider’s view, giving you a close-up look at the action of the season. From $35
For more information see PG 11, 16 and 19
SONG AND DANCE WORKSHOPS
Learn and perform step-by-step choreography and music from our 2025 musicals with artists from the show! Culminates in a Q&A. These 90-minute workshops are for all ages and require active participation. From $35
For more information see PG 13 and 16
Translation of Oedipus Rex by John Murrell
A Spontaneous Theatre Production, created by Rebecca Northan and Bruce Horak with Ellis Lalonde.
“Not everyone can juggle high drama and high lunacy with such skill and make it look so effortless and spontaneous.” —Calgary Herald
Following their highly acclaimed unconventional performance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth in 2023, the goblins will be making a triumphant return to the Meighen Forum in 2025. Taking on another roller-coaster theatrical classic, Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex, audiences can anticipate glorious drama with unearthly charm as the goblins are determined to delve deeper into the Dionysian degeneracy of the human race, dissecting the dithyrambic to offer up a cautionary tale of patricide, incest and eye-gouging comedy. From $55
For more information see PG 21 and 22–23
THE “IT” LIST
By Ben Thomas
Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino on some of the events he’s looking forward to experiencing at the Meighen Forum during the 2025 season.
For over a decade, the Meighen Forum has been a meeting place for artists, thought leaders and experts spanning industries. Icons from around the globe, such as Margaret Atwood and Adam Gopnik, converge in Stratford for speaker events and the Forum’s seven Themed Weeks. The latter are an embodiment of the Stratford Festival’s long-standing commitment to enriching audience understanding of the arts and humanities. Each week—Pride Week, Season Deep Dive Week, CBC Ideas Week, Global Theatre Week, Readers and Writers Week, Scholars and Experts Week, and new this season, Education Week—brings with it its own topics and experts. Between these and the dozens of other unique Forum events, what to choose can be daunting. To help, Forum founder and Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino shares a few standouts to get you started.
DANTE’S INFERNO: A Fusion of Text, Music and Thought
This fusion of text, music and insight was commissioned by Cimolino and features Dr. Donato Santeramo, who worked with Cimolino as both translator and dramaturg on Napoli Milionaria! and Grand Magic. The project was conceived by Daniele Bartolini of DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT) who will also read the text. “In Dante’s poem, we are taken on a ravishing journey that helps us understand the absurdity but also the great beauty of life,” says Cimolino. “This brilliant work from the medieval period has much to say about life today, and I’m confident the passion and talent of this trio will bring it to vibrant life.”
The Woman’s Voice with Patsy Rodenburg and What Does It Take to Train a Great Actor? with Patsy Rodenburg and Guests
Robust knowledge sharing is a staple element of the Meighen Forum. During September’s Scholars and Experts Week, Patsy Rodenburg, a worldleading expert in actor training, joins the Forum for two events to shed light on what she does and why. In the first event, Rodenburg speaks with Janine Pearson, former head of voice at the Festival, in an intimate conversation about Rodenburg’s career and book, The Woman’s Voice, which is described as the art of reclaiming the woman’s right to speak and discovering the inner voice. Pearson also moderates Rodenburg’s second event, What Does It Take to Train a Great Actor?, which includes Yvette Nolan, playwright of this season’s The Art of War, and others. The panel will focus on theatre training, looking at what has stayed the same and what has changed. Cimolino promises each event will “help us better understand the role of the voice, how to free it, and voice in performance.”
“A RAVISHING JOURNEY”
Second Chances: Shakespeare and Freud with Stephen Greenblatt
Stephen Greenblatt, general editor of The Norton Shakespeare and a professor at Harvard University, will be speaking about his new book Second Chances: Shakespeare and Freud Admiring Greenblatt for the “always illuminating and clear” way he shares his expertise, Cimolino is especially excited for Greenblatt’s event and the chance to join him on stage during Readers and Writers Week. As a veteran director of Shakespeare, including 2025 season’s The Winter’s Tale, Cimolino is clear about his trust in Greenblatt. “He is a scholar that I rely on constantly.”
Goblin:Oedipus
The final performances of the Meighen Forum season will include some familiar faces. The goblins return, and this time they’re taking a step further back in time to the days of Sophocles with Goblin:Oedipus. Cimolino is thrilled to welcome back the goblins to the Studio Theatre: “The goblins are not only entertaining; they’re actually quite illuminating.” Their work on stage, as Cimolino notes, uncovers ideas put forth by the original story. As the goblins engage with classic texts like Macbeth in 2023 or John Murrell’s translation of Oedipus Rex this season, they plunge into the humanity driving the narrative. According to Cimolino, the goblins don’t see things as humans; theirs is a “decidedly different point of view,” and that’s what makes it both enlightening and entertaining.
