Theater Management

Plan of Study

In the first two years, the student enrolls in a sequence of required courses and topical workshops, researches and writes a case study on a theater organization, and is given several professional work assignments. In another distinctive feature of the program, the second-year student has the option of replacing one term in residence with a fellowship in a professional setting away from campus, selected in conjunction with the faculty.
In the third year (and fourth, if applicable) the student enrolls in four program and elective courses per term, attends a variety of topical workshops (seven sessions count as the equivalent of one course), and is given one or two professional work assignments of substantial responsibility.

Joint-Degree Program with Yale School of Management

Theater Management offers a joint-degree program with Yale School of Management, in which a student may earn both the Master of Fine Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees in four years (rather than the five years that normally would be required). A joint-degree student must meet the respective admission requirements of each school. The typical plan of study consists of two years at David Geffen School of Drama, followed by one year at the School of Management, culminating with one combined year at both schools. Candidates interested in the joint-degree option are advised to apply to both Schools before coming to Yale. Theater Management students who develop an interest in the joint-degree option while at Yale should apply to the School of Management during their first year or, at the latest, by October of their second year. Regardless of the outcome of their application, they must inform the program in January whether they will be in residence in David Geffen School of Drama in the succeeding year.

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

Year One

DRAM 3(08)a - Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Theater Management: Hope Chávez
DRAM 6a and/or b - Survey of Theater and Drama: Paul Walsh
DRAM 11a - Theater Organizations: Joshua Borenstein
DRAM 21a - Founding Visions: Joan Channick
DRAM 31a - Business Writing for Theater Managers: Joan Channick
DRAM 81a - Financial Accounting: Nancy Yao
DRAM 111a/b - Functions of Leadership: Joan Channick
DRAM 121a - Human Resources: Supporting People and Building Culture: Florie Seery
DRAM 131a - Principles of Marketing and Audience Development: Andrea Cuevas
DRAM 141b - Law and the Arts: Joan Channick
DRAM 161b - Principles of Development: Andrew Hamingson
DRAM 171b - Strategic Planning: Lisa Yancey
DRAM 181b - Financial Management: Joshua Borenstein
DRAM 191b - Managing the Production Process: Florie Seery
DRAM 411 - Workshops*

Years Two, Three, And Four (If Applicable)

DRAM 151a or b - Case Study: Joan Channick, Deborah Berman, Joshua Borenstein, Gonzalo Casals, Hope Chávez, Kelvin Dinkins, Jr., Naomi Grabel, Andrew Hamingson, Carla L. Jackson, Florie Seery, Sally Shen, Lisa Yancey, Nancy Yao
DRAM 211a - Governance: Nancy Yao
DRAM 221b - Labor and Employee Relations: Laura Penn
DRAM 231b - Advanced Topics in Marketing and Branding: Naomi Grabel, Jordan Person
DRAM 251a or b - Management Fellowship: Joan Channick
DRAM 261a - Advanced Topics in Development: Andrew Hamingson
DRAM 281b - Advanced Financial Management: Harold Wolpert
DRAM 301a/b - Management Seminar: Carla L. Jackson, Kelvin Dinkins, Jr., Roberta Pereira, David J. Roberts
DRAM 411 - Workshops*

*A total of seven workshop sessions in a term may be counted as the equivalent of one course.

Additional Requirements for the Degree

Anti-Racist Theater Practice Requirement
During the fall term of their first year, Theater Management students are required to enroll in DRAM 3(08)a, Toward Anti-Racist Theater Practice in Theater 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. All students in the program are also encouraged to participate in the ten Community Days offered each year, which include School-wide and Theater Management programming.

Theater History Requirement
Theater Management students fulfill the School’s two-term theater history requirement during their first year by enrolling in one term of DRAM 6, Survey of Theater and Drama, and DRAM 21a, Founding Visions. Students may take an additional term of DRAM 6 and other theater history courses as electives.

Elective Sequence
Electives may be selected from other programs of the School, from Yale School of Management or other professional schools, or from Yale College with the approval of the chair.

Theater Management Program Topical Workshops

  • DRAM 411(05) - Advanced Business Writing for Theater Managers
  • DRAM 411(06) - Case Writing
  • DRAM 411(07) - Case Studies
  • DRAM 411(11) - Entrepreneurship
  • DRAM 411(13) - Risk Management and Safety Culture
  • DRAM 411(21) - Nonprofit on Broadway
  • DRAM 411(27) - Real Estate
  • DRAM 411(28) - Self-Marketing
  • DRAM 411(29) - Making the Ask
  • DRAM 411(30) - Tessitura
  • DRAM 411(43) - Growth Mindset
  • DRAM 411(44) - Overview of Theater Management Professional Development System
  • DRAM 411(45) - The Manager as Coach
  • DRAM 411(46) - Giving and Receiving Feedback
  • DRAM 411(47) - Building a Deliberately Developmental Organization
  • DRAM 411(48) - Creating a Personal Development Plan