Application Requirements
by Department

Acting (M.F.A.)

An applicant to the Acting department submits a resumé, statement of purpose, three professional letters of recommendation, an official undergraduate transcript, and a current photograph. The required photograph is used only to relate the applicant’s application to the applicant’s audition. At least one of the professional letters of recommendation should be from a director with whom the candidate has worked. The two other letters may come from current or former teachers or theatre professionals who are familiar with the applicant’s history and achievements.

All acting applicants, including those living abroad, who meet the M.F.A. or Certificate requirements must audition in person according to the schedule. Each candidate must choose and present two memorized audition pieces — a verse selection from one of Shakespeare’s plays (no sonnets) and a modern or contemporary prose piece. The total time of this presentation should not exceed four minutes. A candidate should be prepared to present a third audition piece if requested.

At the end of each audition day, a candidate may be asked to return for a callback session so that the Admissions Committee can learn more about him or her and the work presented. During the callback, a candidate may be asked to participate in a physical or vocal warm-up, to sing a song, and to work with members of the Committee on his or her prepared pieces. A candidate may also be interviewed during the callback. An applicant should not request and will not be given an oral or written critique, either at the time of the audition or at a later date.

Once the first round of auditions is completed, approximately 30 applicants are invited to Yale School of Drama for a two-day callback session. During this time, candidates for acceptance have the opportunity to meet and work with faculty, talk with current students and department administrators, and learn more about the School of Drama and the city of New Haven. Sixteen actors are selected to become members of the first-year class, once the final callbacks have ended. The Acting department provides funds for travel and accommodations in New Haven for those who are called back. Dates for the final callback are February 28; March 1,2, 2009.

Acting (Certificate)

An applicant who has demonstrated professional commitment through working in the field, but for various reasons never completed an undergraduate degree, is eligible to pursue the Certificate in Drama program. An applicant for the certificate program who has been out of high school for fewer than five years cannot be considered and cannot appear for an audition. The applicant should be prepared to undertake graduate level academic work and advanced training in acting techniques. An applicant for certificate status follows the application and audition procedures as outlined above for the M.F.A. program.

Design (M.F.A. and Certificate)

An applicant’s application to the Design department must be complete at the time of an in-person portfolio review. The application includes a required one page or less statement of purpose, resumé, one letter of recommendation, in addition to the name and address of two other references, and an official transcript. An applicant who is unable to schedule an in-person portfolio review must mail the portfolio by March 13, 2009 to the Design Department, P.O. Box 208244, New Haven, CT 06520. Refer to Preparing the Portfolio for details.

Sound Design (M.F.A. and Certificate)

At the conclusion of a successful preliminary phone interview, an on-site personal interview is scheduled between February 1 and April 1 provided all the application materials have been received.

Earlier on-site visits or interviews can be arranged on an as needed basis. Alternate arrangements, including internet video conferencing, can be made for international applicants, or for applicants unable to travel during the personal interview period.

The on-site interview generally consists of an introductory meeting; a tour of the facilities; introductions to faculty, students, and staff; the portfolio review; a listening evaluation; an opportunity to see a play in rehearsal or performance; opportunities to sit in on classes; and a summary discussion. A two-day visit is recommended, but the process can be truncated to accommodate an applicant’s schedule.

An applicant is urged to submit his or her application as early as possible. No application will be considered after February 15, 2009. The applicant provides a resumé, a statement of purpose, an official undergraduate transcript, three letters of recommendation, and a photograph (non-professional acceptable) that is used only to relate the applicant’s application to the portfolio. Letters of recommendation may be submitted by professional associates, mentors, professors/teachers, or persons who can provide relevant character references. General references may be considered, but professional references are preferred. It is preferred that Sound Design portfolios be presented at the formal interview. Applicants need to provide a copy of any digitized materials, audio, images, drawings, etc. on CD or DVD. These copies are not returned. All paper or printed portions of the portfolio are returned at the conclusion of the personal on-site interview unless other arrangements are made.

Portfolio submissions may include any or all of the following materials: recorded, written, photographic, or drafted examples of recent design work in dramatic or musical theatre, performance art, radio, video, or other media. An applicant may also provide ‘paper’ projects as long as they are clearly described as such. The applicant must provide a written or verbal context for all the portfolio examples. A written summary of the intended design goals, an excerpt of the script/score/libretto with cue placements marked, an audio CD, DVD, or MD with a track list or cue sheet representing the elements described, and any drawings that represent the system design and layout must be included. Applicants submitting a reinforcement design for a musical should include any or all of the following documentation: full line drawings of the reinforcement system, a detailed equipment list, a microphone chart and layout for the orchestra (or band), a radio microphone schedule, cue sheets, recorded materials, photographs or any other supporting paperwork or research. In general, presenting a comprehensive view of a complete production process (large or small) is of most value when evaluating an applicant. Showing range of experience is also important. Contact David Budries (david.budries@yale.edu; 203.432.8827) with any questions.

