Bob Baker (director)

Robert Kenneth Baker (born May 11, 1952)[1] is a retired Canadian theatre director most known for his work as the artistic director of the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta, from 1998 to 2016.

Bob Baker
Born (1952-05-11) May 11, 1952
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Other namesRobert Kenneth Baker
OccupationTheatre Director (Retired)
Years active1974–2018
Known forArtistic Director Citadel Theatre
Partner(s)Tom Wood (Actor, Playwright)

Early life and education

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Baker completed his bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre at University of Alberta in 1974.[1]

Career

In 1972, during his undergraduate studies Baker co-founded Alberta Barter Theatre in 1972. He worked at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, from 1974 to 1979.[1] Baker returned to Edmonton in 1982 as the artistic director of Phoenix Theatre. While there, he guided the company towards contemporary works featuring social commentary and a strong visual element, both of which still characterize his work.[2]

Canadian Stage Company

In 1990, Baker became the artistic director of Canadian Stage.[1] While there Baker directed Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim. In 1997, he directed the entire seven-hour Tony Kushner epic Angels in America.[3][1]

Citadel Theatre

In 1998, Baker moved back to Edmonton to become the 12th artistic director of the Citadel Theatre.[4][5] He would serve as the artistic director from 1999 until 2016, becoming the longest serving AD of the company. One of Baker's most lasting impacts was the direction of a new adaptation of the Charles Dickens holiday classic A Christmas Carol' written by Baker's partner Tom Wood.[6] This production was one of the Citadel Theatre's most ambitious.[5] Playwright Tom Wood would also play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. The production involved a large cast that included over a dozen youth performers. Baker and Wood's adaptation would become an Edmonton holiday tradition, lasting 19 years.[7] During his tenure at the Citadel Theatre, the company developed several unique programs supporting artists, these included the Foote Theatre School and the Robbins Academy.[1] Baker also oversaw the development of an advanced training program for theatre professionals at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.[1]

Bakers time at the Citadel ended in 2016 when he stepped away from his role as artistic director. He was succeeded by Daryl Cloran.[8] Baker would remain with the Citadel in the role of artistic director emeritas until 2018. In June 2019, Baker was expelled from the Canadian Actors' Equity Association, in response to complaints from actors in Edmonton.[9]

Awards and honors

Honors

Bob Baker is a member of Edmonton's Cultural Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for exceptional service, excellence and community involvement; the University of Alberta's Distinguished Alumni Award;[10] and a PACE award from Alberta Association of Colleges and Technical Institutes.[11]

Awards

Personal life

Baker's partner of over 40 years is playwright Tom Wood.[12] They have collaborated on many productions, including Wood's adaptation of A Christmas Carol and original plays Make Mine Love and B Movie.[13][14]

References
  1. Nicholls, Liz (February 15, 2014). "Robert Kenneth Baker". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  2. "Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia - Baker, Bob". www.canadiantheatre.com.
  3. "Reviews of Canadian Stage Company 1996/97 Season". www.stage-door.org.
  4. Nicholls, Liz (October 22, 1998). "Coming home". Edmonton Journal. p. 29. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  5. Nicholls, Liz (July 8, 2016). "Bob Baker looks back on 17 seasons at the Citadel Theatre". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  6. "Citadel to retire Tom Wood's "A Christmas Carol" this December". September 23, 2018.
  7. Nicholls, Liz (December 3, 2019). "After two decades, the Citadel has a new Christmas Carol. A preview".
  8. Nicholls, Liz (May 30, 2016). "Edmonton's Citadel Theatre announces Daryl Cloran as new artistic director". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  9. Faulder, Liane (September 17, 2019). "Former Citadel artistic director Bob Baker kicked out of actors' union". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019.
  10. "Search Award Recipients | University of Alberta". www.ualberta.ca.
  11. "Passionate artistic director awarded Medal of Excellence - MacEwan University". www.macewan.ca.
  12. Nicholls, Liz (September 28, 2011). "Home on the stage: a thoroughly theatrical couple". Edmonton Journal. p. 25. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  13. Nicholls, Liz (May 15, 2014). "Comic mania, on road to love". Edmonton Journal. p. 31. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  14. "Bob Baker still looking for the best scripts". Edmonton Journal. September 18, 2009. p. 22. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
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