Stage Management
Plan of Study
The rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum consists of required courses and electives that provide a wide range of knowledge and training essential for today’s professional. In addition to the classroom requirements, students are assigned stage management positions for productions at David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre. Stage managers are introduced to mentoring best practices, and they are regularly given opportunities to mentor classmates throughout their production assignments. The curricular and production components are structured to prepare the student for work in the commercial, regional, and nontraditional arenas. Many graduates combine their professional practice with formal educational positions such as lecturer and professor. The program of study is devoted to dismantling historic stage management practices that have upheld systems of oppression. Students are encouraged to integrate anti-racism into their daily practice and foster a culture of inclusion where change, flexibility, and adaptability are an ever-present part of the production process.
For course descriptions, electives, and additional information, please view the David Geffen School of Drama Bulletin.
Class of 2025
Year One (2022-2023)
DRAM 3(06)a/b - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Stage Management:
DRAM 6a/b - Survey of Theater and Drama: Paul Walsh
DRAM 21a - Founding Visions: Joan Channick
DRAM 40a/b - Principles of Stage Management: Narda E. Alcorn
DRAM 59a - Creating a Positive Theater Safety Culture: Anna Glover
DRAM 80a - Stage Combat and Intimacy for Stage Managers: Kelsey Rainwater, Michael Rossmy
DRAM 100a/b - Stage Management Seminar: Process and Practice: Narda E. Alcorn, Laura Brown-MacKinnon, Diane DiVita, James Mountcastle
DRAM 102a - Introduction to Set Design and Design Techniques: Maruti Evans, Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams
DRAM 149a - Production Planning: Jonathan Reed
DRAM 158a - Introduction to Sound Design: Sadah Espii Proctor
DRAM 700a/b - Stage Management Forum: The Artistic Process: Narda E. Alcorn, and other professional program lecturers
Production assignments as assigned
Year Two (2023-2024)
DRAM 3(06)a/b - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Stage Management:
DRAM 60a - Professional Stage Management Practice in the Equity Agreement: James Mountcastle
DRAM 60b - Professional Stage Management Practice in Performance: James Mountcastle
DRAM 80a - Stage Combat and Intimacy for Stage Managers: Kelsey Rainwater, Michael Rossmy
DRAM 124a - Introduction to Lighting Design: Alan C. Edwards
DRAM 141b - Law and the Arts: Joan Channick
DRAM 189a - Costume Production: Christine Szczepanski
DRAM 191b - Managing the Production Process: Florie Seery
DRAM 200a/b - Stage Management Seminar: Process and Practice: Narda E. Alcorn, Laura Brown-MacKinnon, Diane DiVita, James Mountcastle
DRAM 600a/b - Theory-Guided Stage Management Practice: Narda E. Alcorn
DRAM 700a/b - Stage Management Forum: The Artistic Process: Narda E. Alcorn, and other professional program lecturers
DRAM 800a/b - The Call: Yale Rep Stage Management Staff Seminar: James Mountcastle
One required electives with chair approval
Production assignments as assigned
Year Three (2024-2025)
DRAM 3(06)a/b - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Stage Management:
DRAM 80a - Stage Combat and Intimacy for Stage Managers: Kelsey Rainwater, Michael Rossmy
DRAM 300a/b - Stage Management Seminar: Process and Practice: Narda E. Alcorn, Laura Brown-MacKinnon, Diane DiVita, James Mountcastle
DRAM 400a - Stage Management for the Commercial Theater: Laura Brown-MacKinnon
DRAM 400b - Current Stage Management Practice: Diane DiVita
DRAM 500a/b - The Stage Manager’s Thesis: Narda E. Alcorn
DRAM 700a/b - Stage Management Forum: The Artistic Process: Narda E. Alcorn, and other professional program lecturers
DRAM 800a/b - The Call: Yale Rep Stage Management Staff Seminar: James Mountcastle
Three required elective with chair approval
Production assignments as assigned
Class of 2024
Year Three (2022-2023)
DRAM 3(06)a/b - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Stage Management:
DRAM 80a - Stage Combat and Intimacy for Stage Managers: Kelsey Rainwater, Michael Rossmy
DRAM 189a - Costume Production: Christine Szczepanski
DRAM 200a/b - Stage Management Seminar: Process and Practice: Narda E. Alcorn, Laura Brown-MacKinnon, Diane DiVita, James Mountcastle
DRAM 400a - Stage Management for the Commercial Theater: Laura Brown-MacKinnon
DRAM 400b - Current Stage Management Practice: Diane DiVita
DRAM 500a/b - The Stage Manager’s Thesis: Narda E. Alcorn
DRAM 700a/b - Stage Management Forum: The Artistic Process: Narda E. Alcorn, and other professional program lecturers
DRAM 800a/b - The Call: Yale Rep Stage Management Staff Seminar: James Mountcastle
Three required electives with chair approval
Production assignments as assigned
Year Four (2023-2024)
DRAM 3(06)a/b - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Stage Management:
DRAM 300a/b - Stage Management Seminar: Process and Practice: Narda E. Alcorn, Laura Brown-MacKinnon, Diane DiVita, James Mountcastle
DRAM 500a/b - The Stage Manager’s Thesis: Narda E. Alcorn
DRAM 700a/b - Stage Management Forum: The Artistic Process: Narda E. Alcorn, and other professional program lecturers
DRAM 800a/b - The Call: Yale Rep Stage Management Staff Seminar: James Mountcastle
Production assignments as assigned
Class of 2023
Year Four (2022-2023)
DRAM 3(06)a/b - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Stage Management:
DRAM 300a/b - Stage Management Seminar: Process and Practice: Narda E. Alcorn, Laura Brown-MacKinnon, Diane DiVita, James Mountcastle
DRAM 500a/b - The Stage Manager’s Thesis: Narda E. Alcorn
DRAM 700a/b - Stage Management Forum: The Artistic Process: Narda E. Alcorn, and other professional program lecturers
DRAM 800a/b - The Call: Yale Rep Stage Management Staff Seminar: James Mountcastle
Production assignments as assigned
Additional Requirements for the Degree
Anti-Racist Theater Practice Requirement
Stage Management students are required to enroll in DRAM 3(06)a/b, Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Stage Management, in order to fulfill the School’s anti-racist theater practice requirement. Combined with the prerequisite workshop, Everyday Justice: Anti-Racism as Daily Practice, this course offers vital strategies for the lifelong development of individual and communal anti-racist practice.
Theater History Requirement
Stage Management 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.
Required Elective Sequence
A total of four electives are required after year one from the suggested list of elective courses, other Yale professional schools, or Yale College. All required electives must be approved by the chair.
Suggested electives:
- DRAM 11a - Theater Organizations
- DRAM 111a - Functions of Leadership: Organizational Direction
- DRAM 115a - Introduction to Costume Design
- DRAM 119b - Electricity
- DRAM 121a - Human Resources: Supporting People and Building Culture
- DRAM 158b - Recording Arts
- DRAM 169a - Shop Technology
- DRAM 169b - Stage Rigging Techniques
- DRAM 199b - Professional Development for Technical Managers
- DRAM 209a - Physics of Stage Machinery
- DRAM 209b - Hydraulics and Pneumatics
- DRAM 221b - Labor and Employee Relations
- DRAM 224a - Introduction to Projection Design
- DRAM 249a - Technical Management I
- DRAM 249b - Technical Management II
- DRAM 253a - Commedia.