Stafford Arima - Being an Artistic Director

Tits and Teeth Podcast

Stafford Arima is the artistic director of Theatre Calgary in Alberta Canada, a title he wasn't necessarily seeking, but, when the opportunity came his way, Stafford took his own words to heart; 'if a door opens, one should at least peek inside' and thus began his journey towards artistic directorship.

This season, T+T Productions has collaborated with the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers (CGDC) to bring you a series of episodes centred around assistants and associates directors and choreographers. In today's episode Stafford cracks open what it means to be an artistic director. He shares stories on how to collaborate and engage with the community, take care of the 'business of show', and grow with the position.
Stafford is an award-winning director for both stage and screen. Born in Toronto, Canada, he moved to New York to pursue his career, and now resides in Calgary, Alberta where he sits as artistic director of Theatre Calgary since 2017. Some of his New York credits include: Allegiance (Longacre Theatre), Ragtime: 25 Anniversary Concert (Minskoff Theatre), The Secret Garden: In Concert (David Geffen Hall), Carrie (Lucille Lortel Theater), Altar Boyz (Dodger Stages). Additional credits include: Bhangin’ It (La Jolla Playhouse), Poster Boy (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Dial M For Murder (The Old Globe), and Ragtime (Paper Mill Playhouse / Piccadilly Theatre)—the West End premiere earning 8 Olivier Award nominations.

Thank you to Canada Council for the Arts for their generous support in this project.