Art of Giving

A Time for Giving

Raymond N. Plank, Yale College Class of ’44, firmly believed that “the capacity of the individual is infinite.” Plank, a decorated World War II pilot who, along with two friends, formed the Apache Corporation and built it into one of the world’s leading independent oil and gas companies, died in 2018. In 1981, he established the Ucross

Foundation as part of the Raymond N. Plank Philanthropy Fund, and in 1983, created the foundation’s artist residency program at a 20,000-acre working cattle ranch in northeast Wyoming.

Thanks to a $700,000 endowment from the Raymond N. Plank Philanthropy Fund, Yale School of Drama and Yale School of Music communities will be able to explore their own infinite capacities. The gift includes scholarships as well as opportunities for artist residencies at Ucross for students and faculty members.

“Providing access to the School for the most talented and diverse theatermakers is our highest priority,” said James Bundy ’95 (Dean). “The Raymond N. Plank Scholarship represents an extraordinary investment in lowering financial barriers to training. We are honored to be the recipient of this visionary gift and also to inaugurate the Raymond Plank Residency, which offers YSD students and faculty time to develop their creative work at Ucross.”

Known for its majestic setting in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, the easternmost range of the Rockies, Ucross has become one of the country’s preeminent artist residency programs. Since its inception, the foundation has welcomed nearly 2,500 writers, visual artists, and composers from around the world, generously offering uninterrupted time to work, studio space, living accommodations, a travel stipend, and the inspirational camaraderie of an intimate group of fellow creators.

01

01 The Ucross Foundation ranch in Clearmont, WY.

01

“The Raymond N. Plank Scholarship represents an extraordinar investment in lowering financial barriers to training."

Art of Giving

A number of YSD alumni and faculty members have participated in the program, including award-winning playwrights Marcus Gardley ’04, James Magruder ’88, DFA ’92 (Former Faculty), and Paula Vogel (Former Faculty).

Innovation and Appreciation

In November, Yale School of Drama received a $2-million gift from the Robina Foundation to the Dean’s Innovation Fund. The Foundation, established by the late James H. Binger, Yale College Class of 1938 and founder of Jujamcyn Theaters, has been an extremely generous supporter of the School for many years. In 2012, the Foundation’s gift of $18 million permanently endowed the Binger Center for New Theatre, which sponsors playwrights and the development of new plays. Since its inception, The Binger Center has supported the work of more than 60 commissioned artists and underwritten productions of more than 30 new plays and musicals at Yale Rep and theaters across the country.

In accordance with its mission, the Robina Foundation sunset on December 31, 2020, having distributed all its assets to its grantees. This capstone gift for the Dean’s Innovation Fund will launch three important new projects at YSD: the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Leadership Circle; a series of Technical Design and Production summer seminars and symposia; and a Theater Management Think Tank. “The generosity of the Foundation will perpetually support the School of Drama’s ability to undertake a limited number of innovative projects expanding our scope of work,” said James Bundy ’95 (Dean). “Such opportunities for new programming have the potential for significant impact on theater training and practice.”

Penny A. Hunt, Executive Director of the Robina Foundation, praised the School’s visionary initiatives. “The Dean’s Innovation Fund is a novel idea that has the alacrity and sensitivity to allow the dean to address real challenges in real time. In doing so, the fund will meaningfully advance the mission of the School of Drama,” she said.

The Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Leadership Circle, developed by YSD in partnership with artEquity, is a six-week program of professional development for BIPOC leaders in

02

02 James H. Binger YC ’38

Art of Giving

03

03 & 04 James Gousseff ’56 (bottom) and one of the pantomimed productions he directed at Eastern Michigan University (top). predominately white performing and visual arts organizations. The TD&P seminars will offer training and professional development for YSD alumni and other professionals in the field in the areas of technical theater, technical theater management, and health and safety. The Think Tank will present a unique opportunity to bring new leadership perspectives to major issues in the field today.

“It has been an honor to work with Penny and the board of the Robina Foundation for the past decade,” said Deborah Berman, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs. “Their commitment to YSD has been transformative for our programs and we are grateful for their thoughtful and inspired philanthropy.” “The Dean’s Innovation Fund is a novel idea that has the alacrity and sensitivity to allow the dean to address real challenges in real time. In doing so, the fund will meaningfully advance the mission of the School of Drama.”

Louder than Words

James Gousseff ’56 understood the power of gesture. Soon after graduating with his MFA in directing, he developed an interest in mime. During his 35-year tenure as Professor of Theatre Arts at Eastern Michigan University, James directed student actors in silent plays and trained the University’s mime troupe. Along the way, he published more than 500 scripts of these pantomimed performances.

After his retirement, James created another powerful and

Art of Giving

generous gesture. As part of his estate planning, James established a charitable gift annuity that, after providing life income for him and his wife, Marla, benefitted YSD. James passed away in 2014 at the age of 85. Then in 2019 after Marla’s passing, the School of Drama received a gift of $100,000 to support the 2020-21 academic year. His thoughtful, philanthropic support speaks volumes about his passionate commitment to the students training to become theater makers. We thank James and the Gousseff family for this meaningful investment in the School and its future.

Playwrights on the Horizon

This summer, Stephen Grecco ’70 made a generous gift to the School—a new scholarship for playwriting students. The inaugural Stephen R. Grecco ’70 scholarship was awarded to Danielle Stagger ’24.

“Although I had been thinking for some time about establishing a scholarship at YSD,” said Stephen, “I decided that 2020 would be the ideal time as it marks 50 years since I received my MFA in playwriting.”

After graduating from YSD, Stephen taught playwriting and dramatic literature in the English department at Penn State for 35 years, retiring as professor emeritus in 2005. As a playwright, his work has been produced by the Marin Theatre Company of California, the Forum Theatre in New York, and National Public Radio, among others, and earned him a Shubert Playwriting Prize, a WGBH Radio Drama Prize, and two Earplay prizes.

Stephen also received two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships in playwriting and a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship for the study of Polish and Soviet drama. His publications include articles on Anton Chekhov, Eugene O’Neill, George Bernard Shaw, and Harold Pinter.

Since retirement, Stephen has had the opportunity to travel, visiting more than 70 countries. His last trip abroad was to Slovakia in 2019, and after the pandemic he hopes to add a few more spots to the list.

We are grateful to alumni, like

Stephen, whose thoughtful support of financial aid at YSD helps pave the way for the next generation of artists and leaders during this critical moment for the arts.

05

05 Stephen Grecco ’70 in Levoca, Slovakia.