David Geffen School of Drama consists of theater professionals and students working together in a conservatory setting. Training at the School includes classes and a range of production experiences, from readings to performances at the School, Yale Repertory Theatre, and Yale Cabaret. In our aspirational environment, different perspectives and interests are welcomed and given consideration in the creation and modification of policies designed to provide the broadest and most supportive frameworks for a community of more than four hundred individuals from diverse backgrounds, whose teamwork benefits from certain detailed and shared understandings.
The common goal of School policies is to foster an equitable community with cogent and—whenever possible—transparent procedures. Policies are designed to promote a collaborative environment, in anticipation of inevitable and normal tensions and conflicts. For instance, certain legal privacy rights regarding medical conditions, student records, and matters of employment, as well as other legitimate reasons for respectful confidentiality, will militate against absolute transparency. Similarly, autonomy and accountability are often in tension: the School’s job is to guide the community to reasonable pathways for individuals and teams to work together successfully in all spaces and activities.
The bulletin conveys major policies both of the School and of Yale University. David Geffen School of Drama policies are set by the deans in consultation with the chairs of programs in all disciplines, faculty, staff, and students; in a collaborative spirit, policies are subject to review at the end of each year based on feedback from the community. University policies are set by the Officers in consultation with faculty, staff, and students and are typically communicated by the Provost’s Office.
In consideration of the continued impacts of COVID-19, David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre intend to continue in-person learning and production in 2023–2024. In accordance with the most updated public health guidance, modifications—including to the production schedule—may be required. Unless otherwise noted, all sections pertaining to production work in this bulletin refer to a typical production schedule and may be modified by the School for the 2023–2024 academic year. The contents of this bulletin are subject to change throughout the academic year. Updates will be sent via email and posted to the School’s website as applicable.
The Classroom
Students follow the curriculum of the particular program into which they were admitted. Each program in the School has a sequential series of requirements unique to its discipline and designed to develop an advanced understanding of the student’s course of study and the art of the theater.
Production Experience
Production activity is central to the training in all programs, featuring significant engagement opportunities at the School, Yale Repertory Theatre, and Yale Cabaret each season. These productions afford ample opportunities to present student work to internal and external audiences, complementing classroom instruction and allowing faculty to observe and offer feedback to students regarding their progress in training.
David Geffen School of Drama
David Geffen School of Drama typically presents six plays in productions for which tickets are sold to the general public. Three of these are selected in consultation with the Directing program; three are new plays from the Playwriting program, produced in repertory at the end of the spring term. Additional productions within the School include the Shakespeare Repertory Projects, new plays from the Playwriting program, and projects selected by the chair of the Acting program.
Yale Repertory Theatre
Yale Repertory Theatre, the internationally celebrated professional theatre-in-residence at David Geffen School of Drama, is dedicated to the production of new plays and daring interpretations of classics that make immediate connections to contemporary audiences. Professional assignments at Yale Rep are integral to training at David Geffen School of Drama. Together, the School and Yale Rep advance leaders in the practice of every theatrical discipline. Students may be assigned work at Yale Rep within their own discipline as part of their curriculum. Students also may be assigned work-study positions at Yale Rep within or outside their discipline. Yale Repertory Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and Actor’s Equity Association (AEA), the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Yale Rep also works with members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), and the Scenic, Costume, Lighting, and Sound Designers in LORT represented by United Artists Local USA-829, IATSE (USA).
Yale Rep’s artistic programs include a four-play subscription series; its new play program, the Binger Center for New Theatre, which supports the development and production of new plays and musicals at Yale Rep and nationwide; and two Youth Programs: WILL POWER! and the Dwight/Edgewood Project. Yale Rep also partners with Long Wharf Theatre to host the True Colors’ Next Narrative Monologue Competition.
WILL POWER! is Yale Rep’s annual educational initiative, designed to offer middle and high school students access to live professional theater and provide educational resources to deepen their understanding of the production they will see. Since Yale Rep’s 2003–2004 season, WILL POWER! has served more than 27,000 Connecticut students and educators. The Dwight/Edgewood Project (D/EP) is a community engagement program of Yale Rep and David Geffen School of Drama, for middle school-aged students from Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School, a K–8 school located on the edge of the Dwight and Edgewood neighborhoods in New Haven. The program pairs sixth- and seventh-graders with mentors from David Geffen School of Drama to write their own plays. The month-long program begins in late May, culminating in fully produced plays performed by the Yale mentors and presented for the New Haven community in late June.
For more information about Yale’s Binger Center for New Theatre visit https://yalerep.org/productions-programs/binger-center-for-new-theatre. For more information about Yale Rep’s Youth programs visit https://yalerep.org/productions-programs/youth-programs.
Yale Cabaret
Yale Cabaret provides students a vital environment for exploration and student-selected training opportunities within a wider range of material than can be accommodated in classroom instruction. With its own student artistic and management leadership, reporting to a board of directors comprising students and faculty, the Cabaret presents work that is entirely student-produced. It is the only area of production at the School where students regularly move out of their primary discipline of study: actors direct, managers act, and playwrights sing.
During the summer, Yale Summer Cabaret is the exploratory theatrical home for David Geffen School of Drama students. Like Yale Cabaret, it is student-run and interdisciplinary. Each season, a new artistic and management team has the opportunity to shape the theater’s vision, while collaborating with an advisory board, local donors, and the greater New Haven community.
Work Periods
The School has five work periods scheduled during the academic year. (See academic calendar.) All students are expected to be in attendance during work periods and to be engaged in production activity or other professional work at the School or Yale Repertory Theatre. Students with or without assignments should submit an absence request if they intend to be away from campus during these dates. Classes or other required academic sessions may not be scheduled during the April 30 through May 16 work period.
Resolution of Scheduling Conflicts
The community and particularly the administration attempt to avoid scheduling conflicts between the requirements of the various programs and activities, making judgments in keeping with the School’s mission and values. From time to time, such conflicts do occur. Should such a conflict arise, students are responsible for discussing the conflict with their program chair. In the event the conflict cannot be resolved by mutual agreement among the affected parties, activities shall be prioritized as follows and for the following reasons:
- Yale Repertory Theatre work, rehearsal, and performance calls as specifically detailed by production management, stage management, and/or the work-study supervisor. This priority is a gesture of respect to guest artists and an acknowledgment of our obligation to support with dignity the level of aspiration and dedication for which we have recruited them to Yale, as well as a sign of our commitment to engage the widest possible audience in the Greater New Haven community.
