Yale Names Acclaimed Director Evan Yionoulis as Next Dean of Drama School

Yionoulis, a Yale alumna and Obie Award winner, will lead the prestigious David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:32am

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Yale University has named Evan Yionoulis, a Yale alumna, Obie Award-winning director, and former David Geffen School of Drama faculty member, as the next dean of the drama school and artistic director of Yale Repertory Theatre. Yionoulis, who currently oversees the drama division at The Juilliard School, will assume the Yale role on July 1, succeeding James Bundy who has served as dean for nearly 25 years.

Why it matters

Yionoulis is a widely influential leader in acting education who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the student and faculty experience. Her appointment marks an important transition for the prestigious David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre as they look to build on their exceptional legacies under new leadership.

The details

At Juilliard, Yionoulis has overseen initiatives such as the transition to a tuition-free M.F.A. program, the creation of a teacher development fellowship, and the establishment of a program to help graduating actors prepare for film roles. She has also continued to teach every year while in her leadership role. Prior to Juilliard, Yionoulis was a faculty member at the Geffen School from 1998 to 2003, where she expanded the curriculum and faculty. She has directed numerous productions at Yale Repertory Theatre as a resident director from 1998 to 2018.

  • Yionoulis will assume the role of dean and artistic director on July 1, 2026.
  • Yionoulis was a faculty member at the Geffen School from 1998 to 2003.
  • Yionoulis was a resident director at Yale Repertory Theatre from 1998 to 2018.

The players

Evan Yionoulis

An Obie Award-winning director, former David Geffen School of Drama faculty member, and current dean of the drama division at The Juilliard School. She is a Yale alumna who will now return to lead the David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre.

James Bundy

The outgoing dean of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, who has served in that role for nearly 25 years.

Maurie McInnis

The president of Yale University.

Scott Strobel

The provost of Yale University.

Marc Robinson

The dean of humanities in Yale's Faculty of Arts and Sciences and a scholar of theater, who chaired the search advisory committee for the new dean.

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What they’re saying

“Evan Yionoulis will be a visionary dean and artistic director - a leader with an inspiring commitment to the value of arts education and art-making. Her thoughtful, deeply attentive teaching and her many indelible productions promise a spectacular future at Yale. It will be a privilege to once again be her colleague.”

— Marc Robinson, Dean of humanities in Yale's Faculty of Arts and Sciences and a scholar of theater

“I am tremendously honored to have been named the Elizabeth Parker Ware Dean of David Geffen School of Drama and artistic director of Yale Repertory Theatre and for the opportunity to return home to Yale where I have had the privilege to study, teach, and collaborate. I look forward to working with David Geffen School of Drama faculty, students, and staff, as well as with partners across the university, to build on the School and Yale Rep's exceptional legacy, and chart an ambitious, vibrant, and impactful course into the future.”

— Evan Yionoulis

The takeaway

Yionoulis' appointment signals an exciting new era for Yale's prestigious drama school and theater program, as she brings her acclaimed leadership and vision to build on their storied legacies.