Acting
Acting Auditions: Cities, Dates, Travel Directions
2026 Auditions: Cities and Dates
Applicants should have self-scheduled their auditions using the online application process.
NEW HAVEN 2026
JANUARY 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, FEBRUARY 1
In New Haven, auditions are scheduled at the School of Drama, 149 York Street, New Haven, CT 06511. Get travel directions from Google Maps.
ATLANTA 2026
JANUARY 20, 21
In Atlanta, the Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309-3502
CHICAGO 2026
FEBRUARY 3, 4, 5
In Chicago, the Goodman Theatre, 170 N Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60601.
LOS ANGELES 2026
FEBRUARY 7, 8, 9
In Los Angeles, auditions will take place on the campus of California State University, Fullerton in the Clayes Performing Arts Center, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831
Final Acting Callback Sessions 2026
FEBRUARY 27, 28, MARCH 1, 2 (These dates are subject to change)
David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 217 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06511.
Once the first round of auditions and callbacks are completed, approximately 34 applicants are invited to David Geffen School of Drama for the Final Acting Callback Sessions. During this time, candidates for acceptance have the opportunity to meet and take classes with faculty, talk with current students and department administrators, and learn more about the School of Drama and the city of New Haven. The Acting department pays travel expenses and provides accommodations in New Haven for those who are called back. Sixteen actors are selected to become members of the first-year class, once the final callback auditions have ended.
Chair of the Acting Program, Tamilla Woodard, and Acting faculty members will conduct the auditions. They will introduce themselves and explain the audition and callback process to each group of applicants. Generally, you can expect to audition for one auditor. During any of the callback sessions, all the faculty members will likely be in the room to see your work.
The Committee looks forward to your presentation of two (2) memorized audition pieces. Your two contrasting pieces can be drawn from any period and any genre of theatrical literature. The total time of this presentation should not exceed five (5) minutes. We strongly advise candidates to be ready to present a third and even a fourth piece – in case members of the Audition Committee request to see additional material. All material must be fully memorized.
Auditions are scheduled in the morning at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., and in the afternoon at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Approximately twenty-four applicants are scheduled to audition during each time slot. Applicants complete their initial auditions and return to the reception area. Once all applicants from that group have gone, the Audition Committee will meet with each other. If the auditors wish to see any applicants from that group again, they will post a list of names for a brief Second Look Callback. If your name is not posted at this time, you will not be asked to repeat your audition for the Committee and you are free to leave.
At the end of the morning audition session, any applicant seen in a Second Look Callback should return to the reception area at approximately 12:00 p.m. to see if their name is posted for the End-of-Morning Callbacks, which will run from approximately 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In the afternoon, auditions are scheduled at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Similar to the morning, applicants complete their initial auditions and return to the reception area. Once all applicants from that group have gone, the Audition Committee will meet with each other. If the auditors wish to see any applicants from that group again, they will post a list of names for a brief Second Look Callback. Any applicant seen in a Second Look Callback should return to the reception area at approximately 6:00 p.m. to see if their name is posted for the End-of-Afternoon Callbacks, which will run from approximately 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The End-of-Morning and End-of-Afternoon Callback sessions allow the Committee to learn more about you and your presented work. During this callback session, you will likely participate in a physical and vocal warm-up, be asked to sing a song a capella, and work with members of the Committee on your prepared monologues. An interview will also take place during this callback.
For the morning audition slots (9 a.m. & 10 a.m.), auditioners may be asked to stay as late as 2 p.m. if they are called back. For the afternoon audition slots (2 p.m. & 4 p.m.), auditioners may be asked to stay as late as 8 p.m. if they are called back. Please plan your departure from each audition city accordingly.
The Acting Program at David Geffen School of Drama at Yale will hold in person auditions in New Haven, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Please read carefully the following COVID-19 audition safety guidelines for all in person auditioning applicants.
These policies and guidelines will be updated in response to local conditions and the policies of Yale University and are therefore subject to change. The latest information will be posted on this page.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:
All auditioning applicants are encouraged to be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations as recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention before their audition. We encourage all auditioning applicants to Rapid Antigen test within 24 hours before attending their audition.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR AUDITION:
Masks are welcome inside all audition rooms and during the check-in process. You may remove your mask during the audition. If you wish to remain masked for the duration of the audition you may do so. If you have been named as a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 in the last 5 days we encourage you to remain masked.