- David Geffen School of Drama classes, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. With limited exceptions as described above, in-person attendance at class and completion of assigned coursework is the most important consistent practice leading to students’ progress in training.
- Publicly performed productions of the School to which tickets are sold. Production is also a vital component of training: ambitious work requires our attention, and we all benefit from the exchange of spirit with audiences who are prepared to invest in shared experience.
- Other assigned production projects (acting projects, new plays, Shakespeare Repertory Projects, etc.). These shows have significant pedagogical value and also connect us to local audiences.
- Required work-study other than Yale Rep rehearsal and performance calls covered in 1. above. These calls support the mission of the School and Yale Rep, redounding to the benefit of the community as a whole.
- Yale Cabaret productions, which are extracurricular, while also engaging a public audience.
- Any formally approved outside work, affinity group meetings, events, or productions, and elective work-study.
A comprehensive production calendar is issued at the beginning of the academic year. Exceptions to the priorities do not set precedent. Work-study hours missed as a result of a resolution occurring outside of the priority order above are not eligible for conversion, should the student otherwise be qualified.
Self-Care and Wellness
The School and the University at large offer a variety of wellness resources to support students in developing personal wellness strategies.
David Geffen School of Drama’s nonclinical counselor, Krista Dobson (krista.dobson@yale.edu), is a licensed professional counselor who supports students at the School, as well as at the Schools of Architecture and Art, with short-term mental health and wellness needs including, but not limited to, development of strategies related to time and stress management, conflict resolution, social and cultural belonging, and self-care. Students are encouraged to contact Krista directly to request an appointment. Short-term support includes approximately two to five appointments. Students with long-term and/or clinical mental health needs will be referred to Yale Mental Health and Counseling Services with Krista’s support.
For more information about additional wellness resources visit https://yalewell.yale.edu as well as the Yale University Resources and Services chapter of this bulletin for health, wellness, cultural, spiritual, and recreational resources. Students are also encouraged to explore wellness resources available through the Good Life Center at Yale (https://goodlifecenteratyale.com).
Attendance
Responsible self-care is the starting point for wellness and learning. Particular consideration should be given to one’s own health and well-being. Regular attendance at scheduled classes, production assignments, rehearsals, required work-study assignments, required workshops, and School meetings is a vital practice for students to remain in good standing. Unexcused absences and/or persistent unexcused lateness are behaviors subject to disciplinary action.
Clear and timely communication also supports the community’s well-being. Students whose health needs, including medical appointments, require them to miss or be late for class should alert their professors by email, copying their program’s chair and senior administrative assistant. Students will still be responsible for the work missed, on a schedule determined by the professor.
Requests for absences that will require a student or technical intern to miss multiple classes and/or required work-study must be made in advance, using an electronic absence request form available via DGSDinfo at your.drama (https://your.drama.yale.edu), listing all classes, professional assignment(s), and required work-study assignment(s) the student or technical intern would miss during the requested absence. The completed absence request is automatically transmitted to any affected supervisors or advisers. There are cases where requests cannot be accommodated. If work-study clearance is granted, then the program chair will determine whether or not to approve the absence. If the chair approves the absence, the chair will communicate approval of the absence to the student, to all relevant faculty members and supervisors, and to the stage manager for any production in which the student is involved. Requests for absences that would interfere with existing academic work or work-study obligations will not be approved, except in extraordinary circumstances. Work-study hours missed during a planned absence are not eligible for conversion, should the student otherwise be qualified.
Rehearsal and performance calls are posted each day. Lateness for these calls must be reported to the individual in charge as soon as possible, but no later than thirty minutes before the call. Students must report illnesses or doctor’s appointments to their program’s senior administrative assistant. Persistent lateness and/or unexcused absences are considered unprofessional behavior and may result in disciplinary action or dismissal from the School.
Recess Periods and Supplemental Recess Pay
The School’s academic calendar includes four recess periods (see academic calendar) when classes are not in session but some production and administrative work may need to continue. Whenever a student is required to work during all or part of a School recess, including summer recess, because of an assignment for either a School or Yale Repertory Theatre production, or another professional work assignment (PWA), the student is eligible to be paid up to eight hours of Supplemental Recess Pay for each recess day the student is required to be present. Compensation for such work is set at the prevailing hourly work-study rate. Supplemental Recess Pay is only applicable for days a student is called to work, not for days off or days that they are not called to work.
Should the assignment not require eight hours of work per day or for the entire recess period, as determined by the program chair for program assignments and by the work-study supervisor for work-study assignments, the student may be assigned additional work in consultation with the student labor supervisor. Examples of assignments that often do not require eight hours per day or forty hours per week are: program assignments such as lighting and sound designers and dramaturgs during the design phase; production electricians and sound engineers during a build period; understudies during performance weeks; and work-study assignments such as ushers and electrics crew during performances and load-ins, respectively. In these circumstances, students are notified of any additional assignments by the student labor supervisor as early as possible.
When a student is required to work during all or part of a School recess for a required work-study assignment, the student is eligible for up to eight hours of pay for each recess day the student is required to be present through a combination of both the work-study assignment and Supplemental Recess Pay.
Supplemental Recess Pay is considered assigned work-study for the purposes of conversion requests. Further detail and direction for this policy and practice are available in the Work-Study Handbook.
Religious Observance
David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre, like most professional theaters, must operate on a number of religious holidays, including some holidays on which the rest of the University is closed.
Students whose religious beliefs impose restrictions on their availability for work, either on religious holidays or at other times, must notify their program chair and Student Labor Supervisor C. Nikki Mills at the start of the academic year, so that their religious needs can be considered in making production assignments, professional work assignments, and required work-study assignments.
Requests for absences from class for religious reasons should be submitted using the online absence request form available at https://your.drama.yale.edu.
Program Assignments
Each program assigns its students responsibilities in productions at the School and Yale Repertory Theatre. Programs may change or eliminate assignments for individual students depending upon the needs of the program. Unless otherwise announced, all members of the company and production team on School productions are obligated to strike the show.
