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Des McAnuffAmerican-Canadian former artistic director of Canada's Stratford Festival.
Date of Birth: 19.05.1952
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Des McAnuff: A Life in Theatre
- Career Beginnings
- Artistic Director of the La Jolla Playhouse
- Artistic Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival
- Film and Other Projects
- Personal Life
Des McAnuff: A Life in Theatre
Early Life and EducationDes McAnuff was born in Princeton, Illinois, but raised in Guelph and Scarborough, Ontario. He first took to the stage in a high school production of "The Sound of Music." Inspired by this experience, he co-wrote a rock musical called "Urbania" with two friends. Despite attending Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, he never completed his degree. However, in 2011, he was awarded an Honorary Degree by Ryerson's School of Theatre.
Career Beginnings
McAnuff worked as a director with the Toronto Free Theatre before co-founding the Dodger Theater Company in New York City in 1978. He also directed the company's inaugural production, "Give Me Shelter." Later, he became a teacher at the Juilliard School.
Artistic Director of the La Jolla Playhouse
In 1983, McAnuff became the Artistic Director of the La Jolla Playhouse, revitalizing the theater and earning over 200 awards during his tenure. Under his leadership, the Playhouse staged acclaimed productions of Shakespeare's plays, such as "As You Like It,""The Seagull," and "Twelfth Night."
Artistic Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival
In 2005, McAnuff left the La Jolla Playhouse to become the Artistic Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario. After sharing the role for a year, he became the sole Artistic Director in 2008. During his time at Stratford, he staged successful productions of "Macbeth," "The Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," and "Much Ado About Nothing."
Film and Other Projects
McAnuff has directed two films, "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle" (2000) and "Cousin Bette" (1998), both of which were critical and commercial failures. However, the animated film "The Iron Giant" (1999), which he produced, won several awards. In 2010, he was the subject of a documentary film titled "Des McAnuff: A Life in Stages."
Personal Life
McAnuff married actress Susan Berman (Smitherines) in 1984, with whom he had a daughter, Julia McAnuff. They divorced in 2009. He married Brina McCann in 2012.
