Stratford Shakespeare Festival Archives, Stratford, Ontario

[Francesca Marini]

Anyone interested in theatre practice and research is invited to consider the resources offered by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival Archives (Stratford, Ontario). The Festival (www.stratfordfestival.ca) is the leading classical repertory theatre in North America. Its productions cover a range of periods and genres, from Greek theatre to the work of contemporary Canadian and international playwrights. The Festival is of course renown for its productions of Shakespeare's works, and is also a leader in musical theatre (production history at: http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/about/history.aspx?id=1178).

The Archives is an active department of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and is open to the public (year-round, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm).The Archives houses records and artifacts representing all aspects of production and administration at the Festival, dating back to the Festival's first season (1953). The Archives houses all types of materials, including records from all departments, photos, video recordings of productions (from 1968 on), a great array of sound and audiovisual material dating back to 1953, press clippings, promptbooks, design sketches, design bibles, costumes, accessories, masks, props, set pieces, maquettes (set models), plans, etc. Very few in-house performing arts archives are as complete as the Stratford Shakespeare Festival Archives.

Materials are delivered to Archives throughout the year, and the Archives is at all effects fully part of the Festival’s day to day activities, and its holdings are always up to date. The Archives is one of the world’s largest and most complete institutional performing arts archives. Under the new Archives Director, Dr. Francesca Marini, the Archives is undergoing a thorough renovation and re-organization. Currently, over two thousand users and visitors come to the Archives every year. Everyone is welcome and no appointment is necessary, although it is always advisable to call ahead of time if you are coming from out of town. While our holdings are not yet accessible in digital form, we will be able to assist you remotely with your research and provide you with selected copies (within the limitations due to Canadian Actors' Equity Association's regulations, and to privacy and confidentiality concerns; http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/about/history.aspx?id=69).

The Archives is engaged in several projects, including the recent release of the documentary "The Building of the Festival Theatre," directed by Dr. Gilmore in 1956-1957.

The Archives is open to individuals and groups, for research and visits. We have a large display area that changes every year and showcases props, costumes, stage set models, scenery and other items from current and past productions. The Archives is also opening an exhibition space in downtown Stratford in April 2012: the 2012 exhibition is dedicated to "60 Years of Theatre: Treasures from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival."


Dr. Francesca Marini
Archives Director

Stratford Shakespeare Festival
55 Queen Street | PO Box 520 | Stratford ON | N5A 6V2
Toll Free 1.800.561.1233 | Local 519.271.4040 x 4301
Box Office: Toll Free 1.800.567.1600 | Local 519.273.1600
www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com<http://www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com/>

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2011 Season | The Merry Wives of Windsor | Camelot | Twelfth Night | The Misanthrope
The Grapes of Wrath | Jesus Christ Superstar | The Homecoming | Richard III | Titus Andronicus
Shakespeare’s Will | The Little Years | Hosanna
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