Casting
All casting of student actors in productions at the School or at Yale Repertory Theatre, including understudy casting, is assigned by the chair of Acting and approved by the dean, based on the developmental needs of each student and on the needs of the project. The student director on a project or production prepares a cast breakdown, which is reviewed by the appropriate directing adviser before submission to the Acting chair. Student directors—or, in the case of the Carlotta Festival or Langston Hughes Festival studio productions, the playwright, director, and dramaturg—then meet to discuss the world of the play and share their production ideas with the Acting chair. The casting pool for School productions and projects consists of those acting students who have demonstrated proficiency in collaboration, professional discipline, and reliability. A student’s inability to maintain or display these practices in class, project, or production circumstances may result in the removal of that actor from the casting pool in order to provide them with an opportunity to reacquire, strengthen, or expand these skills. Once cast in a role, the student is required to fulfill that casting obligation.
Understudy Responsibilities
Understudy assignments at Yale Repertory Theatre and the School are treated seriously because they create a humane environment for actors who are ill or have family emergencies while also advancing artistry and training in the community: learning how to prepare, go on, and support someone who is going on, are key preparations for professional life. Understudies are expected to be available, and in reasonable proximity to the performance venue, for any performance at a moment’s notice. Unless at home or at another posted rehearsal, understudies must inform the stage manager of their location prior to the performance and be reachable by phone. Failure to be available to perform as an understudy is treated as a grave breach of professionalism and may be grounds for dismissal.
Rehearsals
Yale Repertory Theatre and David Geffen School of Drama maintain an open rehearsal policy, so that students, interns, faculty, and staff may benefit from observing artistic processes. Nonetheless, a reasonable number of Yale Rep rehearsals may be closed due to the needs of any particular company. Similarly, some School rehearsals may be closed, with the permission of the chair of Stage Management—whenever possible—and with notice posted in the daily call online and at the rehearsal hall. Therefore, the best practice for visitors is to reach out in advance to stage management of any production one wishes to visit: such courtesy also reduces the risk of arriving at a rehearsal that has been closed.
Rehearsals are normally scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, with earlier start times possible on Saturdays and during technical rehearsals. Sunday is normally the day off. With advance notice and approval of the dean, directors of major productions at the School may change the day off from Sunday to Saturday. Mondays may be used for fittings and other matters related to production, including technical rehearsals.
The number of rehearsal hours for any given project is set by the Acting and Directing programs. Actors are ordinarily called no more than six hours in one day for rehearsal of a School production. Actors who are double cast cannot participate in Yale Cabaret productions. A director may ordinarily rehearse a major School production no more than six hours in one day. Directors and stage managers should cooperate with each other to ensure that actors have reasonable breaks. The final week before the opening of a production may contain exceptions to these rules.
Assigned and Elective Work-Study
David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre together maintain an ambitious academic and production calendar. The combination of pedagogical aspiration and significant scope in production creates vital opportunities for training, both in a student’s own discipline and across disciplines. Such opportunities are made possible, in part, by students’ sharing responsibility for the varieties of work that support the classroom and production experience for all.
Work-study reinforces the School’s values by giving all students paid responsibility for participation in artistic, production, and administrative work in accordance with the mission of the School and Yale Repertory Theatre.
Therefore, every student and technical intern in the School (except for D.F.A. students, special students and special research fellows) is required to fulfill a minimum number of work-study hours. For the 2023–2024 year, we expect all students and interns will work a minimum of 200 assigned work-study hours. The deans, in consultation with the work-study committee and program chairs, set the number of hours devoted to required work-study jobs according to the needs of community. The student labor supervisor makes all required work-study assignments in consultation with each program chair.
Occasionally, based on the needs of the School and Yale Rep, it is possible that some students may be assigned more than 200 hours of work-study. This will be communicated to the student by the student labor supervisor via the assignments tab at https://your.drama.yale.edu/.
In addition to assigned work-study, a number of elective work-study opportunities are available at the School, Yale Repertory Theatre, and Yale Cabaret. Elective work-study hours are exclusively supplemental: they cannot be substituted for assigned work-study hours.
Students are required to be appropriately dressed for the work-study tasks at hand including required personal protective equipment (PPE) such as steel-toed work shoes, as communicated by the work-study supervisor. Failure to complete assigned work-study, outside of excused absences, is considered a breach of professionalism and may lead to academic warning or dismissal. Work-study hours missed from an absence, tardiness, delay of I-9 completion, or conflict resolution outside of the prioritized list are not eligible for conversion, should a student otherwise be qualified.
For financial aid implications of the work-study requirement, please refer to the chapter Financial Aid Policy.
Participation in Yale Cabaret
Students in all programs are encouraged to involve themselves in the Yale Cabaret, and while doing so, must avoid the creation of conflicts with any other responsibilities, including (1) Yale Repertory Theatre work, rehearsal, and performance calls; (2) David Geffen School of Drama classes, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; (3) publicly performed productions of the School to which tickets are sold; (4) other assigned production projects (acting projects, new plays, Shakespeare Repertory Projects, etc.; and (5) required work-study other than Yale Rep rehearsal and performance calls covered in (1) above. Conflicts with these priorities will not be resolved in favor of the Cabaret. Therefore, students are responsible for consulting closely with the Cabaret leadership to ensure the scope of their commitment is without such conflicts: failure to do so may result in academic warning or dismissal. Given the complexity of student schedules, approval from the chairs of the following academic programs is required in advance before a student commits to participation in the Yale Cabaret: Directing and Acting. To further ensure conflict does not occur, interested participants are encouraged to confirm their assignments with Student Labor Supervisor C. Nikki Mills before committing to a Cabaret project. No student on academic warning in any program may participate in the Cabaret.
Outside Employment
David Geffen School of Drama is a mission-driven collaborative community that depends for its highest aims and best outcomes on students’ attendance both to their own progress and to that of their colleagues, including faculty and staff. Therefore, the School discourages students from pursuing outside paid or unpaid professional work at the expense of their obligations to the community. All programs require preparation for and attendance at classes, rehearsals, work calls, and other significant events. Students in good standing who are considering outside job offers should consult with their program chair and must receive written approval from their program chair and the dean before committing to any outside work. If approved, written confirmation of approval and the details of the commitment will be shared with the student labor supervisor. Elective participation in work outside of the School, including work for the University, may be substituted for assigned work-study hours at the School; consideration will be made by the work-study committee and program chair. Measured and thoughtful plans for outside work that are communicated to the program chair and dean with timeliness and transparency are generally approved. Taking outside work without required approval is regarded as a conflict of interest and may lead to academic warning or dismissal.
