Actor, Director. He was acclaimed for his diverse theatrical work and later as the longest-serving artistic director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival (1994-2007). Monette attended Loyola College in Montreal and obtained a B.A. in English. He made his professional stage debut at age 19 in Toronto with the lead role in "Hamlet". He joined the Stratford Festival company in 1965 and also performed across Canada, in London and New York. Notable roles came in the original British production of "Oh! Calcutta!" and "Hosanna" on Broadway. Additionally, he made many television and film appearances. Starting with "The Taming of the Shrew" in 1988, he enjoyed great success as director of over 40 productions at Stratford in addition to work for other theatre companies across the country. In 1994 he became the first Canadian-born artistic director of the Stratford Festival (founded in 1953) and was instrumental in its financial and creative revitalization. One of his significant contributions was the formation of an acting school, the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training. He also oversaw renovation and expansion of the theatres, and establishment of a $50 million endowment for the Festival before he retired in 2007. Among his many awards, he received honorary doctorate degrees from three universities and was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1997. Richard Monette died at age 64 of a pulmonary embolism.
Actor, Director. He was acclaimed for his diverse theatrical work and later as the longest-serving artistic director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival (1994-2007). Monette attended Loyola College in Montreal and obtained a B.A. in English. He made his professional stage debut at age 19 in Toronto with the lead role in "Hamlet". He joined the Stratford Festival company in 1965 and also performed across Canada, in London and New York. Notable roles came in the original British production of "Oh! Calcutta!" and "Hosanna" on Broadway. Additionally, he made many television and film appearances. Starting with "The Taming of the Shrew" in 1988, he enjoyed great success as director of over 40 productions at Stratford in addition to work for other theatre companies across the country. In 1994 he became the first Canadian-born artistic director of the Stratford Festival (founded in 1953) and was instrumental in its financial and creative revitalization. One of his significant contributions was the formation of an acting school, the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training. He also oversaw renovation and expansion of the theatres, and establishment of a $50 million endowment for the Festival before he retired in 2007. Among his many awards, he received honorary doctorate degrees from three universities and was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1997. Richard Monette died at age 64 of a pulmonary embolism.
Bio by: Milou
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