Channick, who will assume her role at Yale beginning Feb. 1, 2009, will end her tenure with Long Wharf at the end of December. As part of her duties at Yale, Channick will participate in planning and management as well as student life, including recruitment, financial aid, professional development and post-graduate placement. "I have been connected with the Drama School for a long time – 23 years – and my roots there are very deep. I love teaching, and the opportunity I have been offered to take on this new role in the administration of the Drama School is something I could not pass up. It truly represents my dream job," Channick said in a statement.

Channick, who is in her third season as managing director of the Long Wharf Theatre, previously served as managing director of the Theatre Communications Group and as director of the U.S. Center of the International Theatre Institute. Her theatrical experiences also include work as the managing director of Baltimore's Center Stage and as marketing director of the Yale Repertory Theatre.

Long Wharf's Board of Trustees executive committee met Dec. 12 to discuss appointing an interim managing director.