Registration
Students must register prior to the beginning of classes in the fall. Students who cannot attend the scheduled fall-term registration must receive written permission from their program chair and notify the registrar in advance. All international students are required to complete a nonacademic registration with the Office of International Students and Scholars prior to the beginning of classes, in addition to the School’s registration.
All students must submit their course schedules to the registrar within one week of the first day of classes of each term and are responsible for notifying the registrar of any subsequent changes in their schedules.
Theater History Requirement
Solid grounding in theater history is a foundation for lasting creativity. Therefore, all Certificate in Drama and Master of Fine Arts candidates in the School are required to fulfill their program’s designated two terms of theater history. Information about individual program requirements is available in the section for each discipline in this bulletin. Failure to complete these courses successfully will prevent students from meeting the requirements for graduation. Students in need of course accommodations must contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at 203.432.2324 or https://sas.yale.edu to make an appointment. Reasonable accommodations are established in advance through an interactive process between the student, the course instructor, and SAS.
Anti-Racist Theater Practice Requirement
The development of anti-racist theater practice is central to the mission and values of the School and Yale Rep, as well as our goals of advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Therefore, a core component of the curriculum for all students is an introductory workshop led by faculty member Carmen Morgan and facilitators from artEquity. The workshop is titled Everyday Justice: Anti-Racism as Daily Practice and is required for all students and full-time benefitted faculty and staff. The workshop serves as an introduction to key frameworks and strategies for the development of anti-racist practice and is offered annually at orientation. Everyday Justice is also a prerequisite for anti-racist practice coursework required in all academic programs at the School. Failure to successfully complete Everyday Justice and each program’s requirement will prevent students from meeting the requirements for graduation. Information about individual program requirements in anti-racist theater practice is available in the section for each discipline in this bulletin.
Critical Response Process
Developing methods for giving and receiving feedback on works in progress is central to the curriculum of the School. Therefore, all first-year students and technical interns participate in the Critical Response Process (CRP) workshop during their first year. Devised by choreographer Liz Lerman in 1990, CRP is a structured process for getting feedback on works in progress as well as a source of tools for general communication and collaboration. Applicable for all art forms, CRP is in broad use throughout North America and Europe. In a workshop facilitated by faculty members Liz Lerman and Paloma McGregor that combines conversation, demonstration, and participation, students and technical interns will reflect on their experiences as givers and receivers of feedback and consider the role of critique in various aspects of their work. The workshop provides an opportunity to practice CRP’s four steps and the ways it puts such values as meaning, agency, inquiry, and consent into action while also considering the implications of those values for our work on stage, in rehearsal halls, and in making for more just institutions. The workshop will be scheduled by the School over two days during the spring term. Failure to successfully complete Critical Response Process will prevent students from meeting the requirements for graduation.
Community Days
Since 2021–2022, the academic calendar includes five days each term known as Community Days, where classes are suspended to allow for cross-program and/or all-school activities. Each term, classes are suspended from 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. on one Monday, one Tuesday, one Wednesday, one Thursday, and one Friday, to create time and space for joyful community connection and more opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. Historically, Community Day activities range from all-school meetings, EDI Symposia Series events, workshops and lectures, community-wide meals, and/or social gatherings. Production work continues as scheduled on these days. Please see the academic calendar for the listing of these dates. Programming updates will be sent via email to the community at the start of each semester and updated throughout the year.
Course Standards and Requirements
Each program develops its own course of study in consultation with the dean. The advantage of a small institution lies in its ability to give personal attention; students are encouraged to expand and broaden their course of study, which may encompass assigned off-campus field trips and fieldwork, with the aid of the chair of their program. A program may choose to vary specific requirements on an individual basis with the approval of the dean.
David Geffen School of Drama students may take courses for credit, audit, or the Pass/Fail option at any of the other schools at the University with the approval of the student’s adviser, program chair, and the course instructor. Students enrolling in courses at other schools are subject to all policies and deadlines of both that school and David Geffen School of Drama. Outside courses are graded according to David Geffen School of Drama policy.
Auditors must receive permission from the instructor before enrolling as an auditor, as not all faculty permit auditors in their classes. The minimum general requirement for auditing is attendance in two-thirds of the class sessions; instructors may set additional requirements for auditing their classes.
David Geffen School of Drama courses are open only to students in the program offering the courses, unless otherwise specified in this bulletin.
Grading
Except where noted, courses at the School are offered on a Pass/Fail basis. Grades are posted at the end of each term to the student’s private Yale Hub student account at https://yub.yale.edu. Students are responsible for reviewing their grades at the end of each term. At the discretion of the instructor, courses in Stage Management and Technical Design and Production may be offered as Honors (92–100), High Pass (82–91), Pass (75–81), Fail (below 75), Withdrew Pass (WP), Withdrew Fail (WF). In Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism, the comprehensive exam process and Criticism Workshop courses are offered as: Honors+ (98 and above), Honors (95–97), Honors- (92–94), High Pass+ (88–91), High Pass (85–87), High Pass- (82–84), Pass+ (78–81), Pass (75–77), Fail (below 75), Withdrew Pass (WP), Withdrew Fail (WF). All other courses in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism will be offered on a Pass/Fail basis, though students may request to be graded on the scale noted above.
Should a student fail to complete all required course work by the end of a term, an instructor may give a grade of Incomplete. However, the student is required to complete the remaining course work within one month of the end of the term. If, for good reason, the student is unable to complete the course requirements during the allotted time, the student may petition the instructor for an extension. If, after the allotted time or the period of extension, the course requirements are not met, the grade of Incomplete will be converted to a grade of Permanent Incomplete.
A student may withdraw from a required course only with permission of the program chair.
Evaluation and Support
Students are evaluated on the basis of their application to training, development of craft, academic and production performance, and professionalism, which in all disciplines is characterized by commitment, integrity, reliability, communication, and collaboration.
The faculty shall regularly evaluate each student’s progress and standing. A student who fails to meet all the requirements of the program and to progress appropriately in the criteria noted above may be placed on academic warning or be dismissed at any time despite having achieved passing grades in all course work. Academic warning is most often preceded by an informal notice of academic concern by the student’s program chair along with resources and support for improvement. If the academic concern is not remedied, the student will be issued an academic warning. See sections on Notice of Academic Warning and Grounds for Dismissal below.
