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Yale University

New Haven, CT

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredNo University App

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredNo 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 RequiredInterview RequiredNo University App

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Ultra-Selective12-24 Students

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

School Info

Snapshot

4.17

Avg GPA (W)

Admit Rate

school-wide

96%

Grad Rate

6.8K

Enrollment

$101K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$72,500

Before aid

Average Net Price

$23,777

After aid

Coa · finaid.yale.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 20, 2:54 PM

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

Enrollment Term

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

Apply

School Website

Fee

Application Fee

$110

Application Requirements · drama.yale.edu

Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

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

Application Requirements · drama.yale.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply via DGSD online application tool

Eligibility

MFA — 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

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

In-person audition required; video auditions are not accepted

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 full-time DGSD students receive full tuition scholarships

Living Expenses

All students receive guaranteed work-study employment each year

Need-based scholarship aid may be available for major living expenses

School Info

Snapshot

4.17

Avg GPA (W)

Admit Rate

school-wide

96%

Grad Rate

6.8K

Enrollment

$101K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$72,500

Before aid

Average Net Price

$23,777

After aid

Coa · finaid.yale.edu 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 Aug 20, 2:54 PM