David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University

The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University is a graduate professional school of Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1924 as the Department of Drama in the School of Fine Arts, the school provides training in every discipline of the theatre – acting, design (set design, costume design, lighting design, projection design, and sound design), directing, dramaturgy and dramatic criticism, playwriting, stage management, technical design and production, and theatre management. It was known as the Yale School of Drama until its endowment by David Geffen in 2021.[1]

David Geffen School of Drama
at Yale University
Coat of arms of the school
Former name
Department of Drama in the School of Fine Arts (1924–1955)
Yale School of Drama (1955–2021)
Established1924 (1924)
Parent institution
Yale University
DeanJames Bundy
Academic staff
79
Students194
Location
New Haven
,
Connecticut
,
U.S.
Websitedrama.yale.edu

The school operates in partnership with the Yale Repertory Theatre, also located in New Haven.

History

The school traces its roots to the Yale Dramatic Association, the second-oldest college theatre association in the US, founded in 1900. The "Dramat" produced the American premieres of Albert Camus's Caligula and Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, as well as original works by Cole Porter, Stephen Vincent Benét, and Thornton Wilder written when they were students.

In 1924, Yale benefactor Edward S. Harkness provided funds to the Department of Drama in the School of Fine Arts and for the construction of the University Theatre, later to become the school's primary building. Completed in 1931, it was designed by Clarence H. Blackall and then later renovated by James Gamble Rogers.[2] George Pierce Baker, a teacher of playwriting, was the first chairman of the department.[3]

In 1955, the department was organized as a separate professional school, the first such in the Ivy League. In 1966, under Dean Robert Brustein, the Yale Repertory Theatre was formed to establish further ties between the professional and academic communities. Lloyd Richards, dean and artistic director from 1979 to 1991, increased the theatre's emphasis on new plays, premiering works by Athol Fugard, Lee Blessing, and August Wilson. Richards' successor as dean and artistic director, Stan Wojewodski, Jr., continued to emphasize the production of new plays, including several important works by Suzan-Lori Parks and Theatre de la Jeune Lune. The current dean and artistic director, James Bundy, has produced notable premieres by David Rabe, José Rivera, David Adjmi, and Sarah Ruhl, among others, as well as Radio Golf, the tenth play in August Wilson's 20th century cycle.[3]

Facilities
University Theatre

A variety of locations on the Yale University campus serve the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. The University Theatre is a proscenium theatre that is shared with the undergraduate dramatic association and also houses the school's main administrative offices. The Yale Repertory Theatre is located in the former building of the Calvary Baptist Church and contains an auditorium and the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale/Yale Repertory Theatre box office. Additional facilities include the Iseman Theater in Holcombe T. Green, Jr. Hall, the School of Drama Annex, and the Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library.[3]

Academics

Admissions

Admission to the school has been highly competitive for a long time. The Yale Herald reported that the school received 1,270 applications for the class of 1999 and admitted 68 applicants for an acceptance rate of 5.4%.[4] In 2010, annual applications peaked at 1,520, with strict caps on admission to each of the school's nine programs.[5]

The cost of tuition for the 2020–21 academic year was $32,800.[1] After his appointment in 2002, School Dean James Bundy made improving financial aid for students a priority. The school's financial aid budget grew from $1.4 million to over $6.1 million in 2017, with significant reductions in debt upon graduation.[5][6] Financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need, with awards consisting of a combination of work-study employment, an educational loan, a tuition scholarship, and a living stipend. As of 2016, the average student with demonstrated financial need receives aid providing for 82 percent of the total cost of attendance.[6]

In June 2021, Yale announced a $150 million donation from David Geffen that would permanently cover the costs of tuition for all admitted students.[1]

Enrollment

As of fall 2015, there were 194 students enrolled at the School, 18 % of which were international students.[7]

Degrees and certificates

The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale offers a Master of Fine Arts in acting, design, sound design, directing, dramaturgy and dramatic criticism, playwriting, stage management, technical design and production, and theatre management. Students must hold an undergraduate degree and complete their program of study with distinction, which requires three years in residence. The school also offers a Doctor of Fine Arts to students who hold an M.F.A. degree in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism and have written a dissertation approved by the D.F.A. committee.