For further information on requirements specific to each program, carefully refer to program descriptions detailed in this bulletin.
Students who have satisfactorily completed their course of study and have successfully fulfilled all non-classroom requirements of their program are recommended by a majority vote of the faculty to receive the Certificate in Drama, M.F.A., or D.F.A., conferred by the President and Fellows of Yale University.
Notice of Academic Warning
Academic warning may be given to students when the faculty expresses serious reservations about the ability or willingness of the student to meet the requirements of the student’s program when evaluated by the criteria noted above.
Notice of an academic warning to any student shall be given in a formal meeting with the dean, associate dean, or assistant dean, and the student’s program chair. The student is encouraged to bring to the meeting a trusted faculty member or another adviser selected from the administration of the School. Following the meeting, the student receives written confirmation of the student’s academic status, the reasons for the warning, and the improvement and School support required for remediation within a defined time frame to have this warning removed. Students on academic warning may not participate in the Yale Cabaret. The vast majority of students who receive such warning are successful in making the required adjustments and go on to complete the program successfully.
Failure to remediate the academic warning within the time frame may lead to dismissal. See Grounds for Dismissal below.
Grounds for Dismissal
Students who, in the judgment of the program chair and the deans, are not achieving appropriate standards of professional practice in their art, craft, or discipline, or meeting the requirements of their program when evaluated by the criteria noted above under Evaluation, may be dismissed, whether or not they are on academic warning.
Serious breaches of David Geffen School of Drama or Yale University policy, including failure to meet class requirements or program or required work-study assignments (such as persistent lateness to and/or unprofessional behavior in production, and the like), may lead to immediate dismissal of a student who is not currently on academic warning.
Once dismissed, a student is not eligible for readmission.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
All David Geffen School of Drama students who are receiving Title IV funds must meet the stipulated policies and guidelines detailed above for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Title IV funds are federal student aid funds, which are from federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Federal aid recipients are required to be in good standing and to maintain SAP toward their degree requirements each term in which they are enrolled. SAP is evaluated at the end of the fall and spring terms. Failure to maintain satisfactory progress may result in the loss of financial aid eligibility.
Leaves of Absence
Students are expected to follow a continuous course of study at David Geffen School of Drama. A student who wishes or needs to interrupt study temporarily may request a leave of absence. There are three types of leave—personal, medical, and parental—all of which are described below. The general policies that apply to all types of leave are:
- Leave of absence application forms are available from the registrar’s office at the School.
- All leaves of absence must be approved by the appropriate program chair and the dean. Medical leaves also require the recommendation of a physician on the staff of Yale Health. See Medical Leave of Absence below.
- A student may be granted a leave of absence for one, two, or three terms. A student is not normally granted a leave of absence to take on a professional commitment.
- International students who apply for a leave of absence must consult with OISS regarding their visa status.
- A student on leave of absence may complete outstanding work in courses for which extensions have been granted. The student may not, however, fulfill any other degree requirements during the time on leave.
- A student on a leave of absence is not eligible for financial aid, including loans; and in most cases, student loans are not deferred during periods of non-enrollment.
- A student on a leave of absence is not eligible for the use of any University facilities normally available to registered students.
- A student on a leave of absence is not eligible for coverage by Yale Health Basic or Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Coverage. Coverage terminates the day the leave is granted. In order to secure continuous coverage through Yale Health, a student must request enrollment in Yale Health Affiliate Coverage and pay the premium prior to the beginning of the term for which the leave is taken. If a leave of absence is granted during the term, the student must request Yale Health Affiliate Coverage enrollment within thirty days of the date the registrar is notified of the leave. Applications are available from the Yale Health Member Services Department, 55 Lock Street (203.432.0246), or can be downloaded from the Yale Health website (http://yalehealth.yale.edu). David Geffen School of Drama will cover the cost of Yale Health Affiliate Coverage for students on medical leave, for up to three terms.
- A student on leave of absence does not have to file a formal application for readmission. However, the student must notify the registrar in writing of the intention to return at least eight weeks prior to the end of the approved leave. In addition, if the returning student wishes to be considered for financial aid, the student must submit appropriate financial aid applications to the School’s financial aid office to determine eligibility. For returns from medical leaves of absence, see Medical Leave of Absence below.
- A student on leave of absence who does not return at the end of an approved leave, and does not request and receive an extension by the student’s chair and the dean, is automatically dismissed from the School.
Personal Leave of Absence
A student who is current with degree requirements and wishes to interrupt study temporarily because of personal exigencies may request a personal leave of absence. The general policies governing leaves of absence are described above. A student is eligible for a personal leave after satisfactory completion of at least one term of study. Personal leaves cannot be granted retroactively, and normally are not approved after the tenth day of a term.
To request a personal leave of absence, a student must complete the form available in the registrar’s office before the beginning of the term for which the leave is requested, explaining the reasons for the proposed leave, and stating both the proposed start and end dates of the leave, and the address at which the student can be reached during the period of the leave.
If the chair of the program finds the student to be eligible, and the dean approves, the leave is granted. In any case, the student is informed in writing of the action taken. A student who does not apply for a personal leave of absence, or who applies for a leave but is not granted one, and who does not register for any term, is considered to have withdrawn from the School.
Medical Leave of Absence
A student who must interrupt study temporarily because of illness or injury may be granted a medical leave of absence with the approval of the appropriate program chair and the dean, on the written recommendation of a physician on the staff of Yale Health. The final decision concerning a request for a medical leave of absence is communicated in writing from the department chair and the dean.
The general policies governing leaves of absence are described above. A student who is making satisfactory progress toward degree requirements is eligible for a medical leave any time after matriculation. David Geffen School of Drama will cover the cost of Yale Health Affiliate Coverage for students on medical leave, for up to three terms.
The School reserves the right to place a student on a mandatory medical leave of absence when, on recommendation of the director of Yale Health or the chief of the Mental Health and Counseling department, the dean of the School determines that, because of a medical condition, the student is a danger to self or others, the student has seriously disrupted others in the student’s residential or academic communities, or the student has refused to cooperate with efforts deemed necessary by Yale Health and the dean to make such determinations. Each case will be assessed individually based on all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the level of risk presented and the availability of reasonable modifications. Reasonable modifications do not include fundamental alterations to the student’s academic, residential, or other relevant communities or programs; in addition, reasonable modifications do not include those that unduly burden University resources.
