BREAKING NEWS: Antoni Cimolino named Stratford Artistic Director

Antoni Cimolino (courtesy Stratford Festival)

In a widely expected move, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Board of Governors has named Antoni Cimolino as Artistic Director to replace the outgoing AD Des McAnuff. Cimolino is the company's present General Director (he was appointed to that post in 2006). 


Cimolino, a respected actor and director (and contributor to The Charlebois Post - Canada) seemed the only logical choice for the company: he is Canadian, he has experience dealing with the unwieldy company's finances, board and contributors, and he has continued to work directly in theatre (helping the company's production of Grapes of Wrath last year, their Cymbeline this upcoming season, and coming off a well-reviewed production of Enron at Theatre Calgary).


He made his debut with the company as an actor in 1988, subsequently performing - notably - as Romeo to Megan Follow's Juliet in 1992.


Cimolino will take over the reins fully next season - one which he will have designed himself. McAnuff will direct for the company in 2013. McAnuff was awarded a Governor General's Performing Arts Award this week. (GLC)


Read the Stratford Press Release: