A group of young theatre professionals recently joined the national conversation about diversity and inclusion in the field of theatre by being selected to participate in the Theatre Communications Group’s (TCG) SPARK Leadership Program to help create a more diverse theatre landscape. Of the 10 SPARK participants chosen for the inaugural class, four were graduates of Yale School of Drama: Nelson Eusebio ’07 (directing), Snehal Desai ’08 (directing), Jacob Padrón ’08 (theater management), and Karena Fiorenza Ingersoll ’12
(theater management). SPARK supports the professional development of exceptional rising leaders of color who aspire to take on executive leadership positions at U.S. non-profit theatres. Over the course of the year, the participants immersed themselves in a curriculum with three focus areas: knowledge and skills building, networking and professional connections, and self-awareness and inclusion. “TCG wanted to change the perception that there aren’t qualified candidates of color for these positions in U.S. not-for-
left to right Nelson Eusebio ’07, Karen Fiorenza Ingersoll ’12, Snehal Desai ’08, and Jacob Padrón ’08 at the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) conference.
YA L E S C H O O L O F D R A M A A N N UA L 2 015
45