Yale University Acting Program | stageready

Private school6.8K

Yale University

New Haven, CT

Greek Life

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 Students

Browse programs

Quick Links

MFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 Students

Quick Links

MFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 Students

Quick Links

BA Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program Recognition

•One of the most prestigious drama programs in the world

•3-year residency program (rarely reduced)

•Class size: 15-17 actors per year

•MFA and Certificate students train together

Training

•Yale Repertory Theatre: teaching theater for DGSD, Actors' Equity membership attainable upon graduation

•Yale Cabaret: student-run artistic/management leadership

•30+ production venues available

•Work with renowned faculty and visiting professionals

•Training includes: Stanislavski methodology, voice-over, self-tape, Michael Chekhov, neutral mask, dance for actors

•Anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices integrated into pedagogy

•8 student affinity groups for coalition-building and networking

•Chair: Tamilla Woodard

•Associate Chair: Grace Zandarski

•Located in New Haven, CT

Notable Alumni

•Meryl Streep — 3-time Academy Award winner; most nominated actor in Oscar history

•Angela Bassett — Academy Award nominee (What's Love Got to Do with It); Black Panther

•Lupita Nyong'o — Academy Award winner (12 Years a Slave); Black Panther

•Tony Shalhoub — 4-time Tony winner; Emmy winner (Monk, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

•Courtney B. Vance — Tony winner (Lucky Guy); Emmy winner (The People v. O.J. Simpson)

•Liev Schreiber — Tony-nominated; Ray Donovan

•Yahya Abdul-Mateen II — Emmy winner (Watchmen); Aquaman

Academic info

Snapshot

4.17

Avg GPA (W)

Admit Rate

school-wide

96%

Grad Rate

6.8K

Enrollment

$101K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$23,777

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$67,250

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$17,633

$30-48k$15,626

$48-75k$17,943

$75-110k$12,558

$110k+$45,951

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated 5d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•One of the most prestigious drama programs in the world

•3-year residency program (rarely reduced)

•Class size: 15-17 actors per year

•MFA and Certificate students train together

Training

•Yale Repertory Theatre: teaching theater for DGSD, Actors' Equity membership attainable upon graduation

•Yale Cabaret: student-run artistic/management leadership

•30+ production venues available

•Work with renowned faculty and visiting professionals

•Training includes: Stanislavski methodology, voice-over, self-tape, Michael Chekhov, neutral mask, dance for actors

•Anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices integrated into pedagogy

•8 student affinity groups for coalition-building and networking

•Chair: Tamilla Woodard

•Associate Chair: Grace Zandarski

•Located in New Haven, CT

Notable Alumni

•Meryl Streep — 3-time Academy Award winner; most nominated actor in Oscar history

•Angela Bassett — Academy Award nominee (What's Love Got to Do with It); Black Panther

•Lupita Nyong'o — Academy Award winner (12 Years a Slave); Black Panther

•Tony Shalhoub — 4-time Tony winner; Emmy winner (Monk, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

•Courtney B. Vance — Tony winner (Lucky Guy); Emmy winner (The People v. O.J. Simpson)

•Liev Schreiber — Tony-nominated; Ray Donovan

•Yahya Abdul-Mateen II — Emmy winner (Watchmen); Aquaman

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•One of the most prestigious drama programs in the world

•3-year residency program (rarely reduced)

•Class size: 15-17 actors per year

•MFA and Certificate students train together

Training

•Yale Repertory Theatre: teaching theater for DGSD, Actors' Equity membership attainable upon graduation

•Yale Cabaret: student-run artistic/management leadership

•30+ production venues available

•Work with renowned faculty and visiting professionals

•Training includes: Stanislavski methodology, voice-over, self-tape, Michael Chekhov, neutral mask, dance for actors

•Anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices integrated into pedagogy

•8 student affinity groups for coalition-building and networking

•Chair: Tamilla Woodard

•Associate Chair: Grace Zandarski

•Located in New Haven, CT

Notable Alumni

•Meryl Streep — 3-time Academy Award winner; most nominated actor in Oscar history

•Angela Bassett — Academy Award nominee (What's Love Got to Do with It); Black Panther

•Lupita Nyong'o — Academy Award winner (12 Years a Slave); Black Panther

•Tony Shalhoub — 4-time Tony winner; Emmy winner (Monk, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

•Courtney B. Vance — Tony winner (Lucky Guy); Emmy winner (The People v. O.J. Simpson)

