“I’ve been fortunate to have my dream job right here for nearly 23 years. I feel a near-overwhelming sense of gratitude.”
Acting
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.
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.

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

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.
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.