Rotary Program November 1, 2010

 

Bob Baker graduated from the University of Alberta, Department of Drama, in 1974 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) Honors degree. In 1972 he co-founded and was co-director of Edmonton's Alberta Barter Theatre. From 1974 to 1979 he was in the Acting Company of The Stratford Festival in Ontario. In 1979 he became a faculty member of Vancouver Community College and taught Professional Acting Classes in Vancouver and Edmonton. In 1982, he was appointed Artistic Director of Edmonton's cutting-edge Phoenix Theatre where he directed such plays as Cloud Nine; Key Exchange; Torch Song Trilogy; Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You and The Actor's Nightmare; The Zen of an Intelligent Machine;As Is; B-Movie, The Play; The Curse of the Werewolf and North Shore Live, which he co-wrote, along with Tom Wood and Nicola Cavendish.

The years 1987-1989 saw Mr. Baker directing around the world in places such as The Shaw Festival, Alberta Theatre Projects, The Vancouver Playhouse, The Canadian Stage Company, and Harbourfront Theatre in Toronto, The Edinburgh International Theatre Festival, The National Arts Centre, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Wilbur Theatre in Boston, and The Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. In 1989 he became a member of the faculty at Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto.

In 1990 he was appointed Artistic Director of The Canadian Stage Company in Toronto where he directed such plays as Breaking the Code; The Dreamland; Henry VI; Richard III; La Bête; Once On This Island; Into the Woods; The Glorious 12th; Angels in America Parts I and II and Claptrap.

This 2010-2011 Season marks Mr. Baker's 12th year as Artistic Director at the Citadel Theatre.

Mr. Baker has received four Dora Award (Toronto) nominations for Outstanding Direction (Breaking the Code; Into the Woods; Angels in America Part I and Angels in America Part II) and received the award for directing B-Movie, The Play. Locally, Mr. Baker has three Sterling Awards (Edmonton) for Best Director (Popcorn, Cabaret and The Pillowman) and three nominations for Best Director for "Art"; Measure for Measure and West Side Story