About Derek
CAREER
Artistic Direction for Lighthouse Festival Theatre and Showboat Festival Theatre
Ritschel has become one of the most influential artists in the history of Lighthouse Theatre. Before becoming Artistic Director in 2011, he performed over 300 times on the Lighthouse stage, more than any actor in the company’s history. He has also directed ten Lighthouse productions and has written and premiered three of his own original plays there. In total, he has directly participated close to 1000 Lighthouse Theatre performances in some way.
Since taking over as Lighthouse’s Artistic Director, Ritschel has added a community production for local amateur actors to work in tandem with professional artists in the offseason, overseen considerable technical improvements, witnessed the most successful seasons in the theatre’s 39-year history and has made significant ambassadorial efforts by expanding the theatre’s participation in other community groups and events.
One of his biggest achievements as a Canadian theatre artist is rescuing Showboat Festival Theatre in Port Colborne from closure in 2013 by reaching out to the theatre’s board of directors and bringing the company under Lighthouse Theatre management.
ACTING
Since 1995 Ritschel has established himself as a steady go to as an actor and director for Canadian developed comedies for the professional stage. Ritschel honed his acting skills as a constant member of the Acting Company of Lighthouse Festival Theatre, one of Ontario’s most successful summer theatres. To date, he has spent 17 seasons with Lighthouse where he rose from bit parts to leading roles, including Mary Wedding, The Foursome and The Drawer Boy.
Theatre
- 1997 Waiting For Godot by Samuel Becket
- 1998 Crackwalker by Judith Thompson
- 2002 Heatwave by Michel Marc Bouchard
- 2003 The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey
- 2004 Strawberries in January by Évelyne de la Chenelière
- 2005 Mary’s Wedding by Stephen Massicotte
- 2007 Bedtime Stories by Norm Foster
- 2007 Stranger In Our House by Maryjane Cruise
- 2008 Mending Fences by Norm Foster
- 2008 Between Friends by John Spurway
- 2008 A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- 2009 Outlaw by Norm Foster
- 2012 A Gift To Last by Walter Learning and Alden Nowlan
- 2014 The Foursome by Norm Foster
Film and TV
Traders, Prince Street, Glitter, True Crime Scenes, Queer as Folk, Traders, Men With Guns, Silent Hill, Doc.
Outlaw by Norm Foster
WRITING
In 2010 Ritschel expanded his artistic horizons and had his first play Perfect Pitch produced professionally. In 2012 he penned his first musical Rum Runners. The project was a collaboration between Ritschel and musical director and composer Steve Thomas. The show was positively reviewed and played a four-week sold-out run. In 2018 Ritschel premiered his third play Fair and Square which was nominated by the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s Tom Hendry awards in the Stage West Comedy category. The shows premiere production ran for six weeks to sold-out houses and has become his most critically acclaimed work.
Matthew Olver, David Rosser, Precious Chong, Leah Oster
DIRECTING
It’s clear that Derek Ritschel has established himself as one of the easiest going directors in Canada. His positive approach creates a safe and electric rehearsal hall that artists can thrive in. His attention to detail and his reputation for having a very strong vision when entering the room ensure confidence and stability for his fellow artists.
- 2010 Harvest by Ken Cameron
- 2011 When The Reaper Calls by Peter Colley
- 2011 Melville Boys by Norm Foster
- 2011 Rumours by Neil Simon
- 2012 Self Help by Norm Foster
- 2012 Rum Runners by Derek Ritschel
- 2012 The Odd Couple by Neil Simon
- 2013 Knickers: A Brief Comedy by Sarah Quick
- 2013 Nurse Jane Goes To Hawaii by Allan Stratton
- 2014 Trying by Joanna Glass
- 2015 CORPSE! by Gerald Moon
- 2015 Ghost Island Light by Peter Colley
- 2016 Perfect Wedding by Robin Hawdon
- 2016 Jonas and Barry In The Home by Norm Foster
- 2017 Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Ken Ludwig
- 2017 Five Alarm by Kristen DaSilva
- 2018 Stage Fright by Robin Hawdon
- 2018 Educating Rita by Willy Russell
- 2019 Sexy Laundry by Michelle Riml
- 2019 Lunenburg by Norm Foster
Musical Theatre Directing
- 2014 The Drowsy Chaperone book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar and music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison.
- 2015 Young Frankenstein book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Mel Brooks
- 2017 A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
- 2018 Mary Poppins music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and a script by Julian Fellowes
HONOURS
Upon graduation, Ritschel received two awards from his alma mater. Best Performance for his work in The Homecoming by Harold Pinter and Best Overall Performer for his work that graduating year.
Ritschel was honoured to serve as the Chair of the OST (Ontario Summer Theatre Association) from 2013 to 2015. In 2010 Ritschel was the recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts Professional Development Grant. In the fall of 2018, Ritschel was nominated by the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s Tom Hendry Awards in the Stage West Comedy category for his new stage play Fair and Square.
“Fair & Square by Derek Ritschel captured the jury with its solid dialogue; punchy jokes; clear, likeable characters; and strong resolution. The jury felt the play was ‘true comedy.'” – Playwrights Guild of Canada
PERSONAL LIFE
Ritschel is an avid baseball fan and long distance runner. Derek has been married to his wife since 2008. They live in southern Ontario with their dog Grace.
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