Yale School of Drama traces its roots to the Yale Dramatic Association, the second oldest college theatre association in the country, founded in 1900. The "Dramat," which produced the American premieres of Albert Camus's Caligula and Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, and also produced original works by Cole Porter, Stephen Vincent Benet, and Thornton Wilder written when they were students.

This lively dramatic tradition led to the funding, in 1924, by Yale benefactor Edward S. Harkness, to establish the Department of Drama in the School of Fine Arts, and for the construction of a theater. George Pierce Baker, a teacher of playwriting , was the first chairman of the department. The first Master of Fine Arts in Drama was granted in 1931.

In 1955, the department was organized as a separate professional school, the first such in the Ivy League.

In 1966, the Yale Repertory Theatre was formed to establish further ties between the professional and academic communities. Today, Yale Drama students perform at both the Yale Rep and the Yale Caberet, which mounts fully-student productions.

Notable alumni

• Angela Bassett
• Lewis Black (1977)
• Enrico Colantoni
• Christopher Durang
• Paul Giamatti (1989)
• John Guare (1963)
• Frances McDormand
• Meryl Streep (1966)
• John Turturro
• Wendy Wasserstein (1976)
• Sigourney Weaver

External links

• Official website
• History of the Yale Dramatic Association