Steven Stead

Source: http://www.kickstart-theatre.co.za/

TO BE EDITED
Steven graduated from Natal University in 1991 with a BA Hons in Drama. His stage career in South Africa and the UK has been extensive, involving work as performer and director in more than eighty productions, ranging from classical drama and opera to musical theatre. He spent 8 years living in London, where he specialised in opera direction, joining the staff of the English National Opera in 1998 as a staff director where he directed several well-received revivals. His freelance directing work has included The Black Monk (Sirius Ensemble at the Bloomsbury Theatre), The Marriage of Figaro (ENO), Caterina Cornaro (QEH), Rinaldo (Bloomsbury Theatre), Amahl (Camerata Opera) and Weill Bodies (Athens). He was Associate Director of the Olivier Award winning West End musical, Our House, and has directed Alcina in Bilbao and Oviedo, Spain. Since moving back to South Africa in 2004 to join KickstArt as Executive Director, he has directed Laughing Wild, Dracula, Dangerous Liaisons, Boston Marriage, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Popcorn, The Jungle Book, The Road to Mecca, Winnie-the-Pooh, Aladdin, Oleanna and Shirley Valentine for the company. He won the 2005 Durban Theatre Award for Best Drama Director for Boston Marriage, and 2005, 2006 and 2007 Durban Theatre Awards for Best Director of Children’s Theatre (for Cinderella, Winnie-the-Pooh, and The Jungle Book respectively)  In addition he has directed a highly acclaimed production of My Fair Lady (Playhouse Co, winner Durban Theatre and Fools Award Best Director of a Musical and Best Musical 2007), Valley Song (Cape Town Opera), La Traviata and Rigoletto (Opera Africa), Bravo! (Playhouse Co.), and DOF and The Golfer (Macbob Prods). Steven has also excelled as an actor, having won the Cape Vita Award for Best Supporting Actor 1993 for his performance as Ariel in The Tempest at Maynardville, the Durban Vita Award 2000 for Best Actor for playing Hamlet at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, and the Durban Theatre Award for Best Actor 2007 for his multiple roles in KickstArt’s The Mystery of Irma Vep.