J UNE
PRIDE WEEK
June 9–15 10:30 a.m.–noon
Learn from award-winning 2SLGBTQ+ authors and guest speakers in these events curated and hosted by Canadian theatre power couple: author, playwright and actor Ann-Marie MacDonald, and former artistic director of both Nightwood Theatre and the English section of the National Theatre School of Canada, Alisa Palmer. From $29
THE QUEER FEMALE VOICE:
A CONVERSATION WITH EMMA DONOGHUE, CATHERINE HERNANDEZ AND ANN-MARIE MACDONALD
Lazaridis Hall
Saturday, June 14
Gain understanding from a panel of extraordinary female writers as they explore the question: Is there a distinct lesbian/queer female voice in writing? Through an engaging discussion moderated by Alisa Palmer, panelists will delve into how this voice manifests across various literary forms. Among the topics: Do a writer’s sexual orientation and experiences influence their work? What challenges do lesbian artists face, both internally and externally? Acclaimed author Emma Donoghue, known for her bestselling novel Room and its Academy Awardnominated adaptation, Catherine Hernandez, celebrated author, screenwriter and winner of the Canadian Screen Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Scarborough, and awardwinning author/playwright Ann-Marie MacDonald, come together to exchange personal experiences while examining representation and creativity in the literary world.
IN CONVERSATION WITH TEGAN AND SARA QUIN: MUSIC, LITERATURE AND ADVOCACY
Tom Patterson Theatre
Sunday, June 15
Join us for an exclusive interview event with Tegan and Sara Quin, Canadian icons and role models celebrated for their impactful contributions in music, literature and advocacy. Hosted by Ann-Marie MacDonald and Alisa Palmer, this conversation will dive into the sisters’ incredible career journey and personal stories. We’ll explore their efforts in advancing LGBTQ+ justice and equality through the Tegan and Sara Foundation, a powerful force raising funds and awareness for LGBTQ+ issues. This intimate conversation will be a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from Tegan and Sara about their passion, purpose and vision for a more inclusive world.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELUVIER ACOSTA
DANTE’S INFERNO: A FUSION OF TEXT, MUSIC AND THOUGHT
June 12–14
8–10 p.m. Lazaridis Hall More info PG 3 and 7
THE GUARDIAN AT STRATFORD
June 20–21 10:30 a.m.–noon
Lazaridis Hall
Join us as Chris Wiegand, stage editor for The Guardian, one of the world’s most respected and revered newspapers, returns for conversations about theatre and the arts around the globe. From $29
RE-IMAGINING SHAKESPEARE
Friday, June 20
Shakespeare’s characters, plotlines and language have proven timeless, giving artists and directors the freedom to explore various genres and eras. While there are traditionalists who strongly believe that Shakespeare should only be presented in period costumes with swords, others embrace the chance to connect with audiences through modern interpretations. Journalist Chris Wiegand, stage editor for The Guardian , talks with the Festival's Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino, and Chris Abraham, director of As You Like It , about the ongoing journey of reimagining the Bard’s work.
MONDAY NIGHT MUSIC LINAIRE: ANNA ATKINSON
ADAPTING ANNE
Saturday, June 21
Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved story has inspired numerous adaptations for stage and screen. But how does a playwright translate the essence of the written word into a dramatic form? Join The Guardian’s stage editor, Chris Wiegand, for a lively discussion with playwright and director Kat Sandler about the rich art of stage adaptation and the many things related to Anne.
Monday, June 23 7:30–9:30 p.m. Lazaridis Hall
Anna Atkinson performs songs from her experimental pop songwriting project, Linaire. Developed over the past eight years in her home of Montréal, the songs range from piano ballads to electronic sonic explorations using live effects processing and an instrument called the omnichord. The performance includes music from Atkinson’s 2020 self-titled album, as well as her most recent creations. A solo set will be followed by a rare full-band show featuring longtime collaborators Mike McClennan on bass, Graham Hargrove on drums and Ian Harper on sax. From $29
BOOK JACKET, L.M. MONTGOMERY, L.C. PAGE & COMPANY, BOSTON, 1908.
J ULY
SEASON DEEP DIVE WEEK
June 30–July 6
10:30 a.m.–noon
Lazaridis Hall
Join Festival artists and creatives for intimate conversations about the behind-thescenes work that goes into developing the sensational theatre experiences enjoyed by audiences throughout the season. From $29
COMPOSERS AND SOUND DESIGNERS FOR THE STAGE
Friday, July 4
Music is not just a core component for musicals. In plays, a cello underscore can evoke a sense of melancholy for a character, or a chorus of trumpets might announce an approaching royal entrance. From music to sound effects, the creative and technical work of composers and sound designers translates theatrical works into multi-sensory experiences. Theatre enthusiasts will delight in hearing professionals discuss their audio artistry, while they learn how the subtle tranquility of birds chirping off stage compared to the rattling a scene gets from a jackhammer thumping throughout it, is designed to contribute to overall storytelling.