An appeal of such a leave must be made in writing to the dean of the School no later than seven days from the effective date of the leave.
An incident that gives rise to voluntary or mandatory leave of absence may also result in subsequent disciplinary action.
A student who is placed on medical leave during any term has tuition adjusted according to the same schedule used for withdrawals. (See Tuition Rebate and Refund Policy in the chapter Tuition.) Before re-registering, a student on medical leave must secure written permission to return from a physician at Yale Health.
Leave of Absence for Parental Responsibilities
A student who is making satisfactory progress toward degree requirements and wishes or needs to interrupt study temporarily for reasons of pregnancy, maternity care, or paternity care, may be granted a leave of absence for parental responsibilities. Any student planning to have or care for a child is encouraged to meet with the student’s program chair and the dean to discuss leaves and other short-term arrangements. For many students, short-term arrangements, rather than a leave of absence, are possible. The general policies governing all leaves are described above. A student who is making satisfactory progress toward degree requirements is eligible for parental leave of absence any time after matriculation.
Students living in University housing units are encouraged to review their housing contract and the related polices of the Graduate Housing Office before applying to the School for a parental leave of absence. Students granted a parental leave may continue to reside in University housing to the end of the academic term for which the leave was first granted, but no longer.
Withdrawal
Students and technical interns who wish to end their program of study should submit the appropriate withdrawal form to the registrar. Normally, a student or intern who has chosen to withdraw is eligible to apply for readmission. A student or intern who is asked to withdraw by the faculty, or is dismissed by the School, is not eligible to apply for readmission. Refer to Eligibility Changes, under Health Services, in the chapter Yale University Resources and Services, regarding Yale Health premium refunds, and coverage, if applicable.
U.S. Military Leave Readmissions Policy
Students who wish or need to interrupt their studies to perform U.S. military service are subject to a separate U.S. military leave readmissions policy. In the event a student withdraws or takes a leave of absence from David Geffen School of Drama to serve in the U.S. military, the student will be entitled to guaranteed readmission under the following conditions:
- The student must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces for a period of more than thirty consecutive days.
- The student must give advance written or oral notice of such service to the appropriate dean. In providing the advance notice the student does not need to indicate an intent to return. This advance notice need not come directly from the student, but rather, can be made by an appropriate officer of the U.S. Armed Forces or official of the U.S. Department of Defense. Notice is not required if precluded by military necessity. In all cases, this notice requirement can be fulfilled at the time the student seeks readmission, by submitting an attestation that the student performed the service.
- The student must not be away from the School to perform U.S. military service for a period exceeding five years (this includes all previous absences to perform U.S. military service but does not include any initial period of obligated service). If a student’s time away from the School to perform U.S. military service exceeds five years because the student is unable to obtain release orders through no fault of the student or the student was ordered to or retained on active duty, the student should contact the appropriate dean to determine if the student remains eligible for guaranteed readmission.
- The student must notify the School within three years of the end of the U.S. military service of the intention to return. However, a student who is hospitalized or recovering from an illness or injury incurred in or aggravated during the U.S. military service has up until two years after recovering from the illness or injury to notify the School of the intent to return.
- The student cannot have received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or have been sentenced in a court-martial.
A student who meets all of these conditions will be readmitted for the next term, unless the student requests a later date of readmission. Any student who fails to meet one of these requirements may still be readmitted under the general readmission policy but is not guaranteed readmission.
Upon returning to the School, the student will resume education without repeating completed course work for courses interrupted by U.S. military service. The student will have the same enrolled status last held and with the same academic standing. For the first academic year in which the student returns, the student will be charged the tuition and fees that would have been assessed for the academic year in which the student left the institution. Yale may charge up to the amount of tuition and fees other students are assessed, however, if veteran’s education benefits will cover the difference between the amounts currently charged other students and the amount charged for the academic year in which the student left.
In the case of a student who is not prepared to resume studies with the same academic status at the same point at which the student left or who will not be able to complete the program of study, the School will undertake reasonable efforts to help the student become prepared. If after reasonable efforts, the School determines that the student remains unprepared or will be unable to complete the program, or after the School determines that there are no reasonable efforts it can take, the School may deny the student readmission.
Commencement
All candidates on whom degrees or certificates are to be conferred must be present at the Commencement exercises unless excused for urgent reasons by their program chair with the approval of the dean. Requests to be excused from Commencement must be submitted by May 1, 2024.
Transcripts
The registrar of David Geffen School of Drama maintains academic transcripts of current and former students. Transcripts are issued by the registrar only by written request from the student or former student, and only if the student has no outstanding debts to the School or the University. Students may review their grades posted on their Yale Hub student account at https://yub.yale.edu. Students may order official transcripts directly through the School’s transcript provider, Parchment.
Student Records
The registrar of David Geffen School of Drama maintains academic records on each enrolled student. The following types of academic records are maintained: the application for admission and supporting documents such as standardized test scores, transcripts of undergraduate or other prior study, and letters of recommendation; registration forms, grade reports, course schedules, petitions filed by the student, and any other documents or correspondence pertaining to the student’s academic work or status within the School. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment, governs access to the academic records. The current FERPA policy statement can be found at https://registrar.yale.edu/rights-privacy/student-rights-under-ferpa. The statement has two chief purposes: the first is to describe the nature of a student’s right to review the student’s educational record; the second is to describe the University’s policy of confidentiality in the maintenance of student records.
Freedom of Expression
David Geffen School of Drama is committed to the protection of free inquiry and expression in the classroom and throughout the school community. In this, the School reflects the University’s commitment to and policy on freedom of expression as stated in the Woodward Report (Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression at Yale, 1974). See https://studentlife.yale.edu/guidance-regarding-free-expression-and-peaceable-assembly-students-yale.
Audio, Video, and Photographic Recording Policy
The purpose of this policy is to set forth expectations regarding the audio, video, and photographic recording of classes, meetings, or other conversations at the School, at School-sponsored events, or between members of our community. For policies regarding theatrical production photos and performance recordings, please refer to the School’s Production Handbook, which is available at https://dgsdinfo.yale.edu/handbooks-guides.
It is expected that faculty, staff, students, interns, and invited guests will respect the privacy of other individuals in the workplace and in educational settings. Therefore, the School prohibits the surreptitious use of audio, video, and photographic recording devices in its buildings and at any School-sponsored meetings, gatherings, and/or events. Recording devices may only be used in an open, conspicuous manner so that it is apparent to all parties that a recording is being made. This prohibition on surreptitious recordings is intended to protect the privacy of community members and to avoid inhibiting the free exchange of ideas.
