Bill Millerd ~ Artistic Managing Director

A Biographical Sketch

Born to a West Vancouver family involved in the fishing industry, Bill Millerd graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BA in Political Science and International Studies, and later from the National Theatre School in Montreal in the  Production / Technical department. Bill has worked for several Canadian theatre companies, including the Shaw Festival and the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company. 

Since 1972, Bill has been the Artistic Managing Director of Vancouver's Arts Club Theatre Company. During his time with the company, Bill has expanded its operations to include year-round programming and regional and national tours. Bill oversaw the construction of two theatres on Granville Island: the Mainstage (now known as the Granville Island Stage) in the fall of 1979, and the Revue Stage in 1983. In October 1998, the Arts Club celebrated its 35th season of professional theatre activity with the opening of The Stanley Theatre. During his tenure with the company, over 400 plays have been produced, one hundred of which Bill himself has directed. Under Bill's leadership, the theatre has staged over 116 Canadian works, including more than 70 premieres of new Canadian plays.

Bill is a Governor of the National Theatre School of Canada. He has received a Jessie Richardson Theatre Award for Career Achievement and is a member of the Order of Canada. He has been awarded an Alumni Award of Distinction from UBC, where he is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theatre. Now in its 44th season, Bill Millerd celebrates his 35th year with the Arts Club, making him the longest serving artistic director in Canadian theatre.