puppetmaker | Yale School of Drama Class of 1990

It is hard for me to believe but I graduated from the Yale School of Drama twenty years ago this year.

The Yale School of Drama is an interesting place. The program is three years long and it can be some of the toughest work you will do during your theatrical career. It does get you ready for what life is like in theater. After doing the Drama School, everything else seems pretty easy and you are well prepared to handle it.

When I was there Lloyd Richards was the dean of the drama School. The admin program was run by Ben Mordecia. The acting program was run by Earle Gister. The directing program was run by Dennis Scott. Technical Design and Production program was run by Ben Sammler. Design was run by Ming Cho Lee and Bill Warfel. The Stage Management program was run by Maggie (who’s last name escapes me) along with Mo Gibson as the resident stage manager at the Yale rep.

We had some interesting playwrights walk through the doors. I got to know August Wilson pretty well. I also met Athol Fugard, John Guare, and Wendy Wasserstein while I was there. I worked with Lee Breuer and many other directors there.

There are actors that were in my class that have gone on to careers in film and television. Occasionally I get pulled out of a movie or a TV show when I see an old buddy of mine from the YSD.

Can I recommend the YSD for someone who wants to further their career in theater? Well yes, but with a caveat. It is not for everyone. They are picky because they want to make sure that you can make it through the three years to get your MFA. There are still people who drop out for various reasons, but it is few and far between. We had two people drop out for very different reasons. One due to a drug problem that they couldn’t get under control. The other due to circumstances way beyond their control. If they think that you can’t cut it, they are probably right.

I came out a better stage manager than when I went in. I got to work with a lot of interesting people a couple of which I have stayed in touch with. I learned the Yale method, which I have taught to numerous stage managers since then. I learned how to deal with various departments and difficult people within those departments.

Did I get work out of being at Yale, a few gigs here and there. But the name of the Drama School did hold weight in job interviews.

Would I do it again? Looking back, yes I would. Even knowing what I know now. It wasn’t easy at the time and seemed impossible occasionally, but I did it and have the piece of paper to prove it.

If you have any questions about the program or my time there, feel free to ask.

I am grateful for all the people I met while at the Drama School.