Prof. Ben Sammler from Yale School of Drama (YSD) gave a talk at TNUA on June 16 on theatrical production at his prestigious school.
Prof. Sammler's talk, "Theatrical Production in Yale School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre," was arranged by the TNUA Department of Theatrical Design and Technology.
Prof. Sammler, who has been chair of YSD's acclaimed Technical Design and Production Department since 1980, gave a brief introduction to the history of the drama school, and went on to explain its relationships with Yale Repertory Theatre (YRT).
YSD was established in 1924, and since then it has been devoted to training professionals in every area related to theatre: acting, design (sets, costumes, lighting, projection and sound),directing, dramaturgy and dramatic criticism, playwriting, stage management, technical design and production, and theater management.
YSD is also the cradle of YRT, an awards-winning professional theatre dedicated to the production of new plays and bold interpretations of classics. Prof. Sammler stressed that YSD and YRT are two sides of the same institution run in an e cient way. The dean of YSD is also the artistic director of YRT. Prof. Sammler himself is also in charge of two YRT production units.
He noted that most of America's theatre troupes and not-for-profit groups. YRT, with an annual budget of US$25 million – chiefly from school funding and some from outside donations and sponsorships – is looking not for profits, but at training students to become professionals in the world of theatre.
YSD currently has about 200 students, each of whom will be given an annual production schedule in which his or her specific duty for the year is clearly listed, Prof. Sammler said.