Stratford Festival Appoints New Artistic Director

The Stratford Festival has appointed Jonathan Church as its new artistic director, signaling a significant development for the renowned organization. Church, a 58-year-old British theatre director and producer, is expected to bring his extensive experience to one of North America’s premier theatre companies.

Background on Jonathan Church

Jonathan Church gained prominence while leading the Chichester Festival Theatre in England from 2006 to 2015. His contributions to British theatre earned him recognition as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2015. Church has dual citizenship in the U.K. and Canada, thanks to his Canadian mother.

Professional Experience

• Directed acclaimed productions like Macbeth featuring Patrick Stewart, which moved to West End and Broadway.
• Founded Jonathan Church Productions and Jonathan Church Theatre Productions.
• Worked on notable productions in Toronto, such as Singin’ in the Rain (2022) and 42nd Street (2023-24).

Term and Responsibilities

Church’s initial contract with the Stratford Festival spans five years. His tenure will commence officially on November 1, 2026, after he serves as artistic director designate alongside outgoing director Antoni Cimolino. During this period, he will familiarize himself with the festival’s operations and detach from ongoing projects of his production companies.

Programming for 2027

As the new artistic director, Church will be responsible for programming the 2027 season. His expertise with thrust stage productions, which closely resembles the Stratford Festival’s setup, positions him well for this role. The festival boasts three thrust stages and one proscenium theatre, enabling a unique audience experience.

Search Process for Artistic Director

The search for the new artistic director involved a global recruitment effort, attracting 101 applicants. The selection process, led by a diverse nine-member committee, culminated in interviews with three final candidates. Notably, two finalists were Canadian citizens, with Church prevailing due to his vast international connections and experience in managing complex theatre organizations.

Challenges and Future Plans

Church’s brief tenure at Sydney Theatre Company raised some concerns among the committee, but they concluded that he was not set up to succeed there. He expressed his commitment to integrating deeply into the Stratford community and emphasized the exciting opportunity to contribute to the festival.

Conclusion

Jonathan Church describes his new role as “a bit like coming home.” His extensive background in theatre, combined with his passion for the arts, positions him as a valuable asset for the Stratford Festival. As he prepares to embark on this new journey, the festival and its audience eagerly await his innovative contributions.