Announcements & Upcoming

While We Are Here: When Theatre Becomes Refuge

This weekend, don’t miss this documentary portrait of HB Studio as a living refuge for actors, created by current HB student Sara Velasco.

While We Are Here: When Theatre Becomes Refuge

Screening: While We Are Here: When Theatre Becomes Refuge
Sunday, January 18 at 7:30pm
HB Playwrights Theatre | 124 Bank Street, NY
Free

While We Are Here: When Theatre Becomes Refuge is a love letter to the HB Studio community and to the path of the actor—fragile, uncertain, and deeply collective. The film brings together voices from across the HB community—artists, teachers, and staff from many parts of the world—each carrying their own story, their own path, and their own reasons for being here, while sharing a common commitment to the work.

Created by Sara Velasco, an actress and filmmaker currently studying at HB Studio as a Fulbright grantee, the documentary emerges from her experience living in New York City and discovering HB Studio as an oasis—a place of calm and silence in contrast to the constant noise outside. Inside its walls, time slows down. There is space for listening, shared work, and human connection.

Rather than competition, the film observes a community built around training, questioning, and continuing forward together. Through interviews, classroom moments, and carefully shaped scenes, While We Are Here offers a collective portrait of HB Studio as it exists today—honoring its legacy while reflecting on why this space continues to matter.

This first public screening invites the HB community and friends of the studio to gather, reflect, and experience this portrait of theatre as refuge.

Student Resources

Welcome to HB Studio!

Welcome all new and returning artists to our Winter semester at HB Studio!

First things first: join us on social media on Instagram at @hbstudionyc and opt into the HB Studio email list by going to the website and clicking the “Join our Mailing List” button. That’s the best way to find out more about new classes, financial aid, free events, special discounts, ticket offers, and to hear about where your classmates and teachers are currently performing. The HB email list is also where we post the dates for the regularly scheduled performances, showcases, talks, and workshops taking place at the HB Playwrights Theatre at 124 Bank Street. These events are a great way to connect and network with fellow artists, alumni, faculty and industry professionals, so we hope you join us by reserving tickets. 

Student ID cards: Another benefit of subscribing to our weekly newsletter is that’s where you’ll find updates with all the newest benefits you receive with your ID card. You can pick up your 2025/26 student ID card at the front door of the building when you check in. Scan the ID’s QR code to find out more about the benefits of being part of the HB community. If you’re returning to HB, you’ll want to get an updated card.

HB Library: While you’re in the admin office, ask to check out our sizable lending library of plays and theater education texts.  You can browse titles in the library online.

In the Classroom: All students at HB Studio are required to maintain the basic professional standards that will always be asked of you if you take part in any rehearsal or performance: attend every scheduled class, show up consistently at the appointed time, prepare yourself with what has been asked of you by your teacher, and commit to the memorization and scene rehearsal necessary between classes.  Your professor, your classmates, and your future self will thank you!

Guidance and Financial Aid: You can also always stop by the admin office (on the 3rd floor of 120 Bank Street) to speak with our team about the next step on your acting journey. HB Staff will be happy to work with you to find the right class that fits your schedule and interests and to help you navigate potential financial aid and work study programs. If you have a question during off hours, drop an email to registration@hbstudio.org and we’ll get back to you shortly.

Show Your HB Pride: Let everyone know you’re a part of the HB community with these official shirts, hoodies, water bottles, and totes, all available exclusively on Bonfire.  A percentage of profits from the sales of these items comes back to HB, so it’s a great way to support the Studio all around!

Audits: If you’d like to bring a friend to come with you to your class, we offer the option to audit a single classroom day for only a $25 fee. You can also take advantage of our audit program to check out other classes to prepare for next semester. You can sign up in person in the admin office for audits or sign up online.

Rehearsal Space: If you have a project you’re working on that requires rehearsal space, we have multiple studios as well as the Bank Street theater available for rental for prices as low as $23 an hour with a one hour minimum. To find out more, visit our rental space agreement page online or contact venuestaff@hbstudio.org.

If you have any questions or ideas about HB Studio, drop us a line via our contact form. And again, welcome to the HB community!

