A collective form of art: an interview with Yana Ross

Abstract

In this interview with Bryce Lease, Yana Ross explores her background as a director and her approach to teaching directing at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in Vilnius. Ross discusses her training at GITIS and the Yale School of Drama, highlighting the importance of life experience, interdisciplinary knowledge, and leadership skills in the development of a director. She emphasizes the value of understanding the theatre canon and expanding it through alternative perspectives, while also recognising the need for rigour and critical thinking in theatre training. Ross reflects on her experiences as a professor and the challenges faced by directing students, including effective communication with actors and the wider creative team. Advocating for a collaborative and inclusive approach to theatre-making, she draws on her experiences at Yale, where different disciplines interacted and collaborated.