Curious about HB Studio? Step inside the room where artists train, grow, and connect. Join us for a free-to-attend special event featuring conversations with HB Studio’s distinguished faculty and current students. Hosted by Francesca Ferrara, HB Studio’s new Co-Executive Director of Programs, the afternoon features excerpt performances from a variety of HB classes, including:
In-process student work from HB’s advanced acting training from Acting 2 with Francesca Ferrara (a presentation from Stephen Adly Guirgis’s The Motherf*cker with the Hat with students Justo Hierro and Judith Elster)
An example of how HB encourages emotional and narrative truth in musical performance from Acting the Song with Jermaine Rowe (a musical performance from students Delilah Dunn and Benjamin Simon)
A live demonstration of training in movement, physical storytelling, and onstage safety from Stage Combat class with Christian Kelly-Sordelet (with students David Rodriguez and Angelo Aon)
Whether you’re considering enrolling in classes or want to better understand the HB philosophy, this is an easy, no-cost opportunity to engage with faculty, hear from students, ask questions about training at HB Studio. Join us and learn more about HB Studio’s mission: cultivating process-based training rooted in artistic freedom, professional discipline, and the legacy of Uta Hagen and Herbert Berghof!
HB Studio mourns the loss of Alexander Bernstein, our beloved Board Member Emeritus, who passed on July 22. Alexander was a gem of a human and a dear friend to Herbert, Uta, HB and the entire artistic community of NYC. His willingness to speak up against the current administration’s relentless assault on civil rights up to the very end marked him as an independent thinker. Alexander’s roots ran deep with HB. An HB student himself, his mother, Felicia Montealegre, also studied with Herbert Berghof, and his father, Leonard Bernstein, was an original board member of the HB Playwrights Foundation. He will be deeply missed.
In keeping with the wishes of his family, contributions in the memory of Alexander Bernstein can be made to Artful Learning, the visionary teaching model he developed to infuse creativity into the entire school curriculum.
There will also be a special event, Leonard Bernstein Remix!, paying tribute to Alexander and benefitting Artful Learning at City Winery on September 21. Hosted by Jamie Bernstein, the evening will feature David Amram, Edmar Castañeda, Darius de Haas, Fred Hersch, Janis Ian, Sharon Isbin, Eric Jacobsen, Pete Malinverni, Queer Urban Orchestra, Janis Siegel, The Ahn Trio with DJ Spooky, and Tony Yazbeck.
Alexander Bernstein was one of the sweetest souls to ever walk the earth. Always good-natured, he was incredibly funny and clever. Alexander was a true godchild of HB, as both his mother and father had close ties to Herbert Berghof and his aunt Ellen Ball was the Executive Director of HB Studio in the 1980s. He was also a fine actor. The best performance I saw Alexander give was as the “gentleman caller” in scenes from The Glass Menagerie. Alexander’s innate kindness and insightfulness allowed me to experience what Williams called just a “nice, ordinary, young man” as a complex individual who navigates an emotional minefield over the course of just a few minutes. It was a revelatory and unique performance that I remember vividly 40 years later. Dr. Wallace Johnson, HB Studio Board of Directors
Alex, when we were students a long time ago, would sit in the back row of Herbert Berghof’s class watching basketball on his portable Sony Watchman TV. This didn’t strike me as disrespectful; more that he was keeping an eye on multiple channels that excited or interested him, and, having experienced a thing or two already in the world of art, didn’t feel a need to hang on every word. He didn’t miss much though, and he was an advocate for everything he saw that was beautiful. He knew something about geniuses, he told me once. He drew other young creative persons into the Studio’s orbit and embraced his comrades, giving us the priceless gift of being a friend for life, beneficiaries of his shy sharp wit and contagious laughter. Once Alexander and I played the Dauphin and Joan from St. Joan for Uta Hagen in scene class (hubris!). I still think of him as that reluctant prince who would grow so fully into his own wisdom. Later when he let us talk him into serving on the HB Board, we mulled together over what it would take to wake students up to their unimagined possibilities, to seek the thinner air where art disrupts the status quo. So a series of master classes named for his mother Felicia came about, introducing artists like Mercedes Ruehl and Lonny Price to HB’s roster; and a series of public salons on race and racism led by Russell G. Jones through his Blind Spot project, all of which nudged HB forward on its way. There was much that Alexander saw, much he didn’t say; he was profoundly generous and we loved him dearly. The rest may be better said in music. Edith Meeks, HB Studio Former Executive & Artistic Director
Alexander was the smartest, funniest, kindest, most talented, most humble, affable, person in any room. I met him at HB Studio in Herbert’s class in the 80’s and a friendship and artistic collaboration was born and held up all these years. Kelly Wolf, HB Studio Faculty
Register for Fall Term 2025
Registration for HB Studio’s 2025 Fall Term classes and workshops for all ages and levels is now open – enroll now before the new school year begins on September 15!
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:
Fall Part A: Sept 15 – Oct 21 (no classes Oct 13)
Fall Part B: Oct 22 – Nov 25 (no classes Nov 4)
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 Fall Term Weekly Classes with code FALL25, valid through Aug 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 Fall Term Weekly Classes through Aug 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.
My experience so far in this program has been life changing, not only as an actor but as a person in my everyday life.
—Hagen Core Student
The most surprising aspect of this term for me was the strength I have found in myself and the commitment and just the work I have been doing ... I didn't think I could ever do what I have been doing.
