The class, taught by award-winning playwright José Rivera, focuses on the practicality of writing for the theater, leading students through a variety of exercises – crafting monologues, exploring archetypes and dreams, analyzing the building blocks of stories, and more – to build their fundamental knowledge of playwriting. Now, those students will present 10-minute pieces formed during the workshop, featuring work by Yoko Akashi, Tracy Daza, James Edwards, Joey Florez, Kevin Lynch, Juan Jose Mojica, Janet Noh, Mateu Parellada, Fareeda Pasha, Luis Perez, Colin Prato, Devin Shacket, Madison Stranahan, Valerie Trapp, Luise von Finckh, and Melvin Yen at Helen Gallagher Studio Theatre at HB Studio, 120 Bank Street.
HB teacher José Rivera’s 26 full-length plays, including his Obie Award-winning plays Marisol and References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot, have been seen nationally and internationally and translated into a dozen languages, while his famous essay “36 Assumptions About Playwriting” is used in playwriting classes nationwide. His screenplay The Motorcycle Diaries was nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar (making him the first Puerto Rican writer so honored), as well as a BAFTA and WGA Award. Rivera also co-created and produced the TV series Eerie, Indiana and was a staff writer on Penny Dreadful: City of Angles. During the pandemic Rivera wrote all 16 episodes of the TV adaptation of the beloved novel One Hundred Years of Solitude on Netflix.
Under the guidance of Rivera, these students have built a strong foundation for their playwriting journeys. Friends, family, and fellow artists are invited to support them as they demonstrate their hard work in a welcoming, educational setting.
Hagen Teacher's Lab – August 11-15
This summer, we invite you to hone your skills of instruction and theaterwork at The Uta Hagen Institute’s Hagen Teacher’s Lab at HB Studio. This intensive, five-day program is designed to serve professional teachers and actors who want to expand their understanding of the proven benefits of Hagen’s method.
“It changed my teaching. It changed my life…the experience and generosity of the Hagen Teacher’s Lab teachers were extraordinary.” – Flori Doyle, Board of Directors, New York State Theatre Education Association
Immerse yourself in Uta Hagen’s approach to acting and teaching
Meet & Greet: Sun, Aug 10, 2025, 12-3pm Lab Sessions: Mon – Fri, Aug 11 – 15, 2025, 9:30am-5pm Wrap-Up: Fri, Aug 15, 5-6pm Location: HB Studio, 120 Bank Street, NYC
The Uta Hagen Institute’s Hagen Teacher’s Lab is an intensive, five-day program where artists and educators from around the world come to continue their professional development. The program is designed to serve teachers, future teachers, and professional actors who wish to explore and expand their understanding and experience of Uta Hagen’s approach to acting and teaching.
In the artistic home where Uta Hagen taught her legendary professional classes for more than 50 years
Experience the depth and value of Uta Hagen’s Object Exercises and Scene Study process. Led by HB Studio faculty who trained directly with Uta Hagen, we will explore the infinite potential of the exercises in the actor’s practice, and apply the same rigorous values to scene work. Through participation and discussion, we see the individual talent revealed and released through this approach. As an actor, you will be asked to prepare an exercise and rehearse a scene. As a teacher, you will consider how to empower each actor’s discovery through clear, specific guidance.
The extremely practical exercises found in Uta Hagen’s world-famous books, Respect for Acting and A Challenge for the Actor, probe the depths and heights of human behavior.
They offer the actor a structure for lifelong practice exploring the dynamic interaction between sensory/emotional experience and the creative imagination. They hone the actor’s ability to actively live through the circumstances of the play and the character’s dilemma. When the work becomes a part of the actor’s process, unpremeditated truthful behavior replaces cliché and easy sentiment in performance. The actor grows to honor an authentic, present and intuitively responsive self in the role while making imaginative choices that serve the play.
Upon registration, you will be given guidelines on how to prepare for the workshop. Rehearsal outside class is required.
Daily Schedule:
• 9:30am-10:25am Vocal Warm-up
• 10:30am-1:00pm Technique
• 1:00pm-2:00pm Lunch
• 2:00pm-4:30pm Scene Study
• 4:30pm-5pm Discussion
AUDITS:
If you are interested in auditing (observing) one or two sessions of the Hagen Teacher’s Lab, you may request to do so at the link below. Approved auditors are allowed to audit up to two days. Audits cost $45 per day.
Hagen Teacher’s Lab Refund Policy: A refund of $600 will be given through one month prior to the start date of the Lab. No refunds will be given within less than one month of the Lab start date.
