School of drama

School Notes: David Geffen School of Drama
July/August 2011

James Bundy ’95MFA | http://drama.yale.edu

Developing new music theater works

The Yale Institute for Music Theatre (Mark Brokaw ’86MFA, artistic director; Beth Morrison ’05MFA, producer) recently workshopped three original music theater works: Maren of Vardø, with music by Jeff Myers and libretto by Royce Vavrek, directed by Thaddeus Strassberger, and music directed by Robert Trevino; Pregnancy Pact, with music by Julia Meinwald and book and lyrics by Gordon Leary, directed by Mark Brokaw, and music directed by Vadim Feichtner; and Profit of Creation, with music by Tim Rosser and book and lyrics by Charlie Sohne, directed by School of Drama professor Evan Yionoulis ’82, ’85MFA, and music directed by Chris Genwick. The two-week workshops in New Haven culminated in public readings June 16–18, presented as part of the 16th annual International Festival of Arts & Ideas.

Established by Yale School of Drama and Yale School of Music, the Yale Institute for Music Theatre seeks to identify distinctive and original music theater works by emerging writers and composers, and match those writers with directors, music directors, and actors/singers who can help them further develop their work. By limiting production resources and values, the workshop keeps the focus on the creative process of the artistic team.

Recent graduate wins playwriting competition

Meg Miroshnik ’11MFA is the winner of the Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition for her play The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls, which will receive its world premiere at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta next February. Now in its eighth year, the Kendeda Competition is open to all playwriting students at accredited MFA programs throughout the country, transitioning student playwrights into the world of professional theater.

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