The Dr. David E. Gardner Apprentice Director Program

The Dr. David E. Gardner Apprentice Director Program celebrates Dr. Gardner’s legacy of supporting and nurturing Canada's next generation of artists at Hart House Theatre, which he considered his "home theatre'. Since its creation in 2014, the program has supported at least one U of T Student Apprentice Director each season, providing them with much-needed practical experience by working alongside experienced professional directors on full-scale, high-quality productions at Hart House Theatre.

This is an opportunity for a current University of Toronto full/part-time student or recent graduate within 1 calendar year. Applications traditionally open in September. 

A celebrated and award-winning actor, director and educator, Mr. Gardner was a legend in Canadian Theatre. Former Artistic Director of the Vancouver Playhouse and a founding member of the National Theatre School, he not only left his mark on stages across this country but has also paved the way for the next generations of Canadian Theatre talent. 

Mr. Gardner's staunch support of the Theatre in 2001, when it was scheduled to close, helped shape the direction and revitalization of the Theatre’s programming and mandate. His direction of both Macbeth and As You Like It in 2002 and 2003 helped put Hart House Theatre back on the map in the Toronto Theatre landscape. 

Mr. Gardner's legacy will forever be celebrated at Hart House Theatre through this program. Students will learn of David’s lasting impact on Canadian Theatre and Hart House Theatre, while getting the much-needed practical experience of working on a full-scale high-quality production. 

• 2023/2024 - Nicolas Cikoja, Emma Kidd and Sanchez
• 2022/2023 - Anna Kopacek, Ryan Borochovitz and Julia Edda Pape
• 2021/2022 - Valerio Greganti and Anthony Palermo
• 2020/2021 - Devni De Silva and Cass Iacovelli 
• 2019/2020 - Tara Costello, Dhanya Dass, Lanndis De Lallo, Sydnie Phillips
• 2018/2019 - Shannon Dunbar, Hannah-Rae Sabyan, Maher Sinno
• 2017/2018 - Max Fearon, Michael Manning, Mackenzie Stewart
• 2016/2017 - Gillian Armstrong, Dorcas Chiu, Mirka Loiselle
• 2015/2016 - Karthy Chin, Emma Keil-Vine, Eleanor Kschischang
• 2014/2015 - Victoria McEwan, Rebecca Ostroff, Grace Smith

If you would like to provide a gift of support to the Dr. David E. Gardner Apprentice Director Program, or if you have any questions about supporting Hart House in other ways, please contact Peter Wambera, Hart House’s head of Advancement.