News & Events

First Floor Studio Residency – BEE

BEE
A First Floor Studio Residency Project

Created by Melody Erfani
Written by Sean Michael Welch

Saturdays & Sundays – November 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 | 7:30 pm

BEE is the story of Izat, a young Iranian girl trapped in an abusive marriage in the 1940’s. After years of suffering both physically and mentally at the hands of her spouse, she knows the only way she will survive is if she is able to leave him. In an unprecedented move, her father is able to use his influence to secure a divorce for her. The story intertwines with interviews from immigrants who have had to make the difficult choice of leaving their homeland because their very survival was at stake.

Lower East Side Shakespeare Co. has taken on a new challenge in that they are producing new work in the vein of creating like Shakespeare. BEE created by Melody Erfani and written by Sean Michael Welch is a piece that is intended to start dialogue and discussion.

SHIRLEY VALENTINE by Willy Russell

SHIRLEY VALENTINE
by Willy Russell
Directed by Carol Rosenfeld

Featuring: Antonietta Corvinelli

Assistant Director Kenneth Thompson
Set Designer Nikolay Svridchik
Light Designer Liz Nielsen
Sound Designer Aaron Minerbrook
Costume Designer Michael Massee
Stage Manager Richard Lear*
Assistant Stage Manager Camilo Ramirez

Saturday, October 14 at 7pm & Sunday, October 15 at 3pm
HB Playwrights Theatre, 124 Bank Street
FREE

A holiday in Greece refreshes a Liverpool housewife in more ways than one.

“Shirley Valentine” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
*Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, Equity approved Showcase.

This program is supported in part through public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and many generous supporters.

Upcoming Half-Term Classes for Fall 2017

Join us for the second half of Fall Term with one of these 5-week classes or workshops:

Singing for the Musical Theater – Studio Practice – with Helen Gallagher
3:15 PM – 5:45 PM | Tuesdays | 10/17/2017 – 11/14/2017 | $230
By submission.

Art of Transformation – Part 2 – with Janice Orlandi
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Wednesdays | 10/18/2017 – 11/15/2017 | $180

Actuar en Español / Acting in Spanish – with Pablo Andrade & Maria Fontanals
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Mondays | 10/23/2017 – 11/20/2017 | $230

Acting in Accent: Cockney – with Amanda Quaid
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Fridays | 10/20/2017 – 11/17/2017 | $205.00
Application required. Apply online by October 6, 2017

Amy Herzog Scene Study – with Austin Pendleton
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM | Mondays | 10/16/2017 – 11/13/2017 | $275.00
Open to Studio Practice Level students or by application. Apply online by October 2.

María Irene Fornés Scene Study – with George Bartenieff & Paul Pryce
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Fridays | 10/20/2017 – 11/17/2017 | $270.00

Acting Through the Method of Etudes 1 – Monologues – with Snezhana Chernova
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Sundays | 10/22/2017 – 11/19/2017 | $270.00

The Actor and the Business – with Vincent Pastore
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Tuesdays | 11/7/2017 – 12/5/2017 (4 weeks) | $250.00

Intro to Stage Combat – with Christian Kelly-Sordelet
1:15 PM – 3:15 PM | Tuesdays | 11/7/2017 – 12/12/2017 | $180.00

Advanced Acting with the Camera – with Mark Blum
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Saturdays | 11/11/2017 – 12/16/2017 | $325.00
Open to Level 2 & Up or by a submission or audition

HB Studio’s Spanish-Language class featured in El Especialito newspaper

Article in El Especialito newspaper about the Actuar en Español class

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2025

Reza Salazar‘s The Zora Project, a series of community workshops in collaboration with Tanya Birl-Torres that honors the legacy of Zora Neale Hurston, continues at The Shed with “The Fire Dance: Exploring Zora Neale Hurston’s Lost Choreographic Works” on June 21 and “Glitter in the Dust: Exploring the Work-Song Tradition” on July 19.

Janice Orlandi will serve as Movement Director for The Other Mozart at Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival from August 1-25.

Jessica Hecht was nominated for a 2025 Tony Award in the Best Featured Actress in a Play category for her role as Suzanne in Eureka Day.

Peter Francis James directs, and Charlotte Bydwell assistant directs, All’s Well That End’s Well at the Old Globe in San Diego from June 8 – July 6.

Mercedes Ruehl directs two HB alums, Michael S. Horowitz and T.M. Rawlins, in Heisenberg at the Chain Theatre from May 1-11.

Lisa Pelikan performs in Cracked Open at Theatre Row from May 6 – June 28.

Daniel Pearce performs as Brabantio in Othello on Broadway (starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal) at the Barrymore Theatre through June 8.

Jessica Hecht stars in A Mother, co-conceived by Hecht and Neena Beber, at Baryshnikov Arts from March 29 – April 13.

David Deblinger‘s Implicit Memory Systems: A Jungian Farce opens at LAByrinth Theater Company’s 59e59 Theater as part of their Barn Series 2025 on Feb 20 at 7:15pm.

The film The Nana Project, starring Mercedes Ruehl, begins streaming on major platforms.

Maria Fontanals stars in El Espacio Entremedias (The Space in Between) at Teatro Círculo for eight performances between Feb 14-23 (performed in Spanish with Overtitles in English).

Jessica Hecht stars in Eureka Day on Broadway at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre with shows running until Feb 16.

Christopher Abbott stars in the feature Wolf Man, a reimagined take on the 1941 classic gothic horror film, in theaters now.

Jack Vincent Moran performs in Zero Day, a TV Mini Series streaming on Netflix starting Feb 20.