HISTORY AND DESIGN OF SHAKESPEAREAN GARDENS
Saturday, July 5
Founding Artistic Director Tyrone Guthrie said, “The tent must have gardens around it. We don’t want people to think it’s a circus.” Since then, gardens have been a defining element of the Stratford Festival, drawing on a tradition of gardens stretching back to Shakespeare’s day. During a conversation with Stratford Festival Head Gardener Joelle Bulbrook, along with historians and scholars, audiences will be taken back through history to learn how this living art form has evolved from Elizabethan times through to the beauty of our Festival grounds.
UNDERSTANDING UNDERSTUDIES: THE VITAL ROLE OF UNDERSTUDIES IN THEATRE
Sunday, July 6
What is an understudy? What is a swing? This in-depth conversation will feature members of our acting and production teams sharing their own understudy stories. Learn about the discipline, dedication and commitment that allows these extraordinary artists to seamlessly step into a role, becoming the heroes who ensure that the show goes on.
BACKSTAGE TOURS
TOM PATTERSON THEATRE FESTIVAL THEATRE
July 3, 16, 24 10–11:30 a.m. 10–11:30 a.m.
More info PG 4
Immerse yourself in the award-winning architecture and tour our facility with the people who work backstage. Learn secrets from industry professionals and see how your season favourites have come together. From $35
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
July 4, 12, 18, 26
More info PG 4
From dressing room to rehearsal hall, learn behind-the-scenes secrets on this exclusive backstage tour led by members of our production team. Join us to discover all that goes into running a show at the Festival Theatre. From $35
THE WORDS OF WAR: A CHURCHILL & SHAKESPEARE CABARET | FEATURING GERAINT WYN DAVIES AND FRIENDS
Monday, July 7
7:30–9 p.m.
Studio Theatre
Join us for a captivating evening dedicated to exploring the life of Winston Churchill. Through conversation about the 2025 themes of war, love and harmony, which happened to define Churchill’s legacy, we will peel back the layers of the historical figure’s complex character. Curated and directed by Richard Ouzounian, this event promises an engaging blend of storytelling, music and insightful commentary, featuring a talented cast led by Geraint Wyn Davies (Autolycus in the 2025 season production of The Winter’s Tale) and friends.
Though Churchill was no saint, his journey as a leader was marked by triumphs and tribulations that share their DNA with Shakespearean drama. Peer into Churchill’s world through his own eyes, by way of speeches, diaries and letters, interwoven with the timeless verses of Shakespeare. The evening’s words will find joyful companionship in music hall songs and Gilbert & Sullivan—a true reflection of Churchill’s own love for the arts.
Enjoy reflection and laughter while gaining a deeper understanding of an iconic individual and the parallels between his pursuit of meaning and inspiration and that of Shakespeare’s. A truly unique exploration of history, literature and the human spirit! From $39
JULY
CBC IDEAS WEEK: WAR AND PEACE
July 7–13
10:30 a.m.–noon
Lazaridis Hall
CBC Ideas and host Nahlah Ayed return to the Forum for a new series of five in-depth and thought-provoking discussions. They will explore four pivotal attempts to make peace over the last three decades, and ask what we can learn from the best—and worst— thinking of the past. The series culminates in an exploration of what it takes to make peace in the fraught context of the 21st century. From $35
THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT
Wednesday, July 9
Over three sleepless nights in 1998–after years of failed negotiations–unionists and nationalists hammered out the final details of the Good Friday Agreement, bringing peace to Northern Ireland. It was a “masterclass in constructive ambiguity” that allowed different factions to hold on to core convictions while committing to resolve conflicts through peaceful means. Nahlah Ayed and guests discuss the agreement that’s still hailed as a gold standard for addressing intractable conflicts worldwide.
THE DAYTON ACCORDS
Friday, July 11
In 1995, rival Bosnian factions met in Dayton, Ohio, to negotiate a ceasefire to a brutal war and decide on a new border. Today, the agreement is still holding–but only just. Nationalist fervour, genocide denial and the ghosts of the past still threaten a fragile peace, and the Dayton Accords are remembered as “a synonym for inertia, neglect and despair.” Nahlah Ayed and guests consider the legacy of Dayton, the unresolved questions that remain today and the decision to pursue peace before justice.
THE OSLO ACCORDS
Thursday, July 10
When Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat met in Washington, D.C., in 1993 to sign the first Oslo Accords, it was supposed to usher in a new era of peace and lay the groundwork for a Palestinian state. But three decades later, the Oslo Accords are primarily remembered as a failure, and the dream of peace is farther away than ever. Nahlah Ayed and guests discuss what went wrong, and what lessons the Oslo Accords hold for the future.
PEACE, TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Saturday, July 12
In 1991, the National Peace Accords set a date for the first democratic election in South Africa and, controversially, promised some form of amnesty to perpetrators of apartheid crimes. They also paved the way for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that’s still praised as a model for healing–but according to Desmond Tutu, the process is “scandalously unfinished.” Nahlah Ayed and guests consider what other countries can learn from South Africa about dismantling injustice.
