Lisa Spirling today announces her first season as new Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Stratford East. Alongside new Executive Director and Co-CEO Hanna Streeter and Associate Artistic Director Jade Lewis, she will lead the historic 140-year-old East London venue into an exciting new era.
Comprising world premieres of razor-sharp new writing, compelling international theatre and a critically acclaimed London transfer, the season ahead will embody the theatre’s mission to tell vital stories that elevate unheard voices and reflect the world around us. The inaugural programme for Winter, Spring and beyond includes:
- The UK premiere of Here There Are Blueberries by Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, a co-production between Tectonic Theater Project and Stratford East. Based on real events, this powerful play tells the story of a mysterious album featuring Nazi-era photographs which arrives at the desk of a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist. A 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist, 2025 Lucille Lortel Award winner for Outstanding Play and two-time Helen Hayes Award winner. 31 January – 28 February 2026.
- After an award-winning run at Bristol Old Vic, the London premiere of Nancy Medina’s acclaimed production of Choir Boy by the Academy Award-winning writer of Moonlight, Tarell Alvin McCraney, is a tender coming of age story which rejoices in all that it means to march to your own drum, threaded throughout with soul-stirring a cappella gospel hymns and spirituals. 26 March – 25 April 2026.
- Acclaimed stage and screen writer Ava Pickett (1536, Almeida; upcoming Baz Lurhmann film about Joan of Arc) interrogates one of history’s most mythologised figures in Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy as Lisa Spirling makes her directorial debut as Artistic Director of Stratford East. Dates to be confirmed.
- Over 3500 tickets for the new season will be on sale at £10. Priority booking for Stratford East Members and customers with access requirements opens today at 11am. Public booking opens 12pm, Friday 3 October www.stratfordeast.com
Lisa Spirling, Artistic Director and joint CEO of Stratford East, said today: “For our first season we’ve been led by open hearts and inquisitive minds, and we can’t wait to share with you these stories from near and far. It’s a joy to welcome Nancy Medina and her Bristol Old Vic production of ‘Choir Boy’ written by Tarell Alvin McCraney. This coming of age, heart-warming play epitomises the warmth with which we want to hold our audiences.”
Hanna Streeter, Executive Director and joint CEO of Stratford East, also commented: “Lisa’s bold and brilliant programming, and our vision for Stratford East’s future, builds on the legacy of our incredible predecessors. Our first season together celebrates our wonderfully vibrant East London communities, welcomes world-class artists, and reaffirms our commitment to young people and the next generation, creating pathways to success for those who need it most. With our free learning and participation programme, thousands of £10 tickets, and pay what you can nights, affordable access remains at our heart, made possible thanks to our generous supporters. So come for a great night out, to connect, feel, escape in our beautiful 140-year-old theatre, or dance at a DJ night with our signature rum punch. We can’t wait to welcome you in 2026.”
Jade Lewis, Associate Artistic Director of Stratford East added: “Our first season welcomes beautiful and nuanced stories which explore the highs and lows of our world and time. Each piece centred around the foundations of humanity; where we triumph and where we fall short. Our audiences at Stratford East have a taste for political stories with a social commentary as well as plays which are full of heart, warmth and joy and being a part of building this bold programme is exciting. I cannot wait for audiences to respond.”
