Kris Longley-Postema

Kris Longley-Postema ’06 enrolled in the Yale University School of Drama after Cornell to more deeply study stage management.  He has also taken courses in theatre management, and has been very pleased with his Yale experience.

 “I find that theatre is most rewarding when it is intellectually and artistically challenging,” he says. “Continuing to practice theatre in an academic setting allows for more artistic risk taking and experimentation than you find at most professional theatres as a result of more reliable funding and school-wide resources, etc.

“What’s more, in grad school I have the chance to work on a daily basis with incredibly talented and competent theatre artists and practitioners in all areas of theatre.  What could be better?”

Longley-Postema felt well-prepared for graduate school by his Cornell experience.  He graduated from Cornell with a special studies degree that included a major in theatre and minors in art history and philosophy.

“The small theatre department at Cornell gave me the opportunity to take on multiple tasks in various areas of theatre production,” he says. “As a result, I have a healthy knowledge of all sides of the theatre, a fact that has helped me every day in grad school.”

Longley-Postema advises students considering graduate school not to be shy.

“Call the schools, talk to the professors and current students, visit campuses,” he says. “I’ve found one of the most important things to consider are the people you will be working and studying with…surround yourself with good people who share a passion for the theatre work you do.”