Influential Theater Critic Robert Brustein, Founder of Yale and Harvard Stage Programs, Dies at 96

Robert Brustein, known for pioneering boundary-breaking works, was a driving force in cultivating American theater and trained a generation of actors, including Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken, at his renowned Yale and Harvard programs.

Robert Brustein, a towering figure in theatrical world, founder of the Yale Repertory Theatre and the American Repertory Theatre at Harvard, has died at age 96.
Known as a provocative advocate of boundary-defying works, Brustein had a significant influence on American theatre and trained a generation of actors, including Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken.
Both theatres that he founded had been recognized nationwide, including winning the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Many of their productions have made their way to Broadway, earning numerous accolades.
A playwright himself, Brustein's works include acclaimed plays and adaptations. His trilogy on Shakespeare's life was noteworthy, and he largely believed that theatre should primarily be an art form, not just a political platform.
Throughout his career, Brustein remained a vocal critic of mainstream theatre, particularly Broadway, advocating for more innovative and daring productions. He believed regional theathers should develop new techniques and approaches to improve the art of theatre.