HB Studio offers professional classes in the dramatic arts for committed actors, directors, and playwrights—beginning and experienced—to hone their skills in a community of peers and mentors. In the spirit of our founders, Uta Hagen and Herbert Berghof, we seek to foster an environment where creative freedom prevails and artists are challenged to take their work to the next level.
Browse classes in the navigation menu to the left (desktop) or above (mobile).
HB offers a progressive sequence of ongoing weekly classes, which meet for 10-week terms four terms a year. Some classes are offered in two 5-week parts (Part A & Part B) which can be taken independently or together.
Choose one class at a time, or design your own part-time or full-time schedule.
ACTING AUDITIONS for advanced classes are held monthly, or submit a reel …learn more
AUDITS: Observe any of our Online Weekly Classes one time per instructor for $20.00 per audit. Currently, audits are only available for Online Classes…learn more
WEEKLY SCHEDULE: To browse classes by day of week, view the calendar
Special seminars and master classes are offered between terms, and a variety of short-term skill-building and professional development workshops are offered throughout the year.
Most classes run for 10 weeks, while some classes are offered in two 5-week parts (Part A & Part B) which can be taken independently or together:
Summer Part A: June 12 – July 18 (no classes June 19 nor July 4)
Summer Part B: July 19 – Aug 22)
A $15 discount will apply when registering for both parts. Sign up for either Part independently (5 weeks each), or join both for the full 10-week term. You may join Part B without taking Part A.
Registration for WORKSHOPS is ongoing – check back regularly for new offerings.
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT:* Get 5% OFF Summer Term Weekly Classes with code SUMMER25W, valid through May 31, 2025. You are prohibited from using the Early Bird Discount code when receiving a Union Discount.
UNION DISCOUNT:* AEA, AGVA, AGMA, SAG/AFTRA, WGA, UFT, and Dramatist Guild Union Members or international equivalent receive 15% OFF Summer Term Weekly Classes through May 31 and 10% OFF thereafter. Discount will automatically apply for HB-verified Union Members. To become verified, email a copy of your active union membership card to registration@hbstudio.org. You are prohibited from using the Early Bird Discount code when receiving a Union Discount.
*Discounts valid for weekly classes only; not valid for workshops, programs or merchandise. Discounts cannot be combined nor applied retroactively. Union discount applies for classes taken by cardholders only and cannot be used to enroll family or friends. APPLYING MULTIPLE DISCOUNTS IS PROHIBITED.
Descuento de NYC Latin Media: Los miembros de NYC Latin Media pueden auditar* gratuitamente una clase o taller en el estudio y recibir un 20% de descuento** en todas clases del estudio y talleres. El descuento será aplicado automáticamente para miembros verificados por HB. Para convertirse en usuario verificado, debe mandar un correo electrónico a inscripciones@hbstudio.org con detalles de su membresía de NYC Latin Media.
*Incluye una sesión gratuita por instructor. No se permite auditar múltiples veces la misma clase. **Los descuentos son solamente válidos para clases semanales y talleres, no son válidos para programas o mercancías. Los descuentos no pueden ser combinados ni se aplicarán con efecto retroactivo. El descuento para los socios es aplicado para clases tomadas solamente por miembros de NYC Latin Media y no puede ser utilizado para inscribir familiares o amigos.
The game of make-believe is a crucial game for the artist.
—Herbert Berghof
Ilse Pfeifer teaching speaking voice and clown
About HB Studio Classes in the Dramatic Arts
For those just starting out or those seeking to reconnect with the basics, Level 1 classes are open to all without audition, placement, or prerequisite. Classes at Levels 2 and 3 build on the foundational skills addressed at Level 1. For those at an advanced level of training and for the professional actor seeking a place to work out, renew, stretch, and explore, we offer ongoing classes at the Studio Practice Level. Level 2, Level 3, and Studio Practice acting classes require audition or placement.
Actors interested in intensive, fast-track, full-time training in the dramatic arts are encouraged to apply for the Uta Hagen Institute’s one-year Core Training or 6-week Summer Intensive program. In these programs, you train as an ensemble in a rigorous, integrated sequence of daily classes.
We strongly encourage all students to acquaint themselves with the policies regarding refunds, credits, and transfers before registering for classes. Students may audit classes prior to enrollment. There are no refunds or credits once you register and the class is under way, except in the case of serious illness or withdrawal for military service. Requests for these exceptions must be made within three weeks of the first day the student is absent from class.
