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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 LeagueThe Ivy League is an association of eight American universities, named for the ivy plants traditionally covering their older buildings. The term "Ivy League" has connotations of academic excellence as well as a certain amount of elitism. These schools are.
In 1966Events January January 1 In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa ousts president David Dacko and takes over the Central African Republic. January 2 Strike of public transportation workers in New York City ends January 13 January 3 First Acid Test at the Fil, the Yale Repertory TheatreYale Repertory Theatre at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut was founded by Robert Brustein, dean of the Yale School of Drama in 1966, with the goal of facilitating a meaningful collaboration between theatre professionals and talented students. was formed to establish further ties between the professional and academic communities.
1 Notable alumni
- Angela BassettAngela Bassett (born August 16, 1958) is an American film actress. She received a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her potrayal of Tina Turner in the film What's Love Got to Do with It''. She has been married to fellow actor Courtney B. Vance sin
- Christopher DurangChristopher Durang (born January 2 1949) is a contemporary playwright, especially popular in the 1980s, known for works of outrageous and often absurd comedy. His work often deals critically with issues of childhood abuse, Catholic culture, and homosexual
- Jodi Foster
- John Guare ( 1963Events January-March January 11 The Whisky A Go-Go night club in Los Angeles, the first disco in the USA, is opened. January 14 George Wallace becomes governor of Alabama. January 22 Elysee treaty between France and Germany January 28 Black student Harvey)
- Frances McDormandFrances McDormand (born June 23, 1957) is a character actress with TV, stage, and screen credits. She was born in Chicago, Illinois and was the youngest of three children adopted by Canadian parents Vernon (a Disciple of Christ minister) and Noreen McDorm
- Meryl StreepMeryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an actress, who by the mid- 1980s was regarded by many as the best actress of her day. Born Mary Louise Streep in Summit, New Jersey, USA, she appeared in her first film, Julia in 1977. She has won Academy Awards for h ( 1966Events January January 1 In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa ousts president David Dacko and takes over the Central African Republic. January 2 Strike of public transportation workers in New York City ends January 13 January 3 First Acid Test at the Fil)
- John Turturro
- Wendy Wasserstein ( 1976)
- Sigourney Weaver
