Restaging the Classics will tackle the tall task of responsible reimagining. How can we continue to stage iconic and classic tales rife with problematic and antiquated ideas? That is the very question our panel of theatrical experts seeks to answer.
Beck Llyod (moderator) holds an MFA in Performance from York University and teaches acting, text and Shakespeare across Ontario. She is a graduate of the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre and is currently performing in The Miser & Richard iii in her third season at the Stratford Festival. She moderated its much-watched Youtube panel, “Black Like Me: Behind The Stratford Festival Curtain”, and created, “And Introducing…”, a groundbreaking eight-episode series with Stratfest@Home. Beck also works closely with the Stratford Festival’s education department and creates Shakespeare educational outreach tools and videos for organizations including The Hamilton Public Library. In addition to acting and education, Beck has a recent and exciting publication in the Canadian Theatre Journal, and will be directing Romeo and Juliet with Toronto theatre company Shakespeare in Action this fall.
Kimberley Rampersad is a theatre artist, born and raised in Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba. As an actor she has appeared in various theatres across Canada including Mirvish, RMTC, Stratford and Shaw. As a director, Kimberley was featured in the New York Times in July 2022 for her production of Rabindranath Tagore’s Chitra and in July 2019 for directing a full- length production of Bernard Shaw’s Man and Superman, both at the Shaw Festival. She recently made her directorial debut at the Stratford Festival with Serving Elizabeth by Marcia Johnson. She was the recipient of the 2017 Gina Wilkinson Prize for an emerging female director (Ontario Arts Foundation). Kimberley is currently the Associate Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
Paul Yachnin, Tomlinson Professor of Shakespeare Studies at McGill University, has published widely on early modern literature and culture. He was Director of the project, Early Modern Conversions (2013-2019). Among his publications are the books, Stage-Wrights and The Culture of Playgoing in Early Modern England (with Anthony Dawson), editions of Richard II and The Tempest, and edited books such as Making Publics in Early Modern Europe and Forms of Association. He publishes non-academic essays about Shakespeare and modern life, including titles such as “Alzheimer’s Disease: What would Shakespeare Do?” and “Tragedy as a Way of Life.”
Reneltta Arluk is an Inuvialuit, Dene and Cree mom from the Northwest Territories. She is founder of Akpik Theatre, a northern focussed professional Indigenous Theatre company. Raised by her grandparents on the trap-line until school age, this nomadic environment gave Reneltta the skills to become the multi-disciplined artist she is now. For nearly two decades, Reneltta has taken part in or initiated the creation of Indigenous Theatre across Canada and overseas. Under Akpik Theatre, Reneltta has written, produced, and performed various works creating space for Indigenous led voice. Current works include Pawâkan Macbeth, a Plains Cree takeover of Macbeth written by Arluk on Treaty 6 territory. Pawâkan Macbeth was inspired by working with youth and elders on the Frog Lake reserve. Reneltta is the first Inuk and first Indigenous woman to graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA Acting program and Reneltta is the first Inuk and first Indigenous woman to direct at The Stratford Festival. There she was awarded the Tyrone Guthrie – Derek F. Mitchell Artistic Director’s Award for her direction of The Breathing Hole. Reneltta is Director of Indigenous Arts at BANFF Centre for Arts and Creativity.
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