Welcome to the 2026 LMDA Retreat!

For 40 years, LMDA has supported dramaturgs in knowledge and resource sharing throughout the Americas. With this year’s focus on re-engaging dramaturgs across many disciplines, reimagining the next 40 years of dramaturgy, and making restorative human connections with likeminded individuals, this conference takes on a new form: a retreat.

We were inspired by Elinor Fuchs’ groundbreaking essay “E.F. ‘s Visit to a Small Planet,” published in 2004 by David Geffen School of Drama at Yale’s Theater magazine. This essay has been passed from literary managers to interns, directors to designers, teachers to students, dramaturg to dramaturg, shaping our analysis and discourse. Fuchs writes,“Before making judgements, we must ask questions.” As we curated this retreat, we asked: What are the questions dramaturgs have about ourselves? How are we shaping the planet of our evolving theater industry? What are the new rules of our world?

Throughout this retreat, we look forward to cultivating intersectional spaces where transparent conversations about finances, creativity, pedagogy, and future visioning about the field of dramaturgy. What are the burning questions you have about others who work dramaturgically in different mediums? How do we stay sane in a world where artistry is challenged on a daily basis? How can dramaturgs use our skills to enact change artistically, and throughout the world? We have a unique opportunity to examine the patterns within our field, reminding ourselves that “the puzzles may hold the key.”

Located on the grounds of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University, one of the few advanced education programs in the country for Dramaturgy & Dramatic Criticism, we encourage guests to speak to new people, and to walk away with a more expansive definition of dramaturgy. We love doing things only humans can do, and this is one of them.

Be curious. We look forward to seeing you around campus!

Ryan Adelsheim, Sophie Blumberg & Phaedra Michelle Scott

2026 Conference Co-Planners

Conference Info

Registration

On all days of the conference, the registration desk will be located in the Center for Collaborative Arts and Media (CCAM) Lobby & Studio at 149 York Street.

Meals
  • The only meal provided with full conference registration is Saturday evening’s dinner.
  • Check out our live interactive Google Map to explore all the great restaurants, coffee shops and bars that New Haven has to offer.
  • If you purchased a regional breakfast with your registration, volunteers will direct you where to go on Sunday morning. If you didn’t purchase a regional breakfast in advance, you can do so at any time at the Registration Desk for $15

Accessibility & Travel Insights

Air Travel
  • If you are flying to the conference, we recommend flying into any of the New York City Airports (Newark, JFK or Laguardia), and then transferring to the MetroNorth via Grand Central or Amtrak via Penn Station.
  • Alternatively, you may choose to fly into Bradley International Airport in Hartford County, CT and take a 45-minute rideshare to New Haven.
Traveling From New York by Train

Recommended Route: Metro-North New Haven Line or Amtrak Northeast Regional

  • Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line runs directly from Grand Central Terminal to New Haven Union Station. Travel time is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on service (express vs. local).
  • Amtrak Northeast Regional and Acela trains depart from New York Penn Station and stop at New Haven Union Station. Travel time is approximately 1.5–2 hours. Fares are typically higher than Metro-North.
  • This option is especially convenient for travelers already at Penn Station coming from New Jersey, Philadelphia, or points south.
Traveling From Boston/North by Train

Recommended Route: Amtrak Northeast Regional or Acela

  • Amtrak Northeast Regional and Acela trains depart from Boston South Station and stop at New Haven Union Station — Travel time is approximately 2.5–3 hours.
Local Transportation & Getting to Yale Campus

Upon arriving at New Haven Union Station, the following local transportation options are readily available:

  • The Yale Shuttle runs year round, and provides service between Union Station and campus destinations. For more details, please visit Yale’s Using the Shuttle
    • Please note that there are now TWO shuttle stop locations in front of Union Station. If the stop directly in front of the station is congested, shuttle drivers pick up in front of the parking garage. Please look for Shuttles in both locations.
  • CT Transit buses serve downtown, Yale, and surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Taxis and rideshare (Uber/Lyft) are readily available.
  • Walking to downtown and Yale takes approximately 15-20 minutes.
Parking Info

LMDA and Yale are unable to provide parking in New Haven. We encourage attendees to use public transportation.

There is limited visitor parking on campus, and all attendees are asked to plan ahead and choose the best option to support their visit. Visitors can choose public parking or the limited Yale visitor lots at their discretion. Parking fees are required at either option.

For Yale Visitor Parking, please visit: Parking Locations: Central Campus

Public Parking options in the vicinity include:

  • Air Rights Garage, 60 York Street, New Haven, CT 06511
  • Crown Street Garage, 214 Crown Street, New Haven, CT 06510
  • State Street Garage, 282 State STreet, New Haven, CT 06510
  • Temple Medical Garage, 203 George Street, New Haven, CT 06510
  • Union Station Garage, 40 Union Avenue, New Haven, CT 06519 (accessible via public transportation)

Accommodation

Hotels

Attendees are responsible for booking their own stays for the duration of the conference. There are many great hotels within walking distance of Yale’s conference, including:

AirBnB & VRBO

New Haven has a wide variety of AirBnb, VRBO and other house-share accommodations available. Please visit those websites to learn more!

Roomshare Network

If you are interested in connecting with other conference attendees to share a hotel room or other accommodation, you are welcome to use the official LMDA Slack channel to make plans.

Restaurant Recommendations

Check out our live interactive Google Map to explore all the great restaurants, coffee shops and bars that New Haven has to offer: LMDA New Haven Retreat Live Google Map

Childcare

Interested in obtaining or offering childcare during the retreat? Fill out the form below to either indicate your interest in finding a childcare provider, or to list yourself as someone who is available to offer childcare services.

Please note that filling out this form neither guarantees nor secures childcare services, but that the information will be shared so that those looking for childcare may reach out to people who are available during the retreat.

DGSD Childcare Form

Land Acknowledgement

Yale Repertory Theatre and David Geffen School of Drama acknowledge that the land on which we are currently located is occupied territory. It is the traditional land and ancestral home to Native American, Indigenous, and First Nations peoples. We recognize and honor the current indigenous population, knowing that this is our present as much as it is our past. While land acknowledgments are not enough, they are an important social justice and decolonizing practice that helps us see ourselves as settlers on indigenous land.

At Yale, we acknowledge that indigenous peoples and nations, including Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Schaghticoke, Golden Hill Paugussett, Niantic, and the Quinnipiac and other Algonquian speaking peoples, have stewarded through generations the lands and waterways of what is now the state of Connecticut. We honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between these peoples and nations and this land.

We acknowledge the legacy of slavery in our region and the enslaved African people whose labor was exploited for generations to help establish the business of Yale University as well as the economy of Connecticut and the United States.

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