Auditing a class at HB Studio, whether virtually online or in-person at 120 Bank Street, is a great opportunity to understand what the HB experience is all about. Auditors will get to see our top level faculty work one-on-one with students. While generally non-participatory, these accessibly-priced sample classes provide valuable insight into the unique instruction techniques and classroom environments that make HB Studio special.
Once you browse our calendar of in-person and online classes, we encourage you to audit as many classes as necessary over the first three weeks of our semester to better decide which class (or classes!) you want to join for the semester.
Audits are only $20 and are non-refundable and non-transferable. You’ll need to confirm your attendance by submitting this form at least three days in advance of your chosen date.
For in-person audits, we will send you a confirmation email to show at the door when you show up for your class. For online audits, you will receive instructions and a Zoom link from our registration staff after you submit this form.
How to Sign Up
Explore our catalog of in-person and online classes to find the subject, instructor and date that works for you!
Fill out this Audit a Class form at least 3 days in advance of your chosen date to let us know when you’ll be joining us.
Attend your chosen class … then decide if you’re ready to join us for the upcoming semester!
Payment Policy for Audits
Payments for audits must be made in-full three days prior to your chosen audit date. Payments are made online within the HB Studio Audit a Class form.
Full-Class Attendance
You are expected to attend the entire class session when auditing. Leