The Herb Alpert Award recognizes experimenters who are making something that matters within and beyond their field.
Design
The purpose of the Design program is to develop theater artists who are accomplished, committed, daring designers of costume, lighting, projection, set, and sound for the theater. The program encourages students to discover their own process of formulating design ideas, to develop a discriminating standard for their own endeavors, and above all to prepare for a creative and meaningful professional life in the broad range of theater activities.
The Design program is committed to dismantling racism by engaging in an ongoing examination of the policies and practices of the program and the profession in general in order to expose biases and systemic advantage/oppression where they exist and to build a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment through anti-racist practices.
100%
All students in degree and certificate programs receive full tuition scholarships.
67% of current students receive need-based aid for living expenses.
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.
Design students in class. David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2023. Photo © T Charles Erickson
A scene from THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS by William Shakespeare, adapted by Andreas Andreou and Abraham E. S. Rebollo-Trujillo, directed by Destyne R. Miller. David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, February 28–March 1, 2025. Photo © Maza Rey.
A scene from LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES by Christopher Hampton, from the novel by Choderlos de Laclos, directed by Destyne R. Miller. October 18–25, 2025, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. Photo © T. Charles Erickson
A scene from MACBETH by William Shakespeare, adapted by Jasmine Brooks and Tia Smith, directed by Jasmine Brooks. David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, April 4–5, 2025. Photo © T. Charles Erickson 2025.
Rehearsal for MEASURE FOR MEASURE by William Shakespeare, adapted by Alexis Kulani Woodard and Sophia Carey, directed by Alexis Kulani Woodard. January 26–27, 2024, David Geffen School of Drama. Photos by Maza Rey.
A scene from SORT by Ida Cuttler, directed by Alexis Kulani Woodard. The Carlotta Festival, David Geffen School of Drama. May 6–14, 2025. Photo © T. Charles Erickson.
A scene from SPUNK by Zora Neale Hurston, New Songs, Arrangements, and Music Supervision by Nehemiah Luckett; Choreography by nicHi douglas; directed by Tamilla Woodard. Yale Repertory Theatre, October 3-25, 2025. Photo © Joan Marcus.
Toni-Leslie James with design students in classroom. David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2019. Photo by Joan Marcus.
Program News
Feb 27, 2025
James Bundy ’95 will conclude record-breaking run June 30. 2026
“I’ve been fortunate to have my dream job right here for nearly 23 years. I feel a near-overwhelming sense of gratitude.”
“I’ve been fortunate to have my dream job right here for nearly 23 years. I feel a near-overwhelming sense of gratitude.”

