Sarah Yorke

Sarah Elizabeth Yorke (she/her) is a director, producer, actor, administrator, and educator from a mile long town in the Coal Region of Pennsylvania. She is a recent Alumna of Ohio University, where she graduated with her Master of Fine Arts in Directing and Master of Arts Administration, with a special focus in Theatre Production and Management. In 2012, Sarah received her B.A. in Theatre Arts from Virginia Tech and has since returned to Blacksburg as a Post-MFA Fellow in Applied Performance. 

Yorke has directed over 30 productions ranging from high school, community, collegiate, professional, and self-produced theatre. She is dedicated to re-examining the classics, expanding the gender disparity in the cannon, and developing new works for a younger, more diverse audience. She firmly believes that the human should come before the artist and the artist should come before the art, placing humanity at the forefront of her artistic philosophy and daily practices. 

Yorke's work is inspired by the isolation, heightening, and nurturing of one’s senses. In order to tap into a more unified, collaborative, and empathetic space, she believes this approach can help tear down walls and boundaries otherwise imposed on artists. Breaking these barriers allows artists to more openly establish a supportive, brave, and unified ensemble that promotes exploration, risk taking, and a continued sense of play. She recognizes the hierarchal structure that theatre has ingrained on its many students, including herself, and aims to challenge her own knowledge, comfort, and curiosities, in order to become a better collaborator and communicator in all forms of the theatrical process. 

Additionally, Yorke is an acting coach and mentor for youth actors, ranging from ages seven and up, for over six years. Instilling and fostering a love of theatre in future generations is a passion of hers that has only fueled her own love for the craft. She strives to foster a creative environment where artists of all ages can make flexible the lines of collaboration and encourages making your passion your priority.