Directing (M.F.A. and Certificate)

An applicant to the Directing department should submit a resumé listing plays directed, roles played, and any other artistically significant experiences and accomplishments. An applicant is considered for an interview only if the resumé indicates two years or more of professional directing experience since college graduation, although in rare cases exceptions may be made. The Admissions Committee thoroughly reviews all applications. From this review, a group of selected candidates is invited for an interview covering a range of topics and questions suggested by the candidate’s file. Neither oral nor written critiques of individual applications, interviews, or auditions are provided by faculty or staff involved in the admissions process. The deliberations of the Admissions Committee are confidential. The Committee conducts these interviews in Chicago, San Francisco, and New Haven. The interview dates are different from the Acting audition dates, and are subject to the Committee’s availability. Candidates living abroad are interviewed in person where circumstances allow; otherwise, they are interviewed by telephone.

After the interview, a limited number of finalists are invited to New Haven for a final callback audition. The invitation to the callback includes short scenes from a selection of modern and classical plays. The finalist chooses one of these scenes as audition material. While being observed by the faculty, the finalist directs two fully responsive actors provided by Yale School of Drama. For thirty to forty minutes, the finalist directs these actors in a manner that reveals his or her personal interpretation of the play and consequent rehearsal process. It is understood that the finalist will not complete the scene; that is not the goal. The primary concern of the faculty is how the applicant’s thematic ideas about the play translate into practical direction for the actors. For the audition, the School of Drama ensures the availability of four straight chairs and a plain table. An applicant may provide two hand props for the actors if he or she chooses. This rehearsal is followed by a conversation about the work done that day, the play chosen, and/or the art, craft, and social function of the theatre. The Directing department provides funds for travel and accommodations in New Haven for those who are called back.

Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism (M.F.A.)

An applicant to the Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism department submits a statement of purpose, resumé, three letters of recommendation (one must be academic in nature), official transcripts, and GRE test scores. The aim of the statement of purpose is to explore the applicant’s reasons for choosing a life in the theatre instead of describing specific career objectives. Two samples of critical writing (excluding fiction, poetry, plays, and translations) about theatre or drama must be submitted. One critical piece of no more than 1000 words in length must be written especially for this application. The subject of this short essay can be a play, production, or theatre artist — director, playwright, actor or designer. The other piece may be a paper submitted for a course or another essay. The length of this sample should not exceed 2000 words, though it may be excerpted from a larger work. Essays are not returned. The basic language requirement for the program is a sound reading knowledge of French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, or another language by departmental permission. The department’s admission committee invites qualified applicants for an in-person interview only after the review of the materials has been completed. Interviews are usually scheduled in late February or early March.

Playwriting (M.F.A. and Certificate)

An applicant to the Playwriting department should submit for consideration an original play, either full-length or one-act. Adaptations and collaborations may be submitted, but are reviewed only as supplementary to original and individual work. Musical scores, tapes, and CDs of musical works may be submitted, but cannot be returned. All writing samples are not returned. Special attention is given to the applicant’s statement of purpose. The resumé should include a list of plays written and produced, as well as all other theatre experience, such as acting, directing, or positions held within the theatre. Three letters of recommendation must be submitted.

The Playwriting department does not provide critiques of the writing samples.

Stage Management (M.F.A. and Certificate)

An applicant to the Stage Management department should have an undergraduate concentration in theatre studies or an equivalent in practical experience. The Admissions Committee reviews all applications and qualified candidates are scheduled for an in-person interview upon the receipt of the completed application. For the interview, an applicant should bring a prompt book, production book, or similar material to support his or her candidacy.

Technical Design and Production (M.F.A. and Certificate)

After an initial review of completed applications, each promising candidate is invited to schedule an interview either in New Haven during late February or early March, or at the national USITT Conference (www.usitt.org) usually held in March. Interviews in New Haven last approximately three hours. The interview includes meetings with several faculty and staff members, a tour of Yale School of Drama’s facilities, opportunities to meet current students, and a portfolio review. The portfolio should include such materials as technical drawings, production estimates, scheduling calendars, lighting plots, properties plots, and photographs of realized work.

Theater Management (M.F.A.)

An applicant submits a statement of purpose, resumé, three professional letters of recommendation, an official transcript, and the GRE test scores. The department may request the submission of writing samples. The Theater Management department directly schedules interviews for qualified applicants during February and March.

Technical Internship Certificate

An applicant must note his or her area of concentration (scenery, props, costumes, electrics, sound, or scene painting) and is required to submit Scholastic Aptitude Test (www.collegeboard. com) scores. After a review of the completed application, each promising candidate is invited to schedule an interview either in New Haven during late February or early March, or at the National usitt conference (www.usitt.org) usually held in March. Interviews in New Haven last approximately three hours. The interview includes meetings with several faculty and staff members, a tour of Yale School of Drama’s facilities, opportunities to meet current students, and a portfolio review.

The portfolio should include such materials as technical drawings, lighting plots, properties plots, and photographs of realized work.

Special Research Fellow

A special research fellow applicant must submit a complete application, including a current resumé, letters of recommendation, official transcript(s), and a statement detailing the intended research. Typically one or two fellows are accommodated each academic year.

Special Student

A special student applicant must apply according to the requirements and deadlines outlined for the department to which he or she is seeking admission. In the statement of purpose, the candidate should state the reasons for applying for special student status rather than for the degree or certificate program.