Our Leadership

Artistic Director

Daryl Cloran began his tenure with the Citadel in September 2016. Originally from Ontario, Daryl came to Edmonton after six years as Artistic Director of Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops, B.C. Daryl is a nationally recognized director, having directed at theatres across the country, including at the Arts Club, Bard on the Beach, Theatre Calgary, National Arts Centre, Shaw Festival, Canadian Stage, Tarragon Theatre, and Neptune Theatre. For the Citadel, Daryl has directed: A Christmas Carol, Matilda, Shakespeare in Love, The Silver Arrow, The Candidate and The Party, and Made in Italy. Daryl’s Beatles-infused, award-winning, musical adaptation of As You Like It has played across Canada, and will soon premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and at Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

Daryl was the Artistic Director of Theatrefront in Toronto, known for its unique international theatre collaborations in countries such as South Africa and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which played nationally and internationally to much acclaim. Daryl is also the co-creator and director of DRUM! a musical extravaganza featuring the music and culture of Nova Scotia. DRUM! has toured across North America and has been featured at the 2010 Winter Olympics, Toronto’s Massey Hall, and Dollywood. Daryl has served as the New Play Development Coordinator of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, where he also worked as Assistant Director to Artistic Director Des McAnuff.

As Artistic Director, Daryl has built strong international connections for the Citadel, and has grown the Citadel’s reputation as a world-renowned theatre, including a feature in the New York Times, and two Citadel-associated shows currently playing on Broadway: Hadestown (winner of 8 Tony Awards and a Grammy Award), and SIX. The Citadel has premiered new work by Canadian playwrights in each season since Daryl’s arrival. Daryl has opened the doors of the Citadel to collaborations with many local theatre companies and artists, as well as striving to ensure our stages are a place where everyone feels they belong.

“My passion as a theatre-maker and Artistic Director is community. It is my job as Artistic Director of the Citadel Theatre to be a contributing part of Edmonton’s artistic community and to provide opportunities for local artists,” says Daryl. “I believe the Citadel must maintain a high-profile leadership role within Edmonton and continue to figure prominently as part of the international theatre scene. As Artistic Director, I pursue partnerships and opportunities to showcase the Citadel’s work on international stages. While the Edmonton community will always be our primary audience, audiences across the world should see our fabulous productions.”

“I value theatre that asks questions important to its community; I value creative risks,” he says. “The Citadel is an incredible theatre company with a history of innovation, high production values and important contributions to the Canadian theatre landscape. I want to build on this success, honour its traditions and also take appropriate risks to lead the Citadel into the next phase of its artistic growth.”

Daryl lives in Edmonton with his wife Holly, and their sons Liam and Jack.