Directing
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.
Class of 2024
Year Two (2021-2022)
DRAM 3a/b - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Directing: Karnisa (Nissy) Aya
DRAM 50a - The Theatrical Event: Liz Diamond, Catherine Sheehy
DRAM 51b - New Play Lab
DRAM 103a - Acting I: Gregory Wallace
DRAM 110a - Foundations of the Art and Craft of Directing: Yuri Kordonsky
DRAM 113a - Voice I: Midori Nakamura, Walton Wilson
DRAM 180a - Rehearsal Practicum: Meeting the Play: Yuri Kordonsky
DRAM 232a - Advanced Discussions in Directing and Scenography: Shawn Boyle
DRAM 330a/b - Directing Practicum: Lileana Blain-Cruz, Liz Diamond, Yuri Kordonsky and Guests
DRAM 380b - Introduction to Shakespeare for the Director: Explore URL
DRAM 390b - Opera Practicum: Patrick Diamond
DRAM 403a - Introduction to Combat and Intimacy for the Stage: Kelsey Rainwater, Michael Rossmy
DRAM 410a/b - Topics in Directing: Liz Diamond, Yuri Kordonsky
DRAM 863a - Authentic Collaboration: Ben Krywosz
Electives (subject to approval by chair of Directing)
Assignments as director for School of Drama productions
Possible assignment as assistant director at the School or Yale Rep
Year Three (2022-2023)
DRAM 120a/b - Directing II: Directorial Approaches to Verse Drama and New Plays: Karin Coonrod, Robert O’Hara
DRAM 124b - Introduction to Lighting Design: Alan C. Edwards
DRAM 224b - Introduction to Projection Design: Wendall K. Harrington, Shawn Boyle
DRAM 248b - Sound Designers and Directors Workshop: Matthew Suttor
DRAM 283a - Shakespeare Embodied: Daniela Varon, Walton Wilson
DRAM 290a/b - Geffen School Show Proposal Tutorial: Ethan Heard
DRAM 330a/b - Directing Practicum: Lileana Blain-Cruz, Liz Diamond, Yuri Kordonsky and Guests
DRAM 350b - The Choreographic Imagination: Emily Coates
DRAM 390b - Opera Practicum: Patrick Diamond
DRAM 410a/b - Topics in Directing: Liz Diamond, Yuri Kordonsky
Electives (subject to approval by chair of Directing)
Assignments as director for School of Drama productions
Possible assignment as assistant director at the School or Yale Rep
Year Four (2023-2024)
DRAM 130a/b Directing III: Directorial Approaches to Non-Naturalistic Writing
DRAM 140a/b The Director’s Thesis: Ethan Heard, Liz Diamond
DRAM 360a/b Bridge to the Profession: Lileana Blain-Cruz
DRAM 410a/b Topics in Directing (production discussions only): Liz Diamond, Yuri Kordonsky
Electives (subject to approval by chair of Directing)
Assignments as director for School productions
Class of 2023
Year Three (2021-2022)
DRAM 3a/b - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Directing: Karnisa (Nissy) Aya
DRAM 120a/b - Directing II: Directorial Approaches to Verse Drama and New Plays: Karin Coonrod, Robert O’Hara
DRAM 124b - Introduction to Lighting Design: Alan C. Edwards
DRAM 248b - Sound Designers and Directors Workshop: Matthew Suttor
DRAM 283a - Shakespeare Embodied: Daniela Varon, Walton Wilson
DRAM 290a/b - Geffen School Show Proposal Tutorial: Ethan Heard
DRAM 324b - The Personal Film: Exploration and Expression: Wendall K. Harrington, , Lauren Beck
DRAM 330a/b - Directing Practicum: Lileana Blain-Cruz, Liz Diamond, Yuri Kordonsky and Guests
DRAM 350b - The Choreographic Imagination: Emily Coates
DRAM 390b - Opera Practicum: Patrick Diamond
DRAM 410a/b - Topics in Directing: Liz Diamond, Yuri Kordonsky
DRAM 863a - Authentic Collaboration: Ben Krywosz
Electives (subject to approval by chair of Directing)
Assignments as director for School productions
Possible assignment as assistant director at the School or Yale Rep
Year Four (2023-2024)
DRAM 130a/b Directing III: Directorial Approaches to Non-Naturalistic Writing
DRAM 140a/b The Director’s Thesis: Ethan Heard, Liz Diamond
DRAM 360a/b Bridge to the Profession: Lileana Blain-Cruz
DRAM 410a/b Topics in Directing (production discussions only): Liz Diamond, Yuri Kordonsky
Electives (subject to approval by chair of Directing)
Assignments as director for School productions
Class of 2022
Year Four (2021-2022)
DRAM 140a/b The Director’s Thesis: Ethan Heard, Liz Diamond
DRAM 360a/b Bridge to the Profession: Lileana Blain-Cruz
DRAM 410a/b Topics in Directing (production discussions only): Liz Diamond, Yuri Kordonsky
Electives (subject to approval by chair of Directing)
Assignments as director for School productions
Production Assignments
Each year, students are given assignments as director for School of Drama productions. In the first- and second-year, students may be given an assignment as assistant director at Yale Repertory Theatre or David Geffen School of Drama.
Elective Requirement
Directors are encouraged to take elective courses as their schedules permit. Courses may be selected from other programs within the School, and elsewhere within the University, subject to approval by the chair of Directing.