“It’s truly an honor to share leadership with a visionary artist and producer like Adriana ,” shared Artistic Director Jacob G. Padrón (’08).
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. 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.

Isuri Wijesundara (’23), Abigail C. Unwunali (’23), and Mihir Kumar (’23) in HEDDA GABLER, by Henrik Ibsen, directed by Ron Van Lieu. David Geffen School of Drama, 2022. Photo © Leigh R. Busby.

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

ALMOST (NEARLY) FUCKING FINALLY by Christopher Bayes (Faculty) and the 2022 Company, directed by Christopher Bayes. David Geffen School of Drama 2022. Photo © Leigh R. Busby.

Baize Busan (’17), Andrew Burnap (’16), and Jonathan Majors (’16) in THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH by Thornton Wilder, directed by Luke Harlan (’16). David Geffen School of Drama, 2015. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

Julian Sanchez (’21) and Ilia Isorelýs Paulino (’20) in ALICE, concept by Robert Wilson, music and lyrics by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, libretto by Paul Schmidt, directed by Logan Ellis (’20). Photo by T. Charles Erickson, 2020.

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).

Moses Ingram (’19) in TWELFTH NIGHT by William Shakespeare, directed by Carl Cofield, Yale Repertory Theatre, 2019. Photo by Joan Marcus.

EVERYTHING THAT NEVER HAPPENED by Sarah B. Mantell (’17), directed by Jesse Rasmussen (’17). Photo by T. Charles Erickson, 2017.


Program News

Oct 18, 2022
Bill Connington (Faculty) Releases Second Feature Film
As Charles in “Poughkeepsie is for Lovers” writer-director and actor Connington surprised his colleagues and students with his transformation.
As Charles in “Poughkeepsie is for Lovers” writer-director and actor Connington surprised his colleagues and students with his transformation.