Stage Door News

Waterloo: David Connolly receives the Arts Awards Waterloo Region’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Friday, November 27, 2020

Congratulations to Associate Artistic Director David Connolly, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Arts Awards Waterloo Region tonight.

David grew up in Kitchener-Waterloo and attended Forest Heights Collegiate Institute, where he developed a passion for the arts. As a double, below-knee amputee, David inspired others and defied the odds by pursuing a career in theatre and dance. He attended Sheridan College's Musical Theatre Performance Program and immediately upon graduating, made his Broadway debut, becoming the first and only amputee to perform there.

After years as a performer, David transitioned behind-the-scenes to become a sought after Director and Choreographer. His remarkable career includes countless theatrical productions across North America, as well as collaborations with Katy Perry, Sarah Jessica Parker, kd lang, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Natalie Portman, and The Tenors. He has also directed and choreographed several children's series for CBC and other major networks.

David is a tireless advocate for inclusion. In January this year, prior to the pandemic, David curated and moderated the first-ever disability inclusion panel at the Broadway Conference "BroadwayCon" in New York City to help develop actionable steps to improve disabled representation in theatre. He is also a Volunteer Ambassador for the Shriner's Hospital for Children and The War Amps Child Amputee Program.

In his role as Associate Artistic Director with Drayton Entertainment, he has led the creation and implementation of our Youth Musical Theatre Program, and directed over thirty productions including Kinky Boots, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Mamma Mia!, Disney's Newsies, and our beloved panto productions.

Join us in congratulating David on this honour!

Photo: David Connolly. © 2020.