Jonathan Church named next artistic director of Stratford Festival

Jonathan Church, a dual U.K.-Canada citizen, will take on the role of Artistic Director in November 2026. (Courtesy: Stratford Festival)

It’s the beginning of a new era for the Stratford Festival.

The theatre company has appointed Jonathan Church as its next artistic director.

Church, a dual U.K.-Canada citizen, will take on the role in November 2026 after completing his current commitments in Britain. He will serve as artistic director designate starting next year and program his first season for 2027.

The appointment follows the departure of longtime artistic director Antoni Cimolino, who announced earlier this year he would step down after the 2026 season, marking the end of a decades-long career with the Stratford Festival.

Church has directed and produced more than 50 productions in the U.K. and internationally, with his work earning dozens of Olivier, Evening Standard and Tony Award nominations. He previously served as artistic director at the Chichester Festival Theatre, a sister thrust-stage venue to Stratford, where he oversaw a major redevelopment and expanded audiences. He is currently the director of Jonathan Church Theatre Productions, part of Trafalgar Entertainment Group.

The Stratford Festival board said Church was selected unanimously, citing his repertory experience, reputation and ability to “balance artistic ambition with popular appeal.”

In a statement, Church called the role an honour and said he looked forward to building on Cimolino’s legacy, describing the festival as “in robust artistic and financial health.”

Cimolino, who was not part of the search process, endorsed the decision, saying he had long admired Church’s work.

“Jonathan is a trusted colleague of more than 20 years, and I have long admired his beautiful productions and brilliant accomplishments at numerous companies, including our sister thrust stage theatre the Chichester Festival,” Cimolino said in a media release. “I wish him and the festival enormous success.”

Executive Director Anita Gaffney said it’s an exciting new time for the festival.

“Extraordinary artistic leadership has been a hallmark of the Stratford Festival throughout its history,” a statement read in part. “Our current Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino, has achieved great things and now is carefully setting the stage for this new act to begin. I am eager to see the heights Jonathan will attain and to support him in achieving those heights.”

Church has worked in Canada on several productions over the past two decades, including Singin’ in the Rain at Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre in 2022 and 42nd Street in 2023-24.

He has been signed to an initial five-year term at Stratford.