“[His] creativity and vision have supported advances in both drama education and practice and positioned Yale for leadership in the field.”
Acting
Yale University requires all students, other than those with approved medical or religious exemptions, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to have obtained a booster shot. According to University policy, vaccine exempt individuals must wear a mask at all times and maintain a six-foot social distance from others both indoors and outdoors, in addition to twice weekly testing. Theatrical production activity is central to the training in all programs at David Geffen School of Drama. Production work at the School and Yale Repertory Theatre requires everyone taking part to be vaccinated and boosted because we cannot guarantee that the production environment will support the ability to socially distance throughout rehearsals, tech and performances. Additionally, there are many in-class activities where a six-foot distance from faculty and other students cannot be accommodated. Therefore, we are not able to offer candidates who are not fully vaccinated and boosted admission to our programs. If you receive an offer to attend the School you will therefore need to attest to being fully vaccinated and having received a booster, and ultimately show proof of full vaccination and booster as authorized by the World Health Organization and Food and Drug Administration in accordance with Yale's COVID-19 guidelines.
The Acting program admits talented and committed individuals from a wide range of backgrounds who possess a lively intelligence, a strong imagination, a collaborative ethos, and a physical and vocal instrument capable of development and transformation, and prepares them for work as professional actors. The program of study combines in-depth classroom training with interdisciplinary production opportunities. At the same time, the state of our nation and our field calls all theater makers to prioritize anti-racist practices and pedagogies in order to create a more just and joyful profession. At the conclusion of their training, graduates will be prepared to work on a wide range of material in multiple genres and venues.
93%
Current Students Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid for Living Expenses
More than $8,000,000 in financial aid was awarded in 2020–21.
30+
Production Opportunities
Students apply theory to professional practice in production work at the School, Yale Rep, and Yale Cabaret.
8
Affinity Groups
Coalition-building and networking among students who share common interests, goals, and/or a self-identified background.

Evelyn Giovine (’19) and Juliana Aiden Martinez (’20) in TENT REVIVAL by Majkin Holmquist (’18), directed by Rory Pelsue (’18), David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2018. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

Christopher Bayes with actors in clown class. David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2019. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (’18), Danielle Chaves (’19) and Kineta Kunutu (’19) in ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare, directed by Em Weinstein (’19), David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2018. Photo by Brittany Bland (’19).

George Hampe (’17) and Brontё England-Nelson (’17) in ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE by John Ford, directed by Jesse Rasmussen (’17), David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2017. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

Gregory Wallace (Faculty), James Udom (’18), and Eboni Flowers in FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS, PARTS 1, 2 & 3 by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Liz Diamond (Faculty), Yale Repertory Theatre, 2018. Photo by Joan Marcus.

José Espinosa (’19), Abubakr Ali (’19), and Danielle Chaves (’19) in Clown class, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2018. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Stephanie Machado (’18) in rehearsal for WAIT, NOW… WHAT?!, the third-year acting project, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2018. Photo by Christina Fontana (’19).

WAIT… NOW, WHAT?! conceived and directed by Christopher Bayes, created by Christopher Bayes and the Company. Photo by Elsa GibsonBraden, 2018.

Patricia Fa’asua (’18) and Sean Boyce Johnson (’18) in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by William Shakespeare, directed by Jecamiah M. Ybañez (’19), David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2018. Photo by Brittany Bland (’19).

Robert Hart (’20) and Jakeem Powell (’19) in MARTY AND THE HANDS THAT COULD by Josh Wilder (’18), directed by Lucie Dawkins (’18), David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2018. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

JJ McGlone (’20), Louisa Jacobson (’19), and José Espinosa (’19) in THE GIRL IS CHAINED by Genne Murphy (’18), directed by Shadi Ghaheri (’18), David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2018. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

SWEAT by Lynn Nottage, directed by Joan MacIntosh (Faculty), David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2017. Photo by Courtney Jamison (’18).

Francesca Fernandez McKenzie ’18 in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, by William Shakespeare, directed by Jecamiah M. Ybañez, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. Photo by Brittany Bland, 2018.


Program News

Dec 22, 2021
James Bundy Reappointed Dean

Oct 21, 2021
Lileana Blain-Cruz, Teo Castellanos Among 2021 Doris Duke Artists
Faculty member and Resident Director Lileana Blain Cruz named 2021 Doris Duke Artist.
Faculty member and Resident Director Lileana Blain Cruz named 2021 Doris Duke Artist.