Stafford Arima

Get Stafford Arima Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Stafford Arima BIO

Stafford Arima (he/him) is an award-winning director for stage and screen.

With 25+ years of experience in the global entertainment industry, he became the first Asian Canadian to direct a musical on Broadway when Allegiance opened at the Longacre Theatre, starring George Takei and Lea Salonga. Arima directed the West End premiere of Ragtime, earning 8 Olivier Award nominations, including Best Director.

Arima is currently the Artistic Director at Theatre Calgary where he has helmed a number of productions since 2017 including Forgiveness, Mary and Max, The Secret Garden, A Christmas Carol, and Billy Elliot. Arima has also shepherded new musical development at the Toronto Fringe Festival, New York Musical Theatre Festival, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and New York Stage and Film.

Selected New York credits include: Altar Boyz (Best Musical, Outer Critics Circle Award), Carrie (Best Musical Revival, Off-Broadway Alliance Awards), Ragtime 25th Anniversary Concert, The Secret Garden: In Concert, The Tin Pan Alley Rag, bare, Two Class Acts, and Saturday Night. Arima was the Associate Director for the Broadway productions of Seussical and A Class Act.

Regional credits include: Bhangin’ It (La Jolla Playhouse), Poster Boy (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Dial M For Murder (The Old Globe), Guys and Dolls (Goodspeed Musicals), The New World (Bucks County Playhouse), and Candide (San Francisco Symphony). He has also staged The Secret Garden and Allegiance in Tokyo.

Born and raised in Toronto, he is a graduate of York University, where he was the recipient of the Dean’s Prize for Excellence in Creative Work. He also serves as a faculty member for Broadway Dreams, and former adjunct and Granada Artist in Residence at the University of California, Davis.

He is a founding Board member of the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and a proud member of SDC and CAEA.

Learn more at StaffordArima.com.

Stafford Arima Photos

Stafford Arima Productions

 
[Canada, 2018]
Director
 
[Regional (US), 2017]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2012]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2012]
Director
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2007]
Director
 
[New York, 2006]
Director
 
[St. Louis, MO (Regional), 2006]
Director
 
[Philadelphia, PA (Regional), 2006]
Director
 
[New York, 2005]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2005]
Director
 
[Regional (US), 2005]
Director
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2005]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Director
 
[New York, 2004]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Director
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2004]
Director
 
[West End, 2003]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Associate Director

Stafford Arima Awards and Nominations

Stafford Arima Videos

Stafford Arima News


Despite Listings From National Chains, RAGTIME Reunion Concert Not Coming To Movie Theaters Next Month

BroadwayWorld has learned that despite listings on multiple national chains' websites including AMC, Regal, and via Fandango - the Ragtime Reunion Concert recording will not be released in movie theaters on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024.

Sohm Kapila Joins the UK Cast of BHANGRA NATION

Rehearsals for the UK Premiere of Bhangra Nation – A New Musical, presented by Birmingham Rep in association with Mara Isaacs, Tom Kirdahy and Peggy Koenig began this week.  Sohm Kapila has joined the cast.

Winners Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards

Winners have been announced for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards! See who was selected audience favorite in Calgary! Winners include Storybook Theatre, Theatre Calgary and more.

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Calgary Awards; Voting Ends 12/31

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Calgary Awards; DISNEY'S NEWSIES, FORGIVENESS, Storybook Theatre & More Lead!

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Photos/Video: First Look at the UK Premiere of BHANGRA NATION at Birmingham Rep; Cast Revealed!

Casting has been announced for the UK Premiere of Bhangra Nation – A New Musical, presented by Birmingham Rep in association with Mara Isaacs, Tom Kirdahy and Peggy Koenig. Plus, check out all new photos and video here!

BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards; DISNEY'S NEWSIES, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, Storybook Theatre & More Lead!

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards December 5th Standings; DISNEY'S NEWSIES Leads Best Musical!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards; PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Leads Best Play!

Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards; DISNEY'S NEWSIES Leads Best Musical!

The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 20th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

First Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards; Storybook Theatre Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The first wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 13th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Calgary Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Interview: Ari Groover of TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Orpheum Theater

Ari Groover of Tina - The Tina Turner Musical heads to Omaha this week to show audiences why Tina truly was simply the best!

MADE IN ITALY Comes to Theatre Calgary

Get ready to take in a great night of family, music, laughs, and food as Theatre Calgary and presenting partner Alberta Theatre Projects welcome Farren Timoteo to the Martha Cohen Theatre for his critically acclaimed funny and lively one-person show, Made in Italy.

Theatre Calgary Announces BEACHES THE MUSICAL For 2023-24 Season

Theatre Calgary's Artistic Director Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Broadway; Carrie, Off-Broadway revival; Ragtime - West End premiere; Altar Boyz, Off-Broadway), along with Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Tony & Emmy Award winner: Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde, Rock of Asges, Broadway), Douglas McJannet for Arden Entertainment & JAS Theatricals, and Alison Spiriti of Right Angle Entertainment have announced the international premiere of Beaches the Musical as the final show of Theatre Calgary's upcoming 2023-24 season.

BEACHES THE MUSICAL Will Make International Premiere at Theatre Calgary

The international premiere of Beaches the Musical as the final show of Theatre Calgary's upcoming 2023-24 season. Find out whats new about this newest version of the musical, which had previous runs in DC and Chicago.

BREED OR BUST Begins At Edinburgh Fringe, August 2

EDINBURGH FRINGE 2023 THEATRE, Human Nature in association with Fringe Management, present the European premiere of BREED OR BUST written and performed by Joyful Raven, directed by Jael Weisman, August 2nd– 27th (not 15th or 22nd) 14.20hrs GILDED BALLOON PATTER HOOSE -  COORIE (venue 24).

Theatre Calgary Reveals 2023-24 Season and New $39 Reduced Price Tickets

Theatre Calgary's Artistic Director Stafford Arima has announced its 2023-24  season of plays. The new lineup is highlighted by works from notable names like Agatha Christie, Steve Martin, William Shakespeare, and The Beatles.

Birmingham Rep Launches Victoria Wood Playwriting Prize For Comedy and the UK Premiere of New Musical BHANGRA NATION

On what would have been Comedy legend Victoria Wood's 70th Birthday, Sean Foley, the double Olivier Award-winning Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre has announced the creation of the first ever major playwriting prize dedicated to the art of Comedy.

RAGTIME Reunion Concert Was Filmed According To Lyricist Lynn Ahrens

In a new interview with the Observer, Tony-winning songwriting duo Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty reflected on the recent gala concert presentation of their beloved musical, Ragtime. As a part of their profile, acclaimed lyricist Ahrens revealed that the starry, one night only event was filmed!

Photos & Video: See Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell & More in RAGTIME 25th Anniversary Concert

See photos and video of Audra McDonald, Kelli O'Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Peter Friedman and more in the Ragtime 25th anniversary concert!

Stafford Arima FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Stafford Arima has been nominated for Best Director at the Olivier Awards for the show Ragtime.

Get Stafford Arima Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos