James Bundy to Retire As Dean of David Geffen School of Drama at Yale

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James Bundy, a long-standing dean at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, has announced his intention to retire from the role in June 2026.

As a gamer, I’m stepping down from my role as artistic director at the Yale Repertory Theatre, but I’ll still be teaching at the School of Drama and at Yale College. You might know that I’m a Yale alumnus, and I was appointed dean back in 2002.

This distinguished drama school boasts alumni such as Meryl Streep, Angela Bassett, Brian Tyree Henry, Paul Giamatti, and many others, and is consistently recognized as one of the world’s best in dramatic arts education. Approximately 1,500 students have studied under its current guidance.

Under his leadership, Bundy focused on increasing financial aid for Yale’s dramatic arts students. This included creating 70 out of the school’s 91 endowed scholarships. In the year 2021, the institution received a generous donation of $150 million from the David Geffen Foundation, which subsequently made tuition free for all students pursuing degrees and certificates at Yale.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bundy adjusted the school’s three-year Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A) program by extending it to four years. The added fourth year was completely funded, allowing students to recover any missed learning experiences.

He’s collaborated with various individuals to gather over $100 million for a fresh Dramatic Arts Building, slated to become the school’s new headquarters, housing Yale Rep and the undergraduate theater, dance, and performance studies programs.

At Yale, Bundy was additionally responsible for crafting four original plays that later graced Broadway. These productions garnered an impressive combined tally of 11 Tony Award nominations and even took home two statuettes. Additionally, two other plays he wrote were recognized as finalists for the Pulitzer Prize.

“Bundy has found continuous happiness working within this community since his arrival as a student in the fall of 1992. His three-year tenure at Yale significantly altered the trajectory of his life.”

For almost a quarter of a century, I’ve been blessed to hold my ideal position here. The profound sense of gratitude I carry is nearly indescribable, extended towards students, interns, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, members of the board of advisors, visiting artists and artisans, donors, spectators, critics, journalists, colleagues from universities across Connecticut, the US, and worldwide. Each one of you has played a significant role in shaping my life journey.” – Bundy

This spring, the provost’s office will establish a search advisory team to aid in finding a suitable replacement for the current position held by Bundy.

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2025-02-27 21:54