Amelia Hall's life began in England, but her early years took a dramatic turn when she emigrated to Canada with her parents at the tender age of five. This formative experience would later shape her path in life.
After completing her education at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where she earned an honours degree in English, Amelia embarked on a nine-year teaching career in Ottawa. However, her true passion lay in the world of theatre.
In 1948, Amelia made her stage debut in a production of Robertson Davies' "Eros at Breakfast" with the Canadian Art Theatre. This marked the beginning of her illustrious theatre career, which would eventually culminate in the founding of the Canadian Repertory Theatre in Ottawa.
A decade later, in 1953, Amelia auditioned for the renowned director Tyrone Guthrie at Stratford's newly established Shakespearean Festival. Her impressive performance earned her the coveted role of Lady Anne opposite the legendary Alec Guinness as Richard III. This milestone achievement made her the first woman to appear and speak on Stratford's stage, a distinction that would be followed by her consistent presence at the festival for the next 30 years.
