The Stratford Festival’s next artistic director is being called a rare combination of vision, experience, and leadership.
Jonathan Church, a dual Canadian-U.K. citizen considered to be one of the most respected figures in theatre, has been appointed to the position following an extensive global search.
Church was previously the artistic director of the U.K.'s Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Chichester Festival Theatre - a sister theatre to the Stratford Festival. He has directed more than 50 productions and his work as a producer and director has earned 45 Olivier Award nominations and 12 wins, 12 Evening Standard Award nominations and five wins, and six Tony Award nominations.
“It is a huge honour to be appointed as the artistic director of the Stratford Festival and to be taking the reins of this renowned company and its four unique theatres,” Church said in a statement released on Wednesday. "It is incredibly exciting to be joining an organization that is in such robust artistic and financial health, and I look forward to working alongside [current Artistic Director ]Antoni Cimolino, [Executive Director] Anita Gaffney, the festival team and its extended family of world-class artists, to build on this legacy and to create future adventures for audiences in its magical spaces.”
Church said he has regularly attended the Stratford Festival since 2008. He also directed the U.K. première of Timothy Findley’s Elizabeth Rex in 2002, which was commissioned by the Stratford Festival.
His Canadian director credits include The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I and II at the Princess of Wales in 2008; Singin’ in the Rain at the Princess of Wales Theatre in 2022; and 42nd Street at the Princess of Wales Theatre in 2023-24. As a producer, his Canadian productions include Pressure by David Haig, starring Kevin Doyle, at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 2023; and In Dreams, a musical featuring the songs of Roy Orbison, at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in 2023.
During his time with Chichester, Church notably doubled the theatre's audience and oversaw a £22-million redevelopment.
Stratford Festival's Board of Directors launched its search for a new artistic director after Cimolino announced that the 2026 season would be his last.
"The selection committee was unanimous in its decision, recognizing in Jonathan a rare combination of vision, experience and leadership. His remarkable journey through the theatre world seems to have been leading to this moment," said Board Chair David Adams.
Church has been signed for an initial five-year term. He officially assumes the role of artistic director on November 1, 2026 with his first season being the 2027 season.