MAKING PEACE IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Sunday, July 13
What can we learn from the successes and failures of the past about how to create a more peaceful world, from Gaza to Ukraine and beyond? What ideas do Indigenous leaders in Canada bring to the work of peace and rebuilding? Nahlah Ayed and guests explore what peacemaking means in our own time, and try to chart a course for the future.
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS
10:30 a.m.–noon
SONG AND DANCE: ANNIE
SONG AND DANCE: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
July 10, 19 Festival Theatre Studio Theatre
More info PG 4
July 11, 20
More info PG 4
SPECIAL CONCERTS DAYNA MANNING: ALBUM RELEASE CONCERT
Monday, July 14
7:30–9:30 p.m.
Tom Patterson Theatre
Discover the newest melodies from Stratford’s beloved Junonominated singer-songwriter Dayna Manning, as she pushes the boundaries of her soaring voice and fingerpicking skills to new heights on her eighth studio album. Manning will be joined by some of Stratford’s finest musicians and her close friends. From $39
FREE FORUM MEET THE FESTIVAL
July 16, 23, 30
9:30–10:30 a.m. Lazaridis Hall
More info PG 4
PEER INTO THE PLAYBILL ORIGINS OF THE ORPHAN LITERARY TROPE
Thursday, July 17
10:30 a.m.–noon Lazaridis Hall
Dive into the inspiration behind Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and uncover the origins of Annie. A celebration of child protagonists in literature and beyond, the discussion brings together Professor Mavis Reimer from the University of Winnipeg and Professor Michelle Ann Abate from Ohio State University to explore the history and impact the stories have had on early 20th-century culture. Moderated by actor Laura Condlln. From $29
CELEBRATED SPEAKERS CELEBRATING OSCAR PETERSON AT 100
Friday, July 18
7:30–9 p.m.
Lazaridis Hall
Explore the life and career of the legendary Oscar Peterson. Blending performance video clips, intimate home movies and personal stories, the event sees special guests, including Kelly Peterson, delve into Oscar’s artistic journey. This celebration is part of the global festivities honouring Oscar Peterson’s 100th birthday in 2025. From $39
MONDAY NIGHT MUSIC GUITARS FROM THE PIT
Monday, July 21 7:30–9:30 p.m. Lazaridis Hall
Kevin Barrett, Terry McKenna, Dave Thompson and Michael McClennan have played in the “pit” orchestras for dozens of shows over several decades, both in Stratford and elsewhere. Hear what happens when they go “off book.” From $29
JULY
PEER INTO THE PLAYBILL
THE ART OF MOVEMENT AND CHOREOGRAPHY FOR THE STAGE
Thursday, July 24
10:30 a.m.–noon Lazaridis Hall
Join choreographer Stephanie Graham and dancer Sarah O’Brecht, co-founders of Theatre Making Movement, as they explore the vital role of movement in theatre. From a Shakespearean battle march to the iconic “Exit, pursued by a bear” in The Winter’s Tale, movement directors enhance physical storytelling and deepen emotional connections between actors and audiences. Discover how they choreograph movement beyond dance to elevate theatrical performances. From $29
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE AT STRATFORD
July 25–26
10:30 a.m.–noon Lazaridis Hall
Award-winning journalist and chief theatre critic for the Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, returns to the Meighen Forum to discuss the themes and ideas that resonate in our 2025 season. From $29
OUR FASCINATION WITH THE MORALLY CORRUPT
Friday, July 25
Why are we drawn to characters who lack kindness or place their egos above all else? Where do morals reside within a character? How do characters navigate the line between desire and necessity in a play? Join Theatre Critic Chris Jones for an engaging discussion with members of the acting company as they explore our love for hating villains.
JULY
LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE : FROM POEM TO MUSICAL
Saturday, July 26
Join us for an unforgettable dive into the world of Annie! From James Whitcomb Riley’s original poem to Harold Gray’s beloved 1924 comic strip and the hit musical that captured hearts everywhere, Annie’s transformation from page to stage is a remarkable journey through American pop culture. Don’t miss this exciting event where Chicago Tribune archivists and renowned theatre critic Chris Jones will discuss the stories and the fascinating evolution of an icon. Whether you’re an aspiring young performer or an Annie fan, this family-friendly event is your chance to discover the layers of history behind one of the most enduring characters in entertainment.