Planned recording of class sessions by faculty members must be communicated to students in writing through the course syllabus. All students and other participants in a class or educational activity that will be recorded must be informed of the recording in advance. Recordings shall only be shared with students enrolled in the course and will be deleted at the end of the course. Recordings shall not be publicly shared, such as on the Internet or in public viewings, without the written consent of the instructor and others being recorded. Students must obtain their instructors’ written permission before recording course content, such as lectures, discussions, presentations, critiques, or performances. Students seeking to record course content as a reasonable accommodation for a disability must work with Student Accessibility Services to obtain permission to record, and also agree not to disseminate the content.
All official photography and video recording of Yale Rep and School productions and other campus activity will follow the rules set forth by the Actors’ Equity Association agreement. In addition, all students are expected to sign photo releases.
Photographs of every Yale Rep and DGSD production will be taken by a professional photographer during a designated dress rehearsal. In addition, the School routinely schedules professional photography and video recording of classes, rehearsals, and other administrative and production work, in support of institutional communications, marketing, and archival purposes. In accordance with the AEA agreement, at least twenty-four hours’ notice is given for all photography and video work on campus whenever possible.
All DGSD and YRT photography and video recording are arranged and archived by the Marketing and Communications Department. Photo libraries are available to students for portfolio purposes throughout the year. For detailed information about the production photography and video-recording policy, please refer to the Production Handbook.
Respect in Our Workplace Protocol
David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre (School/YRT) depend upon respect and transparency as the basis for all collaborations and working relationships. The School/YRT support and aim to foster an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, civil, respectful, and open-minded culture so that all of us can live and work in an environment free of harassment, bias-motivated behaviors, and unfair treatment. We strive to create a psychologically safe environment in which to examine and dramatize topics that are controversial, complex, and provocative.
The School/YRT expect all community members including employees, students, staff, faculty, interns, guest artists, independent contractors, and visitors to refrain from actions or behaviors that intimidate, humiliate, or demean persons or groups or that undermine their security based on traits related to race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or other category protected by state or federal law.
The School/YRT adhere to Yale University’s philosophy that all community members should enjoy an environment free of any form of harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, or intimate partner violence. While working and studying at, or visiting, the School/YRT, all community members may make use of the University’s resources available to prevent, report, and respond to sexual misconduct. An overview of policies, definitions, and resources is published in this bulletin and posted in each of our buildings.
The School/YRT are committed to providing a working environment where community members are listened to and taken seriously. If you see or experience any form of discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct, we encourage you to report it immediately by following the process below.
Resolution may take many forms including, if you feel comfortable doing so, to first directly address the individual(s) involved. This initial communication tactic helps to foster an honest and open community.
How to Report Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct to the School/YRT
To make a formal report of an incident of discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct to the School/YRT, you may contact your immediate supervisor, the head of your program, or any of the staff members listed here: Trinh DiNoto, director of human resources (trinh.dinoto@yale.edu, 475.238.4520); Carla Jackson, assistant dean/general manager/Title IX coordinator/discrimination and harassment resource coordinator (carla.jackson@yale.edu, 203.432.1517); Florie Seery, associate dean/managing director (florie.seery@yale.edu, 917.744.0400); James Bundy, dean/artistic director (james.bundy@yale.edu, 203.668.7335).
Please note that employees of the School/YRT are required to notify a University Title IX coordinator about the facts of any sexual harassment or sexual misconduct incident reported. You may choose to request confidentiality from the University. We encourage you to report any discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct as soon as possible, either in writing or in person. See Resources on Sexual Misconduct in the chapter Yale University Resources and Services for more information.
You will not be penalized for reporting We are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for any member of our community who reports discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct, either during or after their time with the School/YRT. No one, including your peers, supervisor, or another manager, will be permitted to retaliate against you, in future hiring choices or otherwise.
What you should do if the behavior is recurring after it has already been reported If discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct reoccurs after you have made a report, it is particularly important that you report it again immediately. Do not wait until you cannot tolerate the behavior any longer. The School/YRT are determined to stop any discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct immediately, and we cannot know that it is continuing without your report.
In following these guidelines, we believe our community can best uphold the mission and values of the School and YRT and be an inspiration for all those committed to this art form.
Behavior Subject to Disciplinary Action
Students at David Geffen School of Drama freely associate themselves with the University, and in doing so affirm their commitment to the University’s principles of honesty and academic integrity. They are expected to abide by all University regulations, as well as local, state, and federal laws. The forms of behavior subject to disciplinary action include, but are not limited to:
- Cheating and plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism are understood to include all forms of misrepresentation in academic and professional work. Yale University policies on cheating and plagiarism may be found at https://provost.yale.edu/policies/academic-integrity/dealing-allegations-academic-misconduct.
- Illegal activity: Any activity illegal by state or federal statutes is not permitted on or off campus and will be subject to prosecution.
- Illegal behaviors directed against the University or the University community.
- Possession or use of explosives or weapons on University property. Note: the use of stage weapons and stage violence and combat in School/YRT classes and theater productions is governed by the School/YRT Stage Weapons Use Policy and the School/YRT Fight/Violence Policy.
- Drug and alcohol use: Drinking alcohol or using drugs during class, rehearsal, or performance hours, and/or attending class or rehearsal or performing production work, assigned or elective work-study under the influence of alcohol or drugs, are unprofessional behaviors creating an unacceptable risk to safety and the artistic process. Students who engage in such behavior are subject to disciplinary action or dismissal from the School of Drama.
- Persistent unprofessional behavior including but not limited to recurring lateness and/or unexcused absences from required School/YRT classes, rehearsals, performances, and work calls; and violation of the Respect in Our Workplace Protocol and/or other School/YRT and Yale University policies.
Emergency Suspension
The dean of David Geffen School of Drama, or a delegate of the dean, may place a student on an emergency suspension from residence or academic status when (1) the student has been arrested for or charged with serious criminal behavior by law enforcement authorities; or (2) the student allegedly violated a disciplinary rule of David Geffen School of Drama and the student’s presence on campus poses a significant risk to the safety or security of members of the community.
