Our Board
The Yale University Dramatic Association is run by an eleven member undergraduate Executive Board which oversees the daily operations of the Dramat. This includes curating a season of 6 shows and choosing or hiring directors for its productions. The Dramat’s membership includes around 100 Yale undergraduates as well as many honorary and lifetime members.
Rhayna Poulin (President; president@yaledramat.org; she/her/hers) is a junior in Morse College from Maine studying Psychology on the Neuroscience track. Once upon a time she was the Spring Mainstage Producer for the Dramat but she’s also done a bit of lighting design. Outside of theater she conducts research in a few clinical psychology labs, works as an admissions ambassador, and occasionally makes milkshakes in the Morse Buttery.
The President is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Board and ensuring the effective functioning of all departments within the Association. She represents the Association in any negotiations with Yale University and runs all meetings of the Executive Board and of the Producing Membership.
Meridian Monthy (Vice President; vp@yaledramat.org; she/her/hers) is a junior in Trumbull College.
The Vice President assists the President and conducts meetings in the absence of the President. She takes responsibility for all Association correspondence, including that with the alumni, as well as being in charge of fundraising.
Annabelle Hee (Treasurer; treasurer@yaledramat.org; she/her/hers) is a sophomore in Morse College majoring in History and Economics. At Yale, Annabelles has had the pleasure of being a technical director, set designer, producer, and quite a few things in between. She first got involved with the Dramat through the Associate Board and the 2023 Fall Mainstage, and she has previously served on the Executive Board as the Outreach Coordinator. Outside of Yale Theatre, she is a campus Tour Guide, member of New Haven Reach, cold weather fiend, and (allegedly) a menace to her friends who work at the Morse buttery.
The Treasurer is in charge of the Dramat’s finances. They help shows stay on budget, compose the budget, and do the Dramat’s taxes. They also create yearly reports to track costs and expenditures and drive the organization’s financial planning.
Emiliano Cáceres Manzano (Secretary; secretary@yaledramat.org; he/him/his) is a sophomore in Franklin majoring in Film and English. Throughout his time in Yale theater so far, he has designed lights, directed, and acted, and now has the honor of secretary-ing. When he’s not in rehearsal, he can be found writing at Atticus or napping.
The Secretary takes minutes at Board meetings. He is also responsible for the administration of all email and membership lists, as well as for compiling and sending out the weekly Dramat Bulletin. The Secretary is also responsible for many of the daily operations of the Dramat, including coordinating elections.
Rylan Polster (Production Officer; prod@yaledramat.org; he/him/his) is a junior in Ezra Stiles College majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
The Production Officer is responsible for communication between the Dramat and the School of Drama and is also the primary liaison to the Technical Advisor. He is in charge of ensuring that all show activities are carried out safely and efficiently, and that all Drama School facilities and equipment are treated with the utmost care. He is in charge during load-ins and strikes of all Dramat shows.
Nandi Hildebrand (Fall Mainstage Producer; ms1@yaledramat.org; she/her/hers) is a sophomore in Branford College from California.
The Fall Mainstage Producer produces the biggest show of the fall semester. Her responsibilities include (in collaboration with the rest of the Executive Board) selecting the show and hiring the professionals. She lines up the student staff and crew, organizes auditions, creates the budget, runs production meetings, and coordinates with the fire and safety inspectors. Ultimately, she makes sure that the show goes up on time, within the budget, and in the best form possible. As Company Manager, she assists the organization in managing personnel.
AJ Walker (Policy Director; policy@yaledramat.org; he/him/his) is a sophomore in Berkeley College majoring in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies and African American Studies. He was born and raised in New York City, and neither he nor the tattoo on his wrist will let you forget it. In the theater world, AJ has worked as an actor, director, writer, and producer. Outside of theater, he can likely be found brainstorming creative ways to never take a STEM class again.
The Policy Director acts as point person to ensure that the Board is following through on the Dramat’s goals of being as inclusive, accessible, and equitable as possible. He also collaborates with the Outreach director on accessibility efforts and works with President to integrate his work into the overall agenda and goals of the Executive Board for the semester.
Maya Evans (Outreach Coordinator; outreach@yaledramat.org; she/her/hers) is a first year in Saybrook College.
The Outreach Coordinator facilitates the Dramat’s outreach efforts both within and without the Yale community, including its collaboration with Pathways to the Arts and Humanities.
Karsten Rynearson (Special Events Coordinator; specev@yaledramat.org) is a sophomore in Saybrook College from Connecticut.
The Special Events Coordinator organizes all of the extra events for the company, such as the birthday party, membership dinner, and DRAMATalks.
Spencer Staak (Spring Mainstage Producer, ms2@yaledramat.org; he/him/his) is a senior in Pierson College from Illinois. He is an Economics major with plans to attend law school after graduation to pursue entertainment law. In the theater world, Spencer has primarily been a producer, producing multiple student-written plays. Outside of theater, Spencer is a member of the Yale Mock Trial Association, Pierson College Council, and can be found volunteering around New Haven.
The Spring Mainstage Producer’s duties are essentially the same as those of the Fall Mainstage Producer. However, the Spring Mainstage is generally a straight play, and exceptional students are given the opportunity to design alongside the professional director and designers.
Elizabeth Stanish (Marketing Director; marketing@yaledramat.org; she/her/hers) is a sophomore in Saybrook College from New Hampshire majoring in Computer Science. Most of the time she’s spent in Yale theater she has been stage managing, but she has also dabbled in acting in the past. Outside of theater, Elizabeth can be found tap dancing with her dance group, planning events with Saybrook College Council (Say WHAT!), or crying over her packed GCal.
The Marketing Director works with graphic designers to create posters, programs, and signboards to advertise each Dramat show. She is responsible for securing advertising contracts for programs, as well as coordinating with Yale and local media for advertising and reviews of Dramat shows. The Marketing Director also maintains the Dramat website and social media.