Juilliard Dean Evan Yionoulis to Head Yale School of Drama

Evan Yionoulis Beowulf Sheehan

Juilliard Dean Evan Yionoulis has been named the new dean of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.

Yionoulis, who has been dean and director of The Juilliard School’s drama division since 2018, will take over the post at Yale starting July 1. She succeeds James Bundy, who has been in the role for close to 25 years and announced his retirement last year.

The move marks a big shakeup in the world of drama schools, as both have long been viewed as the premiere institutions for actors. In her tenure at Juilliard, Yionoulis ushered in a tuition-free M.F.A program, and pushed for further waivers, helped graduating actors better prepare for film roles and oversaw the school’s multi-million-dollar renovation.

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She joins Yale, which also offers a tuition-free MFA, as well as acting opportunities at the Yale Repertory Theatre, where Yionoulis will be the artistic director. Notable alumni from the program include Meryl Streep, Angela Bassett, Brian Tyree Henry, Paul Giamatti and more.

Yionoulis is herself a Yale alumna and a former David Geffen School of Drama faculty member. From 1998 to 2003, she was the Lloyd Richards Chair of the Geffen School’s acting program and later held the role of professor in the practice of acting and directing. She was a resident director at Yale Rep from 1998 to 2018, during which time she directed 14 productions.

In addition to her duties as dean at Juilliard, Yionoulis has made a name for herself as an Obie Award-winning director, with credits including Adrienne Kennedy’s Ohio State Murders, which was recognized with the Lortel Award for best revival, and the world premiere of Kennedy’s He Brought Her Heart Back in a Box.

“A widely influential leader in acting education, Yionoulis has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the student and faculty experience,” Yale President Maurie McInnis and Provost Scott Strobel wrote in a joint message to the university community.

“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,” said search advisory committee chair Marc Robinson. “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.”