and the occasional spoof in the tradition of Porter. Administration The Dramat is run by a ten undergraduate member executive board which oversees the daily business of the Dramat, which includes selecting repertoire for performance and choosing or hiring directors for its productions. The Dramat's membership includes around 100 Yale undergraduates as well as many honorary and life-time members. The Dramat played a large part in the founding of the Yale School of Drama and the construction of its main facility, the University Theater (also known as the UT). Notable alumni Stewart Alsop, writer and newspaper columnist Peter Bergman: comedian, playwright, founder of The Firesign Theatre Dick Cavett, television personality, comedian, and talk show host John Conklin, scenic and costume designer Bradford Dillman, actor and author Jodie Foster, actress Paul Giamatti, actor Mark Alan Hewitt, architect and author August Heckscher II, author and intellectual George Roy Hill, film director Bill Hinnant, actor Skip Hinnant, actor and comedian; Bill's younger brother Peter H. Hunt, director, lighting designer Lewis A. Lapham, journalist and shipping executive Mark Linn-Baker, actor Ron Livingston, actor Richard Maltby, Jr., Tony Award-winning director and lyricist Jefferson Mays, Tony Award-winning actor Edward Norton, actor Claes Oldenburg, sculptor Austin Pendleton, actor, playwright, and director Robert Picardo, actor Bronson Pinchot, actor Cole Porter, composer of musicals Philip Proctor: actor, member of The Firesign Theatre Rex Robbins, actor Sidney Dillon Ripley, secretary of Smithsonian Institution David Shire, songwriter and composer (often in collaboration with Richard Maltby as lyricist) Ted Tally, screenwriter and playwright Alex Timbers, director Sonny Tufts, actor Stephen Vincent Benét, writer Thornton Wilder, writer Sam Waterston, actor James Whitmore, actor Monty Woolley, director and actor References External links Culture of Yale University Arts organizations established in 1901 Theatre companies in Connecticut 1901 establishments in Connecticut