March 30, 2020 at 12:45pm (Cancelled due to COVID-19)  

Belfry@UVic

with Glynis Leyshon & Michael Shamata

Join 1979 Director: Glynis Leyshon (one of Canada’s most respected opera and theatre directors) & Belfry Artistic Director Michael Shamata in discussion. Glynis Leyshon is one of Canada’s most respected opera and theatre directors. 1979 by Michael Healey is a sharp comedy about backroom politics.

Glynis Leyshon  

Glynis has had a celebrated career in the arts for may years. She is known across Canada for her work with various Opera houses, none more acclaimed than her work with Pacific Opera Victoria. She had directed at companies across North America including, but not limited to, the Shaw Festival, Alberta Theatre Projects, Theatre Calgary, and the National Arts Center. Glynis is a recipient of the 2016 University of Victoria Distinguished Alumni Award and of Canada’s Commonwealth Medal for her contributions to the arts.

Michael Shamata

Michael is Artistic Director of Victoria’s Belfry Theatre.  An award-winning director, he has created productions at most of Canada’s major theatres, including the Stratford Festival, Canadian Stage, Citadel Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, and Vancouver Playhouse.  Also a writer, his adaptation and production of A Christmas Carol at Soulpepper is a Toronto tradition.  Michael is the former Artistic Director of Theatre New Brunswick and the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario.  He has served as Vice-President of PACT, as an Actors’ Equity Council member, and as Chair of the Jury for the Governor General’s Award for English Language Drama.