In 1953, Tom Patterson launched an annual festival of Shakespearean theatre in his hometown of Stratford. Artistic Director Tyrone Guthrie and designer Tanya Moiseiwitsch conceived the Festival Theatre’s innovative thrust stage, surrounded by the audience on three sides, which enabled a fluid, dynamic style of performance bringing new life to William Shakespeare’s plays. The Festival, while helping to revitalize Stratford economically, has expanded its repertoire over the years and built an international reputation, training generations of theatre professionals and launching the careers of some of Canada’s finest actors.