Co-Chair and Open-Rank Faculty Position of Playwriting Program

Yale University: David Geffen School of Drama at Yale

Location

New Haven, CT

Open Date

Sep 17, 2026

Deadline

Sep 16, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description

David Geffen School of Drama (DGSD) at Yale University seeks an experienced and dynamic theatre practitioner to lead a pre-eminent MFA program in Playwriting.

The Geffen School, in partnership with Yale Repertory Theatre (YRT), trains and advances leaders in the practice of every theatrical discipline, making art to inspire joy, empathy, and understanding in the world. DGSD’s and Yale Rep’s core values are artistry, belonging, collaboration, and discovery: working together as a medical school and teaching hospital might, our community comprises eight three-year MFA programs—Acting, Design, Directing, Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism, Playwriting, Stage Management, Technical Design and Production, and Theater Management—as well as a one-year Technical Internship program.

DGSD is committed to the development of a robust theater landscape and makes access a priority: all students in degree and certificate programs receive 100% tuition remission.

The Co-Chair of the Playwriting program reports to the Dean of DGSD and, in collaboration with the Co-Chair, supervises all activities of the Playwriting Program, as well as teaching classes and serving as a mentor to students. In addition to offering classes in the craft, the Playwriting program produces projects for each year’s cohort in which they collaborate with students from other disciplines in the school: New Play Lab (first year), Langston Hughes Festival (second year), and the Carlotta Festival (third year).

RESPONSIBILITIES

Teaching and Mentoring

1. Establish curriculum and class schedule, balancing pedagogical needs with budgetary constraints as well as faculty and space availability.
2. Teach two (2) courses in each of the fall and spring semesters.
3. Oversee quality of teaching; participate in review of faculty. Ensure ongoing student review and evaluation.
4. Conduct script analysis tutorials and production-oriented tutorials with playwriting students for New Play Labs, Langston Hughes Festival, and Carlotta Festival productions as needed.
5. Establish and communicate departmental expectations and requirements to playwriting students. Support, guide, encourage and evaluate their progress.
6. Foster DGSD connections to field resources and promote career placement for playwriting students and alumni.
7. Promote a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, and inclusion.
8. Other duties as requested by the Dean.

Program Administration

1. Collaborate with DGSD Deans and Chairs to determine strategy and policy.
2. Determine and implement student recruitment strategy and process. In concert with Playwriting Program faculty, participate in selecting incoming class, including but not limited to, reading scripts, conducting interviews, prioritizing top choices and alternates, following up with admitted students concerning site visits and matriculation.
3. Hire faculty, including but not limited to, conducting searches, interviews, setting up and observing demonstration classes, calling references. In concert with the Dean and Associate Dean/Managing Director establish salaries; negotiate salaries.
4. Select, contract, and supervise Lecturers, visiting faculty, and workshop leaders.
5. Determine, oversee, and monitor Playwriting Program budget and departmental work-study assignments.
6. Collaborate with the Student Labor Supervisor on all work-study related matters.
7. Collaborate with Managing Director’s Office and Casting Director to hire guest artists for the Workshop with Actors course, as well as for other projects, as necessary.
8. Serve as the central coordinator and information point for DGSD departments on the work of the playwrights and all aspects of the department.
9. Handle requests for information about the program from prospective faculty, students, and the field, as well as recommendations for students and graduates as appropriate.
10. Represent Program and serve as primary department liaison and expert resource for DGSD, Yale, and the field.
11. Other related duties as requested by Dean.

Production Supervision

1. Supervise script selection and development of student plays.
2. Work closely with Dean and Chairs of Directing, Dramaturgy, and Technical Design and Production Programs on scheduling and selection of Playwright/Director/Dramaturg teams.
3. Work closely with Dean and Chair of Acting Program on casting of Langston Hughes Festival and Carlotta Festival Productions.
4. Work closely with Design Program Advisors on the development of designs for Carlotta Festival Productions.
5. Coordinate industry outreach, travel, and accommodations for the Carlotta Festival.
6. Monitor Carlotta Festival marketing copy, proofread marketing materials, and contribute to creating copy as required.
7. Promote and champion Carlotta Festival plays with agents, national and local theatres, and new play development centers.

RANK AND TERM OF APPOINTMENT

The appointment will be at an open rank commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience (Assistant Professor Adjunct/Associate Professor Adjunct/Professor in the Practice), for a term of no less than three years beginning July 1, 2027, renewable, and includes competitive salary with full faculty benefits. Minimum base salary: $110K.

Plus an administrative supplement of $15K tied to the role of Co-Chair.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Applicants should have at least 10 years of directly related professional experience combining work in the theater and teaching in the field.

Preferred: BA or MFA in Drama or another Fine Arts Degree

TRAITS AND ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate will possess:

• A track record of artistry, scholarship, teaching and/or service in their communities.
• Strongly demonstrated skills in written and verbal communication, strategic thinking, prioritization, time-management, and problem solving.
• Ability to function calmly, effectively, and flexibly in an active and collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated leadership.
• Knowledge of the professional production practices and the various disciplines involved.

Application Instructions

We invite you to apply by submitting a cover letter, C.V., a teaching statement (philosophy), and the names of three (3) references. These references will receive a request from Interfolio. They must accept this request in order for your application to be considered, however, the committee will ask for a recommendation letter only if you advance beyond the first round of review. You are responsible for sharing this information, and any subsequent updates, with your references.

Materials must be submitted through Interfolio: https://apply.interfolio.com/193823.

Review of applications will begin Wednesday, October 21, 2026, with final considerations on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

Application Process

This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

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