Following an individualized risk and safety analysis, the student will be notified in writing of the emergency suspension. A student who is notified of an emergency suspension will have 24 hours to respond to the notice. The emergency suspension will not be imposed prior to an opportunity for the student to respond unless circumstances warrant immediate action for the safety and security of members of the community. In such cases, the student will have an opportunity to respond after the emergency suspension has been imposed.
When a student in David Geffen School of Drama is placed on an emergency suspension, the matter will be referred for disciplinary action in accordance with school policy. Such a suspension may remain in effect until disciplinary action has been taken with regard to the student; however, it may be lifted earlier by action of the dean or dean’s delegate, or by the disciplinary committee after a preliminary review.
Grievance Procedures
In general, students with a complaint or grievance should see their program chair. If the complaint or grievance pertains to their program chair, students should bring their concern directly to the dean.
David Geffen School of Drama’s Procedure for Student Complaints
David Geffen School of Drama’s procedure for student complaints governs cases in which a student has a complaint, including but not limited to a complaint of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, against a member of the faculty or administration of the School, as well as complaints that involve misapplication of School policy.
Such complaints are reviewed by the Dean’s Advisory Committee on Student Grievances, which is appointed ad hoc and is composed of five members including at least two members of the faculty and one student. Complaints should be brought to the dean’s attention as soon as possible after the action giving rise to a complaint. Complaints involving misapplication of School policy should be brought to the dean’s attention no later than forty-five days after that action. (If a complaint is in some manner associated with the conduct of a course, the complaint must be submitted within forty-five days of the action upon which it is based, but the student may request that no action be taken on the complaint until after the conclusion of the term in which the course has been offered.)
David Geffen School of Drama Student Government
David Geffen School of Drama Student Government (SDSG) strives to enhance the educational experience of each student by being a forum for students’ ideas and concerns; acting as a liaison between students and the faculty and administration; and promoting educational and social activities that help foster a strong sense of community within the School.
David Geffen School of Drama Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Symposia Series
The EDI Symposia Series is an ongoing effort that welcomes the attendance of all David Geffen School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre community members, to explore topics related to anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion in pedagogy and professional practice, providing opportunities for the cross-pollination of ideas and discourse between the School, Yale Rep, and the greater theater community. Distinguished guest panelists and presenters are curated by a steering committee including faculty, staff, and students who identify topics of interest and relevance to the community. The committee invites individuals with a relationship with, expertise in, and unique perspective on the chosen subject matter to give a presentation or participate in a discussion panel. The symposia are an opportunity to amplify the identities and perspectives of those who have historically been underrepresented, so that we can center their and others’ experiences. Each session includes an opportunity for the community to engage with the guests in a question-and-answer session.
Several academic programs also host pertinent lecture series that are open to the entire School and Yale Rep community. Please see the Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism chapter of this bulletin for a description of Hot Topics. Additional open workshops, panels, and lectures will be announced via email to the full School and Yale Rep community.
David Geffen School of Drama Affinity Groups
David Geffen School of Drama Affinity Groups empower coalition building and networking among students who share common interests, goals, and/or a self-identified background.
ActOUT strives to create, foster, and strengthen bonds between LGBTQIA students and faculty within the School and to support theater that speaks to queer identity and issues. Through engagement with historical and contemporary queer theater practice and practitioners, ActOUT advocates for the visibility of queer students, faculty, art, and artists.
A.M.P.: Analyzing and Mobilizing Privilege, founded in 2015, is a learning group that aims to unpack privilege and leverage it to ignite necessary change. A.M.P. strives to support affinity groups and all members of the School community, and to provide a safe place where people can ask questions, challenge one another, and set changes in motion.
Beyond Borders, founded in 2019, aims to raise awareness of, to support, and to empower the international community regardless of citizenship status at the School. It cultivates global perspectives at the School by celebrating international experiences and bringing in diverse understandings of culture, identity, and aesthetics. Beyond Borders is a welcoming space for international community members as well as anyone experiencing culture shock in their life at the School, to share experiences, frustrations, joys, and hopes.
DEFY: Disability Empowerment for Yale (DGSD) is a disability affinity group founded in 2018. DEFY uses the term disability purposefully and politically. Disability is a condition imposed by cultures that actively disable variant bodies and minds. DEFY exists to create accessible spaces of community and support by and for the disabled community of the School. It advocates for stories of disability on the stage and for disabled voices in the room. In all of its work DEFY acknowledges that disability identities are intertwined with race, gender, sexuality, citizenship, age, religion, and class, and it strives to hold space for discussion and action that piece through these intersections and honor their complexities.
El Colectivo, founded in 2015, is a collectively organized ensemble for Latinx, Latin American, and allied School members to unite expressions of Latinidad under one roof to uplift themselves, their art, and their communities in conocimiento.
FOLKS, founded in 1981, exists to cultivate solidarity, legacy, and high-risk artistry among the black artists at the School; it honors their rich history and informs the culture of the School for the next generation of black artists through performances, activism, and discussion.
New Leaf is the Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) coalition of students and alumni at David Geffen School of Drama. Originally founded in 2015 as Asian Potluck for our rich history of gathering around food, we renamed the coalition New Leaf in 2022 to acknowledge the vast array of AAPI experiences. Our mission is to foster an inclusive community of AAPI artists and thinkers; empower AAPI voices, dreams, and questions; and build networks of AAPI artists. Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander experiences and cultures are often collapsed, misrepresented, and made invisible. We seek to support one another as socially and politically engaged artists and activists, while understanding that the AAPI identity is a label that is often imposed on us en masse despite our linguistic, cultural, and experiential differences.
People of Marginalized Genders (PMG) seeks to provide a platform for the spectrum of voices of cis women, trans women, non-binary people, and those of nonconforming genders. We uplift our BIPOC and LGBTQ members and recognize the disproportionate injustice they face. PMG is committed to hosting productive conversations about gender in the industry and at the School, advocating for people of marginalized genders as individuals, artists, and equal members of society through the medium of theater and by raising awareness of their issues, challenges, and victories—yesterday, today, and in the future. We honor the history of our founding in 2015 as Womxn’s Voices in Theatre and remain committed to evolving as necessary to ensure PMG is an inclusive, intersectional, and essential affinity space at the School.
For complete group descriptions, including any changes to mission statements or group names that occur during the academic year please visit https://www.drama.yale.edu/about-us/student-life.