Plan of Study

In course and production work, emphasis is placed on nurturing directorial imagination: developing every student’s ability to articulate and transform artistic vision into theatrical image and embodied action. Equal emphasis is placed on strengthening the director’s capacity for inclusive leadership. Our core courses are (a) the Directing Practicum, which engages the student in a practical exploration of theatrical composition—the relationship of form to content—through studio exercises and projects; (b) the Directing seminars, which teach practical skills in text analysis, directorial interpretation, and production preparation, using a broad range of dramatic writing, theory, and production histories as course texts; and (c) the Labs, where directors, playwrights, and actors develop their ability to collaborate creatively through exercises, scene work, and critical feedback.

The Directing program also hosts an annual opera practicum with singers from the School of Music, and, through Yale College and the School of Art, provides opportunities for students to gain an introduction to filmmaking. In addition, we welcome visiting theater artists to conduct workshops and engage in discussion throughout the year.

For course descriptions, electives, and additional information, please view the David Geffen School of Drama Bulletin.

Year One

DRAM 4b - Critical Response Process®: Liz Lerman, Paloma McGregor
DRAM 50a - The Theatrical Event: Liz Diamond, Catherine Sheehy
DRAM 51b - New Play Lab: Faculty
DRAM 53a - Authentic Collaboration: Ben Krywosz
DRAM 103a - Acting I: Gregory Wallace
DRAM 110a/b - Foundations of the Art and Craft of Directing: Eric Ting, Yuri Kordonsky
DRAM 113a - Voice I: Walton Wilson
DRAM 127a - Playwrights and Directors Practicum: Marcus Gardley, Liz Diamond
DRAM 180a - Rehearsal Practicum: Meeting the Play: Sara Holdren
DRAM 191b - Managing the Production Process: Florie Seery
DRAM 220b - Shakespeare Rep Proposal Tutorial: Sara Holdren
DRAM 330a/b - Directing Practicum: Liz Diamond, Dustin Wills, Yuri Kordonsky, and guests
DRAM 350b - The Choreographic Imagination: Emily Coates
DRAM 380b - Introduction to Shakespeare for the Director: James Bundy
DRAM 390b - Opera Practicum: Dustin Wills
DRAM 403a/b - Acting Intimacy and Combat for the Stage: Kelsey Rainwater, Michael Rossmy
DRAM 450a/b - Theater as Cultural Work: Leading With Values: Nissy Aya
DRAM 563a - Activated Analysis: Annelise Lawson

Assignments as director for School productions
Possible assignment as assistant director at the School or Yale Rep

Year Two

DRAM 37a - The Production Process: LH Festival: Anne Erbe
DRAM 112b - Introduction to Set Design: Riccardo Hernandez, Michael Yeargan
DRAM 120a - Directing II: Directorial Approaches to the Plays of Shakespeare: Karin Coonrod
DRAM 120b - Directing II: Directorial Approaches to World Performance: Awoye Timpo
DRAM 124b - Introduction to Lighting Design: Brandon Stirling Baker
DRAM 203a - Acting II: Mary Lou Rosato
DRAM 248a - Designer and Director Dialogue: Jill BC Du Boff
DRAM 290a/b - Geffen School Show Proposal Tutorial: Susanna Gellert
DRAM 330a/b - Directing Practicum: Liz Diamond, Dustin Wills, Yuri Kordonsky, and guests
DRAM 390b - Opera Practicum: Dustin Wills
DRAM 450a/b - Theater as Cultural Work: Leading With Values: Nissy Aya

Assignments as director for School productions
Possible assignment as assistant director at the School or Yale Rep

Year Three

DRAM 37a/b - The Production Process: Carlotta Festival: Anne Erbe
DRAM 130a/b - Directing III: Directorial Approaches to New Dramatic Forms: Liz Diamond
DRAM 140a/b - The Director’s Thesis: Susanna Gellert
DRAM 330a/b - Directing Practicum: Liz Diamond, Dustin Wills, Yuri Kordonsky, and guests
DRAM 350b - The Choreographic Imagination: Emily Coates
DRAM 360a/b - Bridge to the Profession: Lileana Blain-Cruz
DRAM 390b - Opera Practicum: Dustin Wills
DRAM 450a/b - Theater as Cultural Work: Leading With Values: Nissy Aya

Assignments as director for School productions

Additional Requirements for the Degree

Anti-Racist Theater Practice Requirement
Directing students are required to enroll in DRAM 450a/b, Theater as Cultural Work: Leading with Values, in order to fulfill the School’s anti-racist theater practice requirement. This course offers vital strategies for the lifelong development of individual and communal anti-racist practice.

Theater History Requirement
Directing students are required to successfully complete two term-length courses in theater history in order to fulfill the School’s theater history requirement. This may be accomplished either by enrolling in DRAM 6a/b, Survey of Theater and Drama, or, with prior approval of the program chair, by enrolling in two other theater history courses offered at the School or elsewhere within the university.

Participation in Commencement
A Directing student who has satisfactorily completed all production assignments and received a grade of Pass in all required courses, with only the Director’s Thesis Production Casebook remaining to complete, may participate in Commencement ceremonies. The degree in directing will only be conferred, however, when the Directing student has completed all requirements named above and successfully completed the Director’s Thesis Production Casebook. See DRAM 140a/b, The Director’s Thesis for details regarding completion of the production casebook.