Marti Maraden Memorial Bench

Marti Marden - The first and only woman to be appointed artist director of the Stratford Festival, 10 years as artistic director of the National Arts Centre and director of countless productions across Canada and the United States.

Not only is Marti celebrated for her illustrious career as an actress and director, she is beloved by countless artists she mentored and worked with, many of whom credit Marti’s stewardship as having been pivotal to their careers in the theatre. I count myself among them.

Marti was a pillar of Canadian theatre, a giant among her peers and yet there does not exist a permanent marker celebrating her life or recognizing her passing.

Marti loved her walks around the river every morning, often joined by friends. We're asking for help from you to purchase a bench honouring her to be installed along the river.

$5,000 is the quoted amount by the city of Stratford. With a generous donation by the Stratford Festival's Guthrie Committee, we're starting at $500. We hope you are willing and able to contribute to this fund to place a marker in memory of one of our country's best.