The scenic designer receives $10,000 grant.
Design
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 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.
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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.

Brittany Bland (’19) with Wendall Harrington (Faculty) at a projection design installation at Yale University Art Gallery, 2017. Photo by Joan Marcus.

CHOIR BOY by Tarell Alvin McCraney (Faculty), directed by Christopher D. Betts (’22), Yale Repertory Theatre, 2022. Photo © Joan Marcus.

AFFINITY by Rebecca Adelsheim and Alex Keegan, based on the novel by Sarah Waters, directed by Alex Keegan. David Geffen School of Drama, 2022. Photo © T. Charles Erickson.

TWELFTH NIGHT by William Shakespeare, directed by James L. Fleming. David Geffen School of Drama, 2021. Photo © Leigh R. Busby.

SHE KILLS MONSTERS by Qui Nguyen, directed by Adrienne D. Williams. David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2021. Photo © T. Charles Erickson.

Costume Figure Drawing with Oana Botez. David Geffen School of Drama, spring 2022. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Toni-Leslie James with design students in classroom. David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2019. Photo by Joan Marcus.


Program News

Nov 01, 2022
CAMELOT at Lincoln Center Features School of Drama Talent
Andrew Burnap (’16) will star, with designs by Michael Yeargan (’73, Faculty), Jennifer Moeller (’06).
Andrew Burnap (’16) will star, with designs by Michael Yeargan (’73, Faculty), Jennifer Moeller (’06).