Life and Career
Ouzounian was born in New York City. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, and was adopted by an Armenian-Italian-Finnish family. Ouzounian was educated at Regis High School, and in 1970 received his B.A. in English Literature from Fordham University. He completed his M.A. studies in Theatre and Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia in 1972 and was made an honorary Doctor of Sacred Letters by Thorneloe University in 2003. Ouzounian has worked professionally in the world of the performing arts and arts journalism for the past 40 years. In that time, he has written, directed, or acted in over 250 productions, served as Artistic Director of five major Canadian theatres, been an Associate Director of the Stratford Festival of Canada for four seasons, and worked as Harold Prince's assistant on the original Toronto production of The Phantom of the Opera. He was President of the Board of the Arts Foundation of Toronto from 1996-1998.
He has served on the boards of Community Living Toronto and Surrey Place Foundation, as well as organizing fund-raising galas for both organizations, including the popular series of “Night of Stars” Concerts for Community Living Toronto, featuring artists like Colm Wilkinson, Louise Pitre and The Barenaked Ladies.
Ouzounian has taught and/or directed at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Winnipeg, Dalhousie University, George Brown College and Sheridan College.
Ouzounian lives in downtown Toronto and has been married since 1977 to his wife, Pamela. They have two children.
Read more about this topic: Richard Ouzounian
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