Yong Suk Yoo

Associate Professor of Directing

he/him

Yong Suk Yoo teaches MFA Directors Lab course and co-teaches Expanded Theater with Lawrence Shea and Chelsea Warren. He serves on the Season Selection Committee, representing the Directing Area, and advises departmental productions directed by BFA and MFA students.

Yong Suk Yoo is an international theater director and educator renowned for his intercultural and interdisciplinary performances. His innovative approach integrates new media and digital technology into the performing arts, resulting in groundbreaking productions. Notable works include “When Spring Comes to Hills and Dales,” “Oedipus the King,” “A Dreamplay,” “Love and Information,” and the Korean premiere of “White Rabbit, Red Rabbit.” He also created “A Silent Table,” using live broadcast technology, immersive performance, and four-sided holo-film projection mapping. He is an associate professor of directing at Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, having previously taught at Texas State University, Daeduk University, and Hanyang University in South Korea.

In 2002, Yong Suk co-founded the DREAM PLAY THEATER COMPANY (DPTC) with Jae Yeop Kim. Inspired by August Strindberg’s “A Dreamplay,” DPTC focused on new Korean contemporary dramas and participated in various theater festivals in Korea. His involvement with Hyehwadong Il Bunji Theater Laboratory (HIBTL) influenced his master’s thesis. In 2008, he was honored as the Outstanding Emerging Artist in Theater by the Arts Council of Korea.

Yong Suk revitalized community-based public art through alternative spaces and independent performances. In 2006, he launched the “Hibernation Project,” an annual theater incubation initiative for young artists in Seoul. His experimental piece “S.T.A.R.” premiered at the Seoul Marginal Theater Festival in 2006. In 2009, he founded the ART CREATION GROUP DIRECTING STUDIO (ACGDS), which became a resident art company at the Seokyo Art Experiment Center. As the artistic director of WOULD YOU COLLAGE since 2016, Yong Suk continues to push the boundaries of contemporary performance.

Throughout his career, Yong Suk has taught at various institutions, fostering relationships between students and the professional performing arts field. At Daeduk University, he was the youngest professor in the university’s history, producing numerous musical and theatrical performances for local communities. His teaching philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary practice and a global contemporary understanding of art.

Yong Suk pursued an MFA in directing at the California Institute of the Arts, refining his aesthetic and developing a unique poetic, visual style. His thesis production, “A Dreamplay,” and other projects like “When Spring Comes to Hills and Dales” and “Oedipus the King,” highlight his ability to collaborate with diverse groups and create innovative performances.

Yong Suk Yoo’s dedication to internationalism and diversity in the arts is evident in his work and teaching. He believes that fostering new perspectives and intercultural connections is essential for the growth of the arts. Yong Suk is married to actress Joo Ryoung Kim, known for her role in the Netflix series “Squid Game,” and they have a daughter, Katherine Hayoung Yoo.

“My exploration of theatricality is deeply rooted in the intersection of ancient traditions and cutting-edge innovations. By embracing the diversity that enriches our artistic community, I aim to redefine the theatrical experience as a dynamic process that fosters transformation, discovery, and intellectual engagement. This approach transcends conventional boundaries, integrating digital media to create innovative works that resonate with and challenge contemporary audiences.” – Yong Suk Yoo