Please review the general admissions information via the Apply link in the top navigation above. In this section, you will find application information specific to the Technical Internship program.

Here’s what we look for in applicants:

A passion for the craft
Foundational technical knowledge and an eagerness to learn
Initiative, adaptability, thoughtfulness, and a solution-oriented mindset
Alignment with the School’s values: artistry, belonging, collaboration, and discovery

There is no one right candidate. We consider each aspect of the application, including statement of purpose, resume, letters of recommendation, transcript, portfolio, your communication through the application process, and interviews, to develop a comprehensive picture of all applicants' strengths, areas for growth, and commitment to teamwork. We offer admission to 1-2 students per department each year who, all things considered, are suited to thrive in the program.

We welcome interested applicants to reach out for an informal conversation with the chair, or another member of TD&P faculty, to learn more about the Technical Internship program at any point over the course of the year. Please note that faculty are happy to give resume feedback in advance of application submission.

Admissions Timeline

January

Applicants submit a one-page statement of purpose, resume, and one-plate sample of their portfolio through the online application portal. See below for details on each. The application deadline is January 4, 2027.

Since 2019, the GRE is no longer required and will not be considered if submitted as part of the application.

The application fee is $50. To request a fee waiver for the application, please download and submit an Application Fee Waiver Form. All fee waiver applications must be completed, signed/notarized, and an original copy received by the Admissions Office ten (10) business days prior to your program deadline. For the Technical Internship program, the deadline for submitting an Application Fee Waiver Form is December 22.

Submitted applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. A select group of candidates will be scheduled to interview with the faculty of TD&P via Zoom throughout December and January 2026. All candidates selected for the Zoom interview round will be notified no later than Friday, January 8, 2027.

After the round of Zoom interviews, a select group of finalists will be invited to travel to New Haven to interview on campus. Candidates will be notified in late January whether they have been invited to the final round.

February/March

On-campus interviews will be scheduled during February and March. Ahead of their on-campus interviews, finalists will need to submit an additional letter of recommendation, their transcript, and their full portfolio via the online application portal. These additional materials will be due by February 22. The on-site interview usually includes meetings with several faculty and staff members, a tour of David Geffen School of Drama's campus, opportunities to meet current students, observe class, see a performance if available, and a portfolio review.

For any applicants wishing to apply for financial aid, the application is due by February 14, 2027: Please refer to Financial Aid Policy and Procedures.

Interview Logistics and Travel Support

Application Guidance

Statement of Purpose

In one page*, the statement of purpose should describe your career goal(s) and cite specific aspects of how our mission, curriculum, and professional work assignments can help you at this juncture in your career. Essentially, why Yale and why now? The statement of purpose is due January 4.

*maximum 400 words.

Resume

In one to two pages, the resume should include your professional or academic experience, education, and relevant skills. Brief descriptions of each role listed, including responsibilities and scope, are recommended. The faculty are also happy to give resume feedback before you apply. The resume is due January 4.

Portfolio

As part of the Febuary 22 deadline, we require internship applicants to submit a one-plate sample from their portfolio via the application portfolio. Full portfolios will not be reviewed in advance of the finalist round. If prematurely submitted, just the first plate will be taken into consideration. Brief descriptions (1-3 sentences) of the work on each plate are recommended.

Carpentry Internship

Drafting plates, technical drawings, production photographs, and close-up construction detail photographs (in‐progress or finished work) to show examples of the quality of your personal craftsmanship.

Costume Technology Internship

Renderings or costume sketches, photographs or slides of produced costumes, millinery, accessories, demonstrations of patterning, tailoring skills, figure-drawing, work in watercolors, acrylic, ink, etc.

Costume Technology Internship applicants should upload some digital samples to the portal but also bring their physical portfolio to the finalist interview.

Electrics Internship

System design draftings, photos, examples of any creative work. Please also include any documentation supporting your project planning, budgeting, and organizational skills. Examples of this can include material breakouts for purchasing and labor assignments.

Projections Internship

Projection system draftings, photos, or any other supporting documentation. Examples of any creative and/or design or video work. Please also include any documentation supporting your project planning, budgeting, and organizational skills.

Properties Internship

Sketchbooks, drafting, prop drawings, examples of your painting, scene painting, renderings or designs, woodworking skills or construction, metalworking, mold making, sculpture, soft good skills: sewing or upholstery, as well as items you have built: furniture, masks, puppets, costumes, craft pieces, and examples of craftsmanship.

Scene Painting Internship

Examples of scenic art work (done as an individual or part of a team), production shots of your work, sketchbooks, drawings, paintings, renderings, sculpture, designs, paint elevations, draftings, and other non-theatrical work.

Sound Engineering Internship

Sound system draftings, photos, or any other supporting documentation. Examples of any creative and/or recording work. Please also include any documentation supporting your project planning, budgeting, and organizational skills.

Letters of Recommendation

As a part of the February 22 deadline, we require applicants to have two reference letters submitted via the online application portal. Applicants will be asked to submit contact information for the letter writer, who will receive a link to submit the reference on the applicant’s behalf. All references will be sent a link to follow and instructed to write a letter asking for their "appraisal of the applicant on the basis of their past performance in a professional and/or academic setting, your perception of their talent, experience, potential for a career in theatre, commitment to their craft, and how the applicant can benefit from a concentrated or intensive training program."

Transcript

If you are invited to interview in New Haven in March, you will need to supply a transcript from any prior undergraduate educational experience, even if you didn’t graduate. A transcript is proof of education. It has a detailed record of all the subjects you have studied with your scores in the form of marks or grades given by the institution of study. The transcript will be due February 22 via the online application portal.

International Students

The TD&P program, like the rest of David Geffen School of Drama, gladly welcomes International students into the program each year. To be eligible, the application materials you submit must be in English, and you must demonstrate proficiency in English during your interview. If English is not your first language, we require the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT, under the following guidelines:

Must be taken by January 15, 2027
IELTS scores are accepted
School code: 3988

If you are invited to interview in New Haven in March, alternate arrangements for on-campus interviews, including via Zoom, can be made for international applicants who are unable to travel during the on-campus period.