SPECIAL LOBBY TALK MARS: THE ASTROLOGICAL KEY TO MACBETH
Thursday, July 31
10:30 a.m.–noon Lazaridis Hall
Discover the hidden astrological influences woven into Shakespeare’s works! Renowned speaker and author Priscilla Costello, M.A., will illuminate how Shakespeare’s knowledge of astrology shaped his characters and inspired his storytelling. In this captivating talk, Costello reveals how an understanding of Mars brings new layers of meaning to Macbeth while exploring Venus’s sidelined role—and her pivotal presence in The Winter’s Tale. Join us for an eye-opening journey into the celestial symbolism of the Bard’s timeless creations. Free/Pay-What-You-Can from $0
AUGUST
GLOBAL THEATRE WEEK
August 4–10 10:30 a.m.–noon
Lazaridis Hall
This week will be a journey into the universality of theatre, culture and stories. Learn how theatre styles and stories are shared as they make their way around the world and live throughout time. From $29
ALL TOGETHER NOW: ENSEMBLE WORK FROM ANCIENT GREECE TO THE PRESENT
Friday, August 8
The chorus in ancient Greek theatre functioned as an intermediary between the action and the audience, providing plot points and asides, among other important narrative roles. In a panel discussion exploring the legacy of ensemble-based theatre, the evolution of dramatic arts will be traced from its early roots through to contemporary times by examining works including this season’s Ransacking Troy—itself a homage to the styles and stories of ancient times. Topics will span the creative processes behind ensembledriven performances, the dynamics of collaboration, the interplay of individual roles, as well as the thematic richness achieved with a unified approach to storytelling. Join director Jackie Maxwell and other distinguished artists and scholars for a discussion that promises to illuminate the enduring role of the chorus in theatre and its lasting influence on modern theatrical practices.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES IN JAPAN AND BEYOND
Saturday, August 9
Akage no An (Red-haired Anne) has been a mainstay on school curricula in Japan since the first Japanese language translation by Hanako Muraoka was written during WWII. The Japanese translation of this classic Canadian story is a testament to the way L.M. Montgomery’s novel resonates with not only audiences in Japan but readers around the world. Acclaimed author Jane Urquhart moderates a scholarly panel that explores the unique historical context of Muraoka’s translation and this beloved childhood classic.
WHO ARE WE? CANADIAN CULTURE ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
Sunday, August 10
Join us for an engaging panel discussion that examines Canadian cultural identity, exploring possible answers to questions such as, how do we define Canadian theatre and art? How exactly does our cultural mosaic influence this definition? Together, we’ll examine the interplay between our nation’s art and its identity, discussing how people’s differences shape their understanding of themselves and the importance of Canadian art showcasing diverse narratives on the stage, both locally and globally.
FREE FORUM MEET THE FESTIVAL
9:30–10:30 a.m. Lazaridis Hall August 6, 13, 20, 27
More info PG 4
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS SONG AND DANCE: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
Thursday, August 7
Studio Theatre
10:30 a.m.–noon
More info PG 4
MONDAY NIGHT MUSIC THE MUSICAL THEATRE WOODWIND DOUBLERS
7:30–9:30 p.m. Lazaridis Hall Monday, August 11
In a tradition that has evolved over the past 100 years, many reed players in pit orchestras are multi-disciplined multi-instrumentalists, a.k.a. doublers. Only a few players can fill out a wide range of stylistic and sonic capabilities in the woodwind family. Join Dennis Kwok and his quartet for a performance showcasing how four woodwind doublers magnificently jump from style to style and instrument to instrument to create the music you love on stage. From $29
BACKSTAGE TOURS 10–11:30 a.m. 10–11:30 a.m.
FESTIVAL THEATRE
August 13, 21
More info PG 4 and 11
August 14, 27
More info PG 4 and 11
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS SONG AND DANCE: ANNIE
Thursday, August 14
Festival Theatre
10:30 a.m.–noon
More info PG 4
An engaging exploration of storytelling as a transformative force with playwright Erin Shields, Professor Jill Carter and others. By tracing the origins of Greek epic poetry, the panel will discuss what ancient oral and written literature have to do with contemporary storytelling and explore the human impulse to share stories as a way of understanding the world. Conversation will consider the evolutions of storytelling with a look at writings including Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, alongside performances such as Ransacking Troy. Expect a thoughtful look at how narratives shape our understanding of culture and enduring myth. From $29 PEER INTO THE PLAYBILL
Thursday, August 14 10:30 a.m.–noon Lazaridis Hall
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD: WHEN VETERANS RETURN HOME
Saturday, August 16 10:30 a.m.–noon Lazaridis Hall
In partnership with the True Patriot Love Foundation, Canada’s national foundation for the military community, and the Creative Warrior program, this panel discussion examines the re-integration of military personnel into civilian life—a journey Joseph Campbell describes as “crossing the return threshold.” Join Donna Betts, co-chair of the True Patriot Love Military Creative Arts Program, and Namita Joshi, chief program officer at True Patriot Love Foundation, along with artists and veterans, as they discuss the challenges of this transition and the healing power of creative arts in addressing the mental and physical impacts of war. The conversation will be moderated by company member Graham Abbey (Banquo and Leontes in the 2025 productions of Macbeth and The Winter’s Tale). Free/Pay-What-You-Can from $0
LOBBY TALKS THE ILIAD AND THE ODYSSEY
Sunday, August 17
Lazaridis Hall
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
More info PG 4
MONDAY NIGHT MUSIC MUSICAL BRIDGES
Monday, August 18
7:30–9:30 p.m.
