Stafford Arima is a Canadian-born theatre director. He is currently the Artistic Director of Theatre Calgary. Arima has directed a wide range of productions, including musicals, plays, and operas. He is known for his innovative and creative approach to directing, as well as his ability to bring out the best in his performers.
Arima was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1969. He studied theatre at York University, where he received the Dean's Prize for Excellence in Creative Work. After graduating, Arima began his directing career by working on a variety of independent productions. He soon gained a reputation as a talented and innovative director, and he was soon invited to direct at some of the most prestigious theatres in Canada and the United States.
In 2015, Arima made history when he became the first Asian Canadian to direct a musical on Broadway. He directed the musical Allegiance, which starred George Takei and Lea Salonga. The show was a critical and commercial success, and it earned Arima a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical.