James Bundy Reappointed as Dean of Yale School of Drama, Artistic Director of Yale Rep

James Bundy has been reappointed as Dean of Yale School of Drama and artistic director of Yale Repertory Theatre. His new term - his fourth - will begin July 1, 2017.

"This renewal is a reflection of Dean Bundy's innovative leadership that has sustained the school's record as the top drama program in the country and advanced Yale Rep as one of the premiere locations for the development of new plays," said President Peter Salovey in announcing the reappointment.

"As dean, he has increased philanthropic support for drama at Yale including the transformational gift that endowed the Binger Center for New Theatre ...," said Salovey. "In conversations with faculty members and others, the Dean was widely praised for his visionary leadership, artistic practice, and inspiration of students, faculty, and staff."

One faculty member, Salovey noted, offered this assessment of Bundy: "He leads from a deep and complex understanding of not only the art that is manifested on the stage, with all its layers of meaning and import, but also from a deep understanding of the complexities of the field of theater and what it means to lead a premiere institution such as the Yale School of Drama. He asks extraordinary questions, stays in the difficult conversations, and doesn't settle for good, only excellence."

During Bundy's years at the university, Yale Rep has produced more than 30 world, American, and regional premieres - nine of which have been honored by the Connecticut Critics Circle with the award for Best Production of the year and two of which have been Pulitzer Prize finalists. During this time, Yale Rep also has commissioned more than 50 artists to write new work and provided low-cost theatre tickets to thousands of middle and high school students from Greater New Haven through Will Power!, an educational program initiated in 2004.

"Dean Bundy has been an outstanding leader for the school, a respected colleague among his fellow deans, and a valued university citizen," Salovey said. "I am very grateful for his past service and his willingness to stay on in this important role, and we all look forward to his continued success."

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