Lazaridis Hall
Saturday, August 23
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Derek Kwan and Terry McKenna, two Festival artists, have a wide range of musical interests, spanning from opera and rock to Renaissance and Baroque classical music and traditional Chinese music. A virtual collision of music genres, the combination of these two performers in a space has given way to an intimate musical conversation that transcends time, culture, genre, style, language and convention. Kwan and McKenna explore juxtapositions and unexpected confluences from a variety of repertories, including the European Renaissance, ancient China and the present day, using an assortment of traditional and historic instruments, including the erhu, shakuhachi, lute, guitar and human voice. Join these two artists as they discover resonances and echoes from distant places and pasts, forging a new sound and musical language. From $29
AUGUST
READERS AND WRITERS WEEK
Lazaridis Hall August 18–24 10:30 a.m.–noon
The Meighen Forum brings together celebrated literary scholars, authors and artists to lead conversations on plays of this season. From $29
ON JANE AUSTEN AND LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY
Friday, August 22
Acclaimed Canadian author Jane Urquhart hosts a conversation about the creative journeys of iconic authors Jane Austen and Lucy Maud Montgomery. Born nearly a century apart, these trailblazing writers share striking parallels in their lives and works, defying societal norms by prioritizing their literary careers over traditional paths. Whether a longtime admirer of Austen’s keen social commentary found in Sense and Sensibility, or enthralled by the relatable characters in Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, this discussion will illuminate the connections between two literary pioneers.
SECOND CHANCES: SHAKESPEARE AND FREUD WITH STEPHEN GREENBLATT
Saturday, August 23
Renowned Shakespeare scholar, general editor of The Norton Shakespeare and Harvard University Professor Stephen Greenblatt speaks with Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino in commemoration of Greenblatt’s new book, Second Chances: Shakespeare and Freud about how “Shakespeare was the supreme virtuoso of the second chance and Freud was its supreme interpreter.”
AUGUST
FORGIVENESS: A GIFT FROM MY GRANDPARENTS WITH MARK SAKAMOTO
Sunday, August 24
Winner of Canada Reads 2018, Mark Sakamoto comes to the Meighen Forum stage to discuss his celebrated memoir, Forgiveness: A Gift From My Grandparents. This candid interview with Sakamoto explores intergenerational narratives, the power of healing, the strength of family and how his story has been adapted for the stage by Hiro Kanagawa.
PEER INTO THE PLAYBILL
RE: LETTERS AND EPISTOLARY NOVELS
Thursday, August 21 10:30 a.m.–noon
Lazaridis Hall
Explore the history of letter writing with a look at its rise and how it transformed society, paving the way for the epistolary novel, a novel written in the form of letters, as in Les Liaisons dangereuses. Playwright Sir Christopher Hampton and this season's Marquise de Merteuil, Jessica B. Hill lead an exploration of the psychology behind our communication tastes. From $29
MONDAY NIGHT MUSIC LARRY’S JAZZ GUYS
Monday, August 25
Lazaridis Hall
7:30–9:30 p.m.
Larry Larson and his “Guys” return for a wonderful night of jazz stylings new and old, sharing great classics in the jazz canon, plus some surprising spins with some newer gems! From $29
DANTE’S INFERNO: A FUSION OF TEXT, MUSIC AND THOUGHT
August 28–30 8–10 p.m.
Lazaridis Hall More info PG 3 and 7
SEPTEMBER
9:30–10:30 a.m. Lazaridis Hall September 10, 17, 24 FREE FORUM MEET THE FESTIVAL
PATTERSON THEATRE FESTIVAL THEATRE
Thursday, September 11
More info PG 4 and 11 10:30 a.m.–noon Lazaridis Hall
More info PG 4 and 11
8–10 p.m. Lazaridis Hall September 11–13 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lazaridis Hall Thursday, September 18 More info PG 4 More info PG 3 and 7 More info PG 4
DANTE’S INFERNO: A FUSION OF TEXT, MUSIC AND THOUGHT
THE NEW YORK POST AT STRATFORD A CONVERSATION ON TRAGICOMEDY WITH ANTONI CIMOLINO
Saturday, September 13 10:30 a.m.–noon Lazaridis Hall LOBBY TALKS THE ILIAD AND THE ODYSSEY PEER INTO THE PLAYBILL
“Exit, pursued by a bear” is arguably one of the most famous stage directions in Shakespeare, even more so when one considers that bears were extinct in Britain and much of western and northern Europe at the time The Winter’s Tale was written. This panel discussion includes scholars from both the Shakespearean and environmental perspectives who will consider what bears would have meant to the Elizabethan audience and discuss the broader context of animal metaphors in Shakespeare. From $29
Join Johnny Oleksinski, entertainment critic for the New York Post, for a conversation with Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino as they examine the fascinating interplay of humour and pathos in Shakespeare’s works. Together, they will explore the essence of tragicomedy and discuss how this unique combination of laughter and sorrow contributes to a rich and engaging theatrical experience. From $29
SCHOLARS AND EXPERTS WEEK
September 15–21 10:30 a.m.–noon
Lazaridis Hall