Faculty News Archive

Rachel Christopher join the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway, playing Hermione Granger.

Jermaine Rowe will be live-streaming his solo performance Transitions on Nov 8 at 7:00pm.

Jean-Marc Berne won the Earphones Award for the audiobook narration of House of Bone And Rain, written by Gabino Iglesias.

Christopher Abbott stars in the feature Wolf Man, a reimagined take on the 1941 classic gothic horror film. Expected to release in 2025.

Mark Nelson performs The Lehman Trilogy at Guthrie Theater in Minnesota. Runs Sept 14–Oct 13.

Fred Weller performs in the upcoming Amazon Prime series, Better Sisters with Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel.

Snezhana Chernova plays Olga Knipper- Chekhova in the play Dear Anton, Dear Olga! written by Tatyana Korinfsky at Polaris North Studio 245 West 29th Street, 4th floor, NYC. Friday, Aug 16 & Saturday, Aug 17 at 7:30pm; Sunday, August 18 at 5:30pm.

Snezhana Chernova is the cultural consultant for The Meeting The Interpreter at Theatre at St. Clement’s, featuring HB Faculty alum, Frank Wood and Kelly Curran. Performances run July 29–Aug 25.

Julie McKee‘s play Will Sacrifice is playing at Chester Theatre Company. Performances run July 25–Aug 8.

Fred Weller performs in the upcoming Amazon Prime series, Better Sisters with Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel.

Jessica Hecht will be back on Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club in Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector, directed by Anna D. Shapiro. Coming Fall 2024.

Magaly Colimon-Christopher directs Searching for Abuelo, written/performed by Gretchen Suarez-Pena will be performed at Theatre Row on June 13 at 8 pm as part of the 2024 Downtown Urban Arts Festival. Use discount code: halfDUAF for 50% off tickets.

Jack Vincent Moran performs in Zero Day, streaming soon on Netflix.

Laila Robins and Mark Nelson perform in a one-night performance of Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House with Gingold Group. Performance is on May 20 at 7:00pm.

Magaly Colimon-Christopher‘s company Conch Shell Productions’ is now distributing short films previously screened at Conch Shell International Film Fest via www.Hoopladigital.com on their new channel – CSIFF CHANNEL. Hoopladigital is a FREE digital library service that offers movies & more to public library patrons. HooplaBingepass is available to library card holders in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

Paul Pryce is invited as a special guest to attend the inaugural Cross Continental Co-Production Forum (CFF) in Barbados and Trinidad. This forum brings together media executives and high level producers from Canada, UK, South Africa, and several Caribbean countries, aiming to encourage collaboration, business development, and co-productions. This year’s focus will be ‘Decolonizing the co-production process for the benefit of the Global South.’

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Fall Term is underway. Classes are still open for registration.

Select your classes here!
Fall Term will run 10 weeks, Sept 11 – Nov 19, 2017.
We also offer a variety of short-term workshops.

INTAKE AUDITION / CONSULTATIONS: Interested in our upper level classes? Audition & consult with a panel of HB’s faculty to discuss your goals, where you are in the work, and plan your course of study at HB Studio. For audition schedule, details and sign up info, visit the Auditions & Prerequisites page.

REEL SUBMISSIONS: Are you a working professional seeking a place to practice? Submit your reel and resume for placement into our studio practice classes.

UNION DISCOUNT: AEA, AGVA, AGMA, SAG/AFTRA, WGA and Dramatist Guild Members can receive 10% OFF Fall Term Classes. To receive a union discount, you must present your membership card in the registration office, or email a copy to registration@hbstudio.org.*

(*Discounts valid for Studio Classes only; not valid for workshop offerings, full-time programs or merchandise. Discounts cannot be combined nor applied retroactively.)

HB Residency Project “BEE” Seeks Middle Eastern Actresses

BEE has received a residency with HB Studio for the end of October to mid November 2017, and they are looking for an ensemble that is creative and open to playing.

This is a new work based on Izat Erfani’s life in Langarud, Iran set in 1940’s. The focus of the work is a young woman trying to give her children more and intertwine that with the interviews from Middle Eastern immigrants and refugees. The piece will include movement and original compositions.

The play will be performed by only females and will have women playing men. The ages listed are the character’s age but the actress’ age is flexible.

If interested in auditioning please email lesshakespeareco@gmail.com selecting a date and a time slot will be given.
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Herbert Berghof: A Birthday Celebration

September 13, 2017

– CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS –

“Fine acting is the pure use of yourself for living, nothing else.”

Celebrating our founder, Herbert Berghof, on his 108th birthday, HB Studio presents a reading of A Betrothal by iconic American playwright Lanford Wilson featuring *Rochelle Oliver, *George Morfogen, and directed by *Austin Pendleton.

Dedicated by Lanford as a valentine to Berghof and his wife and partner, Uta Hagen, this one-act explores the encounter between two rivals at a flower breeders’ competition. The evening will also feature readings from Herbert’s letters, remembering him through his own words and reflections.

September 13, 2017

7:00 pm

HB Playwrights Theater

124 Bank Street, NYC 10014

$250 – Premiere Tickets

$150 – Preferred Tickets

$25 – HB Student Tickets

– CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS –

A Betrothal is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

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Summer FUNdraising Bash

August 24, 2017 | 7:00 pm

Help HB reach our summer FUNdraising goal!

Celebrate end-of-term with HB friends, faculty and staff, hanging out in the HB Playwrights Theater and garden on a warm summer night. Enjoy free food, cash bar, and LIVE MUSIC with