In 2015, Young People’s Theatre produced Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. A new production of the piece will be staged in 2018 at the Stratford Festival. In this talk, we will examine the ways in which what was learned in 2014/15 might translate to a different context and explore what new discoveries will be made at the Stratford Festival this season.

What are the pedagogical implications of staging a “classic” in a contemporary Canadian context? Can our blind spots become knowable? What is the value of this piece to audiences now? How do we acknowledge and build on the experiences they bring with them into the theatre?

Karen Gilodo is an Associate Artistic Director at Young People’s Theatre. She is a certified teacher and holds an MA in Drama from UofT. Karen has worked for several arts organizations in Canada. She was the Assistant Director on both The Power of Harriet T! and Hana’s Suitcase (YPT).

Lois Adamson is the Director of Education at the Stratford Festival. Previously, Lois worked primarily at Young People’s Theatre. She belongs to PAONE, the Paprika Festival board, and is a founding member of Shakespeare in the Ruff. Lois holds a BEd, BAH (Queen’s University), and MA (OISE/University of Toronto).

Registration required.

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