This week sees two internationally recognized female leaders in their fields visit the Meighen Forum to engage in conversation with the Festival’s own voice and theatre experts. From $29
THE WOMAN’S VOICE WITH PATSY RODENBURG
Patsy Rodenburg is a world-leading expert on actor training and author of renowned works such as The Right to Speak, Speaking Shakespeare and The Second Circle. Her most recent work, The Woman’s Voice, is a “call to arms for women to reclaim their voices” and “decipher what lies at the heart of female empowerment.” Join us as Rodenburg visits the Forum for an intimate interview with the Stratford Festival’s former long-standing head of voice, Janine Pearson, about her work and book with which she “defines the art of accessing the voice within and reclaiming the woman’s right to speak.” *
SEPTEMBER
THE WOMAN’S BODY WITH DR. JEN GUNTER
Friday, September 19
Saturday, September 20
She’s been called “Twitter’s resident gynecologist, the Internet’s OB/GYN, and one of the fiercest advocates for women’s health.” Winnipeg-born and internationally renowned physician Dr. Jen Gunter has authored New York Times bestsellers such as The Menopause Manifesto, The Vagina Bible and Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation, and arrives in Stratford ready to join Festival veteran artist Maev Beaty for a frank and honest conversation about women’s health and bodies.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO TRAIN A GREAT ACTOR? WITH PATSY RODENBURG AND GUESTS
Sunday, September 21
Director of the Stratford Festival’s Birmingham Conservatory Janine Pearson moderates a panel including renowned expert on voice and Shakespeare, Patsy Rodenburg, as well as Yvette Nolan, playwright of this season’s The Art of War and director of 2023’s Women of the Fur Trade, and others. This esteemed panel will discuss theatre training, examining what has changed and what remains the same. *
* Support for Patsy Rodenburg at The Meighen Forum is generously provided by Priscilla Costello.
PEER INTO THE PLAYBILL CREATING ART DURING WAR
Thursday, September 25
10:30 a.m.–noon Lazaridis Hall
Why were artists sent into warzones? Inspired by The Art of War, this event sees scholars and historians discuss the history of embedded artists—such as A.Y. Jackson of the Group of Seven during WWI—spanning from painters to photojournalists. Examining how art can represent war’s complexities, the conversation will contemplate the profound impact of creativity in the face of conflict. From $29
PATSY RODENBURG
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
More
EDUCATION WEEK
October 20–26
Lazaridis Hall
The benefits of arts education have been well proven. At the Festival, we know the immediate and lasting benefits of arts learning experiences, individually and communally. Yet equitable access to meaningful arts curriculum is diminishing, inside and outside the classroom. Education Week celebrates and advocates for arts education, centring the perspectives of young people and those who care about them: teachers, parents, policymakers. Join us and explore all things teaching and learning in arts education. For more information and a full schedule of events, see: www.stratfordfestival.ca/landingpages/EducationWeek
WE NEED A SOCIAL PRESCRIPTION FOR THE ARTS!
10:30 a.m.–noon
Thursday, October 23
Moving beyond the idea of the arts as individually meaningful to collectively transformative, join company member Mark Uhre, Director, EDI for Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment Christian Blake and eye surgeon and playwright Arun Lakra as they explore the proven impact of arts experiences in social, physical and communal wellness. From $29
WHAT THE THEATRE TAUGHT ME: ADAM GOPNIK AND SPECIAL GUEST
4:30–6 p.m.
Friday, October 24
Join celebrated essayist, scholar and critic Adam Gopnik, and a special guest, in an intimate conversation about the cultivation of hope among young people through arts engagement and the significant role of theatres such as the Stratford Festival in fostering the imagining of possible futures. From $29
THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE ARTS IN EDUCATION
10:30 a.m.–noon
Saturday, October 25
Why are we still fighting for arts education to matter in schools? Join Kathleen Gallagher, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a distinguished professor at the University of Toronto, and Karen Gilodo, associate artistic director at Young People’s Theatre, Canada’s oldest and largest theatre dedicated to young people, in a discussion about how to surmount the decades-long barriers with regard to equitable arts-based learning access within our education systems. From $29
ENTER THE
When creatures from the dark force themselves into the world of oedipus rex, Sophocles’s harrowing play finds new shades of humanity … and humour. By Ben Thomas
“‘You will defile and sicken your own land, your own blood!’ This is Apollo's assurance!”
And so develops the plot of the Greek tragedy famed for introducing a hero archetype bound to an inescapable destiny and the inevitable undoing it prophesizes. A fate not unlike that of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the title character in the first play Stratford audiences enjoyed retold with goblins in leading roles. That’s right, goblins—on stage.