Student Discounts

A 20% discount with the HB Student Identification card is currently available at:

Bus Stop Cafe
597 Hudson Street

A 10% discount with the HB Student Identification card is currently available at:

BookBook
266 Bleecker Street

Capezio Dance Theatre Shop
201 Amsterdam Avenue @69th Street

Integral Yoga Institute NYC
227 West 13th Street

Prosmile Dental Services
53 West 72nd Street @ Columbus Avenue

Students may also use the card for discounted tickets at participating theatres. Contact the venue box office in advance to inquire about any discounts with your student ID card. Check our email Weekly Notice or the 2nd-floor bulletin board for current student discounts and ticket offers.

Uta Hagen’s classic acting texts, A CHALLENGE FOR THE ACTOR and RESPECT FOR ACTING, and DVDs of UTA HAGEN’S MASTER CLASS are available for sale in the 3rd-floor office. We also carry the anthology THE TRAINING OF THE AMERICAN ACTOR, which features an article by Carol Rosenfeld on Uta Hagen’s way of teaching, Carol Rosenfeld’s workbook ACTING AND LIVING IN DISCOVERY, and Jack Garfein’s LIFE AND ACTING.

Housing

Popular resources for apartment and roommate searches include:
Craigslist
Streeteasy For Rent (formerly Naked Apartments)
PadMapper
Roomi
Apartment Guide

Co-ed Residences

92Y RESIDENCE
Private room and shared room options available
1395 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10128
PHONE: 212-415-5660 / TOLL FREE: 800-858-4692

MARKLE EVANGELINE RESIDENCE
Housing for students and professionals working, interning, and studying in New York City
123 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011
PHONE: 212-242-2400 / TOLL FREE: 877-317-6911
FAX: 212-229-2801
markle.residence@use.salvationarmy.org

AMERICAN HOMESTAY NETWORK
Homestay style accommodations for international students
Contact via website

EDUCATIONAL HOUSING SERVICES
Single, double and triple occupancy housing options for students and interns
Avenue (Upper East Side), St. George Towers (Brooklyn Heights) and the New Yorker (Midtown West)
PHONE: 1-800-297-4694

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
Residency program for graduate students and young professionals with a competitive application process and extensive alumni network
500 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027
PHONE: 212-316-8400

SARA’S HOMESTAY
Homestay, Residence/Dormitory and Private Apartment options available to international students
Contact via website

THE TOWERS AT THE CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK
Student accommodation with fully furnished rooms
401 West 130th Street
New York, NY 10027
PHONE: 917-507-0070
FAX: 917-507-0019
EMAIL: towers@ccny.cuny.edu

STUDENT HOUSING ASSOCIATES
Furnished efficiency units offered exclusively to students
Chelsea & Times Square
New York, NY
PHONE: 917-397-2273
EMAIL: info@studenthousingassociates.com

FOUND STUDY
Nationwide student/intern housing provider
NYC locations in Turtle Bay, Midtown East, Chelsea, Brooklyn Heights,
Columbia Heights Waterfront, and the Financial district
PHONE: 866-341-2818

WOMEN’S RESIDENCES: CENTRO MARIA
Non-profit providing housing services to female students and interns
539 West 54th Street
New York, NY 10019
PHONE: 212-757-6989
EMAIL: centromaria.ny.residence@gmail.com

SAINT JOSEPH’S IMMIGRANT HOME
Short term residence for woman who are working in New York City and/or attending school or internship programs
25 West 44th St
New York, NY 10036
EMAIL: admin@stnyrentals.com

SAINT AGNES
Women’s temporary home for young professionals and students
237 W 74th St
New York, NY 10023
EMAIL: admin@stnyrentals.com

WEBSTER APARTMENTS
Women’s residence in Brooklyn Heights with single and double rooms
229 Duffield Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Contact via website

Short-term Housing

AIRBNB
Short-term lodging including apartment rentals and homestays

YMCA
Guest rooms available in Harlem, the West Side, Flushing, Greenpoint
and Vanderbilt for up to 25 days.

HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL
Hostel providing lodging for up to 21 days per calendar year
891 Amsterdam Avenue (at 103rd Street)
New York, NY 10025
PHONE: 212-932-2300 / 212-932-2574
FAX: 212-662.6731
EMAIL: NewYork@hiusa.org

KOLPING HOUSE
Short-term residence for up to 3 months
165 East 88th Street
New York, NY 10128
PHONE: 212-369-6647

SUMMER HOUSING, NYU LAW SCHOOL – SUMMER LIVING PROGRAM
240 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012-1558
PHONE: 212-998-6510
FAX: 212-995-4033
EMAIL: law.slny@nyu.edu

Transcripts

Students may request an HB Studio Official Transcript from the registration office by purchasing one directly online and then emailing the request to the Registration Office with all of your current contact information, including your date of birth, current and/or previous legal name/s, and the addresses of all transcript recipients. An initial transcript fee of $25 is charged for the printing of two official transcripts to be sent anywhere in the United States. A digital PDF version is also sent to the student. After the two copies, if a student requires another transcript, a $10 fee will apply per transcript within the year of the initial purchase. Students are responsible for any international mailing costs outside of the United States. Transcripts take approximately one month to process.

Financial Aid

Applications for our Spring Term 2026 are now open, offering a variety of options to students seeking financial support, including both scholarships and work-study programs. Apply here!

Each semester, HB Studio offers work-study programs and extremely limited scholarship options to students seeking financial support.

Notifications of acceptance or denial of financial aid are generally made within one month of the application deadline. You are only permitted to submit one financial aid application for one class for each term. Please wait to receive notification whether or not you have received financial aid before enrolling in any class you are seeking aid for. We will not be able to reimburse you for any pre-paid tuition, as our policy prohibits you from using financial aid for any class you have already paid for.

As a prerequisite for any form of financial aid support for new students, actors are required to present an audition over Zoom. You must notify us at least 24 hours in advance of your audition if you are unable to attend. New playwriting students are required to submit a substantial sample of past work.

Failure to file appropriate paperwork, not attend the audition when scheduled, or to not submit writing samples in a timely fashion will disqualify the applicant from financial aid. Spring Term 2026 Financial Aid registration deadline is Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Apply Online

Work-Study

Work study support is awarded based on need, a statement of goals and intent, and instructors’ recommendations. All attendees at HB studio, both new enrollees and continuing students, are eligible to apply for Work-Study positions. Participants in our work-study program are granted one free course of their choosing at HB Studio when they enroll and pay for a second course during the same term. As a participant in this program, you will be asked to take on a few simple tasks on behalf of the studio, generally as a “key student” or studio assistant.

Select classes engage a “key student” who serves as a classroom monitor and teacher’s assistant. The key student is responsible for preparing the classroom, taking attendance, maintaining class contact lists, tracking auditors, assisting with emergency procedures, organizing the studio at the end of class, and any other basic tasks as the teacher may require.

HB also engages studio assistants who work set weekly hours over the entirety of the term. Studio assistant responsibilities are assigned based on student and supervisor availability, student need, and student skills. Examples of assigned tasks could include support with database updates, paper filing, library research and organization, archival scanning, hosting Zoom auditions, marketing support, on-site student check-in, production support, studio upkeep, and general cleaning. Maintaining these tasks in a timely and responsible fashion will be a prerequisite for staying in the work-study program. All students are required to fulfill their hours of work before the end of each term or else they will no longer be eligible for the program. Failure to comply with these guidelines may terminate your involvement.

Scholarships

HB Studio Scholarships are awarded based on need, a statement of goals and intent, and instructors’ recommendations. Due to limited supporting funds, we cannot offer full scholarship coverage for the entirety of any one class. Our average classroom scholarship is a $100 discount off the cost of one course. Please note that if you are awarded a scholarship, you are required to enroll in the class by the first day of the term. Failure to utilize your scholarship by this date may result in forfeiture of the financial support. HB scholarships are given with the expectation that awardees will lead their fellows in discipline, attendance, and preparation, and demonstrate a full commitment to their work in class.

Please Note: Scholarships for the Hagen Core Training or Hagen Summer Intensive programs are awarded through a separate process which is addressed during the application process for those programs.