Yale Drama School Celebrates 100 Years of Theater Education

Exhibition highlights century-long history of David Geffen School of Drama

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The latest edition of Humanitas, a column focused on the arts and humanities at Yale, presents an exhibition devoted to the century-long history of what is now the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. The exhibition, titled "A Century on Stage", offers an overview of the school's history, which began in 1925 as the "Department of Drama" and has since grown into one of the world's foremost theater conservatories.

Why it matters

The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale has played a significant role in shaping the theater landscape, producing countless influential artists, playwrights, and directors over the past 100 years. The exhibition highlights the school's rich history and its enduring impact on the performing arts.

The details

The exhibition, on view at the Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library, was curated by Catherine Sheehy, a professor of dramaturgy and criticism at the Geffen School of Drama. Sheehy noted the challenge of capturing the history of an "ephemeral art form" that "seeks to make its home in its audience's memory rather than in stone, on canvas, on paper, or even on film."

  • The Department of Drama at Yale was established in 1925.
  • The department later became the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, a separate professional school, 30 years later.

The players

Catherine Sheehy

A professor of dramaturgy and criticism at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, who curated the "A Century on Stage" exhibition.

David Geffen School of Drama at Yale

One of the world's foremost theater conservatories, originally established as the "Department of Drama" at Yale in 1925.

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What they’re saying

“We teach and toil in an ephemeral art form that, cherishing liveness, seeks to make its home in its audience's memory rather than in stone, on canvas, on paper, or even on film.”

— Catherine Sheehy, Professor of Dramaturgy and Criticism (Humanitas)

The takeaway

The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale has been a cornerstone of theater education and production for the past century, shaping the careers of countless influential artists and leaving an indelible mark on the performing arts landscape.