John Yearley

John Yearley is an Adjunct Professor in the Theater department at the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. He specializes in playwriting, adaptations, and theater for youth, with a focus on dramatic literature and narrative storytelling. His works blend contemporary themes with classical techniques, earning recognition through awards such as the John Gassner Award and the Mickey Kaplan New American Play Prize.

Yearley's research interests include experimental theater formats, the intersection of screenwriting and live performance, and adapting classical texts for modern audiences. His plays emphasize human experiences through visceral storytelling, as seen in The Unrepeatable Moment and Antigone.

His awards include the John Gassner Award, Mickey Kaplan New American Play Prize, and Macy’s New Play Prize for Young Audiences. Beyond academia, he has contributed to children’s television programs like Arthur and acted as a script doctor for New Line Cinema.