03/09/2026
THE ACTOR AND THE TARGET
The Yale Dramatic Arts Building (DAB) in Newhaven, Connecticut is a newly designed home for Yale’s dramatic arts community, bringing together the University’s graduate and undergraduate dramatic arts programs under one roof. Imagine our surprise to see that the DAB’s design is inspired by our Artistic Director Declan’s “The Actor and the Target,” where architecture serves as a metaphor for the dramatic process!
As described by the DAB’s architects, KPMB: “During the early stages of designing Yale’s future Dramatic Arts Building, we were given a copy of “The Actor and the Target.” The book, written by theatre director Declan Donnellan, explained how an actor’s work is divided between the “visible” and the “invisible” aspects of performance. This idea emerged as a recurring source of inspiration and as an organizing principle for the building, its diverse program, and its relationship to the wider campus.
The “invisible” spaces — where students and faculty research, rehearse, and prepare — are housed behind opaque limestone volumes that convey the privacy and sense of safety needed for creative exploration. By contrast, the “visible” spaces are where that work is shared with the world. Most notably, the glazed ground-floor lobby of the Yale Repertory Theatre opens to the street.”
Set for completion in 2030, we look forward to seeing how the dramatic arts community use these spaces, both visible and invisible.
You can read more about the project here: http://kpmb.com/project/dramatic-arts-building-yale-university/
📸Rendering of the building, courtesy of KPMB Architects, rendering by ADHOC Studio
