Acting

Tamilla Woodard, Chair
Grace Zandarski, Associate Chair
M.F.A. and Certificate

David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre require all students, technical interns, faculty, staff, and guest artists to follow Yale University's COVID vaccine policy, which strongly recommends vaccines. The Yale policy is subject to change pending changes to public health conditions. Additionally, community members will be asked to comply with any masking or testing policies set forth by the School, Yale Rep, or Yale University, should they arise.

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. Combining in-depth classroom training with interdisciplinary production opportunities, the program further recognizes and affirms the call for our field, our faculty, and our theater-makers-in-training to prioritize anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices and pedagogies in order to create a more just, joyful, and liberated profession. At the conclusion of their training, graduates will be prepared to work on a wide range of material in multiple genres and venues.

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All students in degree and certificate programs receive full tuition scholarships.

67% of current students receive need-based aid for living expenses.

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Production Opportunities

Students apply theory to professional practice in production work at the School, Yale Rep, and Yale Cabaret.

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Affinity Groups

Coalition-building and networking among students who share common interests, goals, and/or a self-identified background.

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Theater Managers Samanta Cubias (’24, SOM ’24) and Maya Louise Shed (’25), and Actor Malik James (’24) share their experiences leading fifth- and sixth-grade students in creating plays in one of David Geffen School of Drama at Yale’s signature extra-curricular programs.

Student Perspectives

The Dwight Edgewood Project

Actors Isuri Wijesundara and Malachi dré Beasley (’23) describe realizing the culmination of their education during a Shakespeare Repertory Production of Julius Caesar as one of their final roles at David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.

Student Perspectives

Finding Catharsis in Julius Caesar

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Program News

Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Mar 13, 2024

Da’Vine Joy Randolph on Oscar Win

The Best Supporting Actress also won a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role as Mary in The Holdovers.

Sheria Irving and Leland Fowler
Jan 18, 2024

Sheria Irving (’13) and Leland Fowler (’18) Cast in Sally & Tom at The Public Theater

Suzan-Lori Parks’s new play will also include work by Riccardo Hernández (’92, Co-chair of Design) and Alan C. Edwards (’11, faculty).

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