About

The Yale Summer Session Acting Program offers an immersive, intensive program introducing foundational acting techniques. Rooted in Stanislavski’s principles, this five-week summer actors' conservatory is designed to equip aspiring actors with essential skills that form a solid base for advanced theater training. We believe that acting happens in the space between people — people who are fully embodied, breathing, and exchanging energy in the same space. We’re confident that you’ll come away from these five weeks with new skills, a deeper understanding of craft, and a more liberated sense of permission and play. More than just acting or scene study, the Yale Summer Session Acting Program offers students an entire program comprised of a series of sections, each focused on a fundamental element of acting. Sections concentrate on the following: acting, text analysis, on-camera acting, voice, clowning, and masterclasses. We divide the students into small sections that permit significant focus on individual work. We make sure that each student gets the personal attention needed for individual artistic growth. We think of the Acting Program as an experimental lab, and because of this, we offer no public performance or production of a play. Removing the pressure of an audience allows our students to focus on honing their skills for use in future performances. The lab structure also allows the faculty to focus equally on all students: because there are no leading performers, every student receives the same amount of attention. Outside of the classroom, students work, study, and play. Because the majority of class work is project-based and dependent on collaboration with other students, rehearsal time outside of class is valuable. Weekends are spent rehearsing and enjoying personal time.