JOHN WEISGERBER

Artistic Director’s Statement "Shakespeare in the Park"

My first encounter with Shakespeare in the Park was in 1983 in Canada, where I saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was a magical experience that left a lasting impression and ultimately inspired me to create Szekspir w Parku in Warsaw in 2016. This project grew from my deep love of Shakespeare’s work, nurtured through my training as an actor in both Canada and London, England.

From the beginning, my dream and mission were clear: to form a dedicated acting company and present Shakespeare’s plays in the spirit in which they were originally intended – a shared experience that would Awaken, Enlighten, and Inspire. Through Szekspir w Parku, we aim to bring Shakespeare’s timeless stories to Polish audiences, in the Polish language, free of charge, so that everyone – friends, families, and especially children – can discover that same sense of wonder and connection that first moved me.

In 2019, we established the First Gate Theatre Foundation as our production company, supported generously by corporate sponsorship. Since then, Szekspir w Parku has become a unique and vital cultural experience in Warsaw. Each performance is a shared journey between actors and audience, reminding us of the power of live theatre to unite and inspire.

The 2024 season marked a significant milestone: for the first time, we presented two productions – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a beloved favourite, and Twelfth Night. The response was extraordinary, with over 40,000 people attending, our largest audience to date. Due to this overwhelming demand, we are thrilled to return this season with both plays and an additional week of performances.

Looking ahead to 2026, we will celebrate our 10-year anniversary with a brand new production to be performed alongside Twelfth Night. Our vision is to continue expanding our reach and deepening our role in Poland’s cultural landscape, fostering a love of theatre and storytelling for all generations.

More than four centuries after his death, William Shakespeare remains the most produced playwright in the world, his themes still resonating powerfully with contemporary audiences. At Szekspir w Parku, we are proud to be part of that legacy – making his works accessible, alive, and unforgettable.

Our vision

We look to the future with hope and excitement.

As we approach 2026 and the celebration of our 10th anniversary, we are thrilled to announce a brand-new production to be performed alongside Twelfth Night. This milestone marks not only a decade of Szekspir w Parku but a renewed commitment to enriching Poland’s cultural landscape. Our vision is to grow further—expanding our reach and inspiring a lasting love for theatre and storytelling across all generations.

More than 400 years after his death, William Shakespeare remains the most widely performed playwright in the world, his themes as vital and relevant as ever. At Szekspir w Parku, we are proud to carry that torch-bringing Shakespeare’s work to life in ways that are accessible, dynamic, and unforgettable.

BIO

John Weisgerber - Artistic Director First Gate Theatre Foundation

John Weisgerber is a Canadian-born actor, director, and teaching artist based in Warsaw, Poland. He holds a BFA Honours degree in Acting from York University in Toronto and is a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Following his training, he apprenticed at the Stratford Festival in Ontario and worked with renowned director Mike Alfreds on Blood Wedding at the Banff Centre.

John enjoyed a rich acting career in Canada, performing leading roles in both classical and contemporary plays—comic and dramatic—across the country. His transition to directing began abroad, first in Bangkok with an opera production that led to the founding of the Bangkok Opera Company and the staging of a musical.

His greatest artistic achievement to date is the founding of Szekspir w Parku (Shakespeare in the Park) in Warsaw in 2016, where he continues to serve as Artistic Producer and Director. Now entering its ninth season, the company celebrates with productions of Twelfth Night (Wieczór Trzech Króli) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Sen Nocy Letniej).

John has also directed comedies at Teatr Polonia and Teatr Komedia, and taught Acting Shakespeare in English at the Akademia Teatralna in Warsaw. He regularly leads acting workshops and offers preparatory training for students pursuing acting programs in the UK and beyond. Currently, he is in rehearsal with ASA for an English-language production of The Trojan Women.

A passionate advocate for international theatre collaboration and classical text exploration, John brings bold, imaginative interpretations to his work as a teaching director, acting instructor, and personal coach.