The plight of fighting what is written in the stars is something of a carrot for theatre artist Rebecca Northan. When considering plays for possible goblin adaptation, it’s fairly easy to understand the attraction of stories centred on struggles against what can feel unchangeable. This experience— while varied for every individual—is a tale of humanity interwoven within all our lives, making it ultimately relatable and, in that way, a curiosity to beings new to humankind, such as goblins.
Through reimagining archetypal narratives with so-called monsters from the underworld inserted into the drama, new layers of meaning are uncovered through inhuman eyes—meaning discovered through intended purpose and storytelling by Northan, along with fellow goblin
Gcollaborators Bruce Horak and Ellis Lalonde. “We’re interested in reframing misbehaviour and questioning ‘why’ something is considered a ‘classic’ in human terms.”
The Meighen Forum invited this trio of artists from Spontaneous Theatre to the Festival’s Studio stage in 2023 for a sold-out run of Goblin:Macbeth. Applauded by critics, our audiences filled seats and even returned for multiple performances to see what the Toronto Star called “clever, funny, and dramatically thrilling” during its recent run last fall at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre. Along with stops in Toronto, Northan, Horak and Lalonde have travelled with their not-so-classic Shakespearean drama to locations including the Shakespeare Company in Calgary, Bard on the Beach in Vancouver and Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. We caught up with Northan to learn more about how the artistic producer of Spontaneous Theatre and co-creator of Goblin:Oedipus first decided to step further back in time—from Shakespeare to ancient Greece—in search of new material and what Meighen Forum audiences can expect from the eye-gouging comedy the goblins are scraping their way into next.
OBLINS
Q. What inspired the shift from Shakespeare to Sophocles?
REBECCA: The audience. At the end of a performance of Goblin:Macbeth, one of the goblins suggested that perhaps their next foray into theatre should be Oedipus, and the audience erupted! Since our work is grounded in taking care of and pleasing the audience, we continued to suggest this at the end of each performance, and the results were resounding. Audience demand leads us to the ancient Greeks!
Q. Now that they’re in ancient Greece, what do you think the goblins can bring to the retelling of this play, and how does this differ from what the Festival has unlocked in its five previous productions?
REBECCA: [This year’s] goblins will bring themselves to the production; they come with no preconceptions about the story and they are full of mischief and curiosity.
Q. For those audiences who loved Goblin:Macbeth, what elements of your new production will excite and entertain?
REBECCA: Our work has no “fourth wall.” That is to say, there is always some element of direct contact with the audience. In Goblin:Macbeth we asked the audience to lend themselves to the production as members of the English army, to great effect! It was thrilling to hear the sound of all those people thunderously “marching” in their seats! In Oedipus, we continue our conversation with the audience. The goblins will honour Dionysus, god of wine and theatre, by making their performance a
competition between the actors, judged by the audience. We will also invite 12 willing participants to join us on stage as a traditional Greek chorus, complete with masks and togas.
Q. The last time the goblins were at Stratford, they used Macbeth to try and learn something about humanity and the practice of theatre itself. What are they looking to learn with Oedipus?
REBECCA: The goblins are quite naive when it comes to humans and the notion of doing theatre. In Macbeth, on some level, they learned about humans’ desire for power and the consequences of blind ambition, but more importantly, they learned that the act of telling a story in community does something for an audience—it unites us. They see this as a very powerful magic worth further investigation.
Q. How does that translate to the dive into Oedipus?
REBECCA: With the Greeks, they begin to wrap their minds around the notion of “theatre as ritual” and they are intrigued by the honouring of Dionysus.
Q. What do you see as the draw of your productions for theatre buffs? What about theatre newbies?
REBECCA: Perhaps the extreme theatre buff is delighted to see mask work return to the mainstream? We tell ourselves we have to “earn the right” to poke fun at things by raising the bar of our own practice. For newbies, we want to take away any sense of preciousness that might surround some of these old chestnuts.
MEet yoU at ThE FoRUM!
JUNE
SEASON DEEP DIVE WEEK
CBC IDEAS WEEK THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE AT STRATFORD
PRIDE WEEK
THE GUARDIAN AT STRATFORD
DANTE’S INFERNO
JULY
From curated events to celebrity guests, the Meighen Forum fulfills its promise as a place to discover and delight in conversation and creative expression.
AUGUST OCTOBER
GLOBAL THEATRE WEEK READERS AND WRITERS WEEK
DANTE’S INFERNO
DANTE’S INFERNO THE NEW YORK POST AT STRATFORD SCHOLARS AND EXPERTS WEEK
GOBLIN:OEDIPUS
SEPTEMBER
GOBLIN:OEDIPUS EDUCATION WEEK
NOVEMBER
2025 Season Sponsor: Ophelia Lazaridis
Proud Season Partners: BMO Financial Group, Canada Life and RBC
COVER: PHOTOGRAPHY BY TED BELTON