A Certificate in Drama is available to those students who do not hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college, but who are admitted and complete the same training as M.F.A. students. A Technical Internship Certificate is available to students who complete a one-year internship program of the Technical Design and Production department.[8]

Rankings

The School has emerged as one of the nation's best theatre conservatories.[9][10][11]

Student life

Activities

Founded in 1968, the Yale Cabaret is an entirely student-run extracurricular activity that allows students to create productions of their own. It is the only production opportunity at the school that allows students to work outside of their discipline.[12] Patricia Clarkson, Tony Shalhoub, Kate Burton, David Alan Grier, Christopher Durang, and Wendy Wasserstein, among countless others, all performed at the Cabaret."[13]

Notable people

Faculty

Faculty members are working professionals in their fields and in many cases graduates of the school themselves.[14] As of fall 2015, there are 79 faculty members.[7] James Bundy is the current dean of the school as well as the artistic director of Yale Repertory Theatre.[15] Current faculty members in the Acting department include Gregory Berger-Sobeck, Peter Francis James, and Walton Wilson, who also serves as chair of the department. Current faculty members in the Directing department include Emily Coates, Yuri Kordonsky, Robert Woodruff, and department chair Liz Diamond. Designers include Jane Greenwood, Jess Goldstein, Wendall K. Harrington, and Jennifer Tipton. Playwrights include John Guare, Michael Korie, Lisa Kron, Tina Landau, Richard Nelson, Lynn Nottage, Peter Parnell, Adam Rapp, Paula Vogel, and Derek Walcott. Critics include Allardyce Nicoll. Music consultants include Rusty Magee.[16]

Former faculty includes dancer/choreographer Carmen de Lavallade, set designer Ming Cho Lee, actor Earle Gister and directors Robert Brustein, F. Curtis Canfield, Keith Fowler, and Nikos Psacharopoulos.

Alumni

Alumni of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale are among the most distinguished in stage, film, television, and other creative fields.[11]

Acting

Design

Directing

Dramaturgy and dramatic criticism (formerly dramatic literature)

Playwriting

Stage management

Technical design and production

Theatre management

Other

References
  1. Paulson, Michael (30 June 2021). "Yale Drama Goes Tuition-Free With $150 Million Gift From David Geffen". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  2. Kelley, Brooks Mather (1999). Yale: A History (2nd ed.). New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 384.
  3. "History and Facilities". Yale School of Drama. Yale University. Archived from the original on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  4. Peiffer, Siobhan (1996-10-04). "Backstage at Yale Drama admissions". The Yale Herald. Archived from the original on May 29, 2000.
  5. Ahmed, Akbar (15 February 2012). "Drama applications continue 3-year high". Yale Daily News. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  6. "Financial Aid Policy". Yale School of Drama. Yale University. Archived from the original on 2017-05-07. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  7. "Yale Facts". About Yale. Yale University. 3 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  8. "Degrees and Certificates". Yale School of Drama. Yale Publisher. Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  9. McKinley, Jesse (2002-04-07). "At Yale Drama, Actors Learn The Play Is The Last Thing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  10. Gerard, Jeremy (1988-04-19). "Juilliard Drama School, at 20, Stresses Versatility". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  11. Smart, Jack (2016-03-11). "The Inside Scoop on Yale's Acting MFA". Backstage.
  12. "Training at Yale School of Drama". Yale School of Drama. Yale University. Archived from the original on 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  13. "Our History". Yale Cabaret. Archived from the original on June 7, 2008.
  14. Hawes, Peter (March 2002). "A New Dean Takes the Stage". Yale Alumni Magazine. Archived from the original on 2016-11-06. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  15. "James Bundy". Yale School of Drama. Yale University. Archived from the original on 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  16. "Yale School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre Administration and Faculty". Yale School of Drama. Yale University.
  17. Connolly, Bess (February 19, 2014). "Back at Yale: Meryl Streep speaks on campus". YaleNews. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.

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