•Liev Schreiber — Tony-nominated; Ray Donovan

•Yahya Abdul-Mateen II — Emmy winner (Watchmen); Aquaman

Key Info

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

Application Fee

$110Waiver

Deadline

Acting application deadlineJan 2, 2026

Auditions

New Haven, CT auditionJan 16, 2026

New Haven, CT auditionJan 17, 2026

New Haven, CT auditionJan 18, 2026

New Haven, CT auditionJan 23, 2026

New Haven, CT auditionJan 24, 2026

New Haven, CT auditionJan 25, 2026

New Haven, CT auditionJan 30, 2026

New Haven, CT auditionJan 31, 2026

New Haven, CT auditionFeb 1, 2026

Chicago, IL audition - Goodman TheatreFeb 3, 2026

Chicago, IL audition - Goodman TheatreFeb 4, 2026

Chicago, IL audition - Goodman TheatreFeb 5, 2026

Los Angeles, CA audition - CSU FullertonFeb 7, 2026

Los Angeles, CA audition - CSU FullertonFeb 8, 2026

Los Angeles, CA audition - CSU FullertonFeb 9, 2026

Final callback - New HavenFeb 27, 2026

Final callback - New HavenFeb 28, 2026

Final callback - New HavenMar 1, 2026

Final callback - New HavenMar 2, 2026

Audition Requirements

Monologues

Requirements

•Two Contrasting Memorized PIECES, 5 min total

•Drawn from any period and any genre of theatrical literature

•2–2.5 min per piece recommended (3 min max per piece)

•Prepare 3rd and 4th pieces — Audition Committee may request additional material

•Material written for the stage tends to better serve actors

•All material must be fully memorized

Additional Materials

Resume

•Professional acting resume

Statement of Purpose

•3 pages or 1,000 words max

Three Letters of Recommendation

•At least ONE from a director you have worked with

•Two others from current/former teachers or theater professionals

Academic Transcript

•Required for all applicants

Current Photograph

•Used only to match application to audition

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply via DGSD online application tool

Eligibility

•M.F.A. — requires bachelor's degree from accredited college

•Certificate in Drama — for those without undergraduate degree (must be 5+ years out of high school)

•Both degrees train together in the same 3-year program

•No rolling admission — fall entry only

Important Notes

•AI-generated content prohibited in applications

•Unsolicited materials sent outside admissions process will not be reviewed

•Applicants discouraged from re-applying after 3 unsuccessful auditions

•One application and one audition per admissions cycle permitted

What's The Process

⚠️ IN-PERSON AUDITION REQUIRED — no video auditions accepted

Audition Process

•Present 2 contrasting memorized pieces from any period/genre of theatrical literature

•Total presentation should not exceed 5 minutes

•Prepare 3rd and 4th pieces in case Committee requests additional material

•Audition for one auditor; callback sessions include full faculty

•~34 finalists invited to DGSD in New Haven

•Meet faculty, take classes, talk with current students

•DGSD pays travel and accommodations for final callbacks

•16 actors selected for first-year class

•Final decisions communicated by April 1

Audition Expectations

•Committee may post names for "Second Look" callbacks after each audition group

•End-of-session callbacks include: physical/vocal warm-up, a cappella song, monologue work with faculty, and interview

•Morning auditioners may stay until 2 PM; afternoon until 8 PM

Scholarship Info

Tuition

•All students in degree and certificate programs receive full tuition scholarships

Living Expenses

•67% of current students receive need-based aid for living expenses

Academic info

Snapshot

4.17

Avg GPA (W)

Admit Rate

school-wide

96%

Grad Rate

6.8K

Enrollment

$101K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$23,777

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$67,250

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$17,633

$30-48k$15,626

$48-75k$17,943

$75-110k$12,558

$110k+$45,951

View full data on College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•One of the most prestigious drama programs in the world

•3-year residency program (rarely reduced)

•Class size: 15-17 actors per year

•MFA and Certificate students train together

Training

•Yale Repertory Theatre: teaching theater for DGSD, Actors' Equity membership attainable upon graduation

•Yale Cabaret: student-run artistic/management leadership

•30+ production venues available

•Work with renowned faculty and visiting professionals

•Training includes: Stanislavski methodology, voice-over, self-tape, Michael Chekhov, neutral mask, dance for actors

•Anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices integrated into pedagogy

•8 student affinity groups for coalition-building and networking

•Chair: Tamilla Woodard

•Associate Chair: Grace Zandarski

•Located in New Haven, CT

Notable Alumni

•Meryl Streep — 3-time Academy Award winner; most nominated actor in Oscar history

•Angela Bassett — Academy Award nominee (What's Love Got to Do with It); Black Panther

•Lupita Nyong'o — Academy Award winner (12 Years a Slave); Black Panther

•Tony Shalhoub — 4-time Tony winner; Emmy winner (Monk, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

•Courtney B. Vance — Tony winner (Lucky Guy); Emmy winner (The People v. O.J. Simpson)

•Liev Schreiber — Tony-nominated; Ray Donovan

•Yahya Abdul-Mateen II — Emmy winner (Watchmen); Aquaman

Updated 5d ago

Yale University

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info