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.
Lily Pérez (President; president@yaledramat.org; she/her/hers) is a senior in Branford College from Washington, DC majoring in Theater and Performance Studies. Lily has been involved in theater at Yale as a producer, actor and dramaturg since the era of Zoom productions — a lifestyle sustained by GCal culture and the Yale Hospitality magic bars. Outside of theater, she can be found working as a Peer Liaison for La Casa Cultural, a Writing Partner for the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, and a House Manager for Undergraduate Production.
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.
Kali Jupiter (Vice President; vp@yaledramat.org; she/her/hers) is a senior in Berkeley College majoring in Computer Science. She is from New Orleans, Louisiana, arguably the greatest city in the world. She has acted in a number of shows at Yale, but has a special place in her heart for Dramat Board. When she’s not suffering through a CS pset, Kali can be found working at the Afro American Cultural Center, singing with her acapella group (shoutout OOTB), or enjoying a lavender lemonade from Koffee.
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.
Abbie Thomas (Treasurer; treasurer@yaledramat.org; they/them/theirs) is a senior in Silliman majoring in African American Studies. They’ve worn a few hats in Yale theatre, directing or dramaturging various productions around campus, but always end up back at one Dramat load-in or another. When they’re not in the green room pretending to study, Abbie can be found at the nearest thrift store, running to a work shift at the art gallery, or sitting in the Silliman courtyard taking pictures of their friends.
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.
Ryan Pascal (Fall Mainstage Producer; ms1@yaledramat.org; she/her/hers) is a junior in Trumbull College studying Film and Media Studies and African American Studies. She is from Los Angeles, California where she pursued dance and explored her love of theater. Outside of the Dramat, she can be found working as a Training Director for the Model United Nations team, watching television, or FaceTiming her dog.
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.
Annabelle Hee (Outreach Coordinator; outreach@yaledramat.org; she/her/hers) is a sophomore in Morse College from New York City. Annabelle has had the pleasure of holding many different roles in Yale theater, but she especially loves producing and designing. She first got involved with the Dramat through the Associate Board and the Fall Mainstage, and she now has the pleasure of continuing that work 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 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.
Peter Li (Special Events Coordinator; specev@yaledramat.org; he/him/his) is a junior in Pierson studying C.S. + Art, with special interest in how AR engages with theater. He served on the ‘21-‘22 Executive Board as the Spring Mainstage Producer and has returned to host DraProm. He also acts, designs, and will never produce again 🙂
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 planning to major in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. 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, crying over her GCal, or doing research in a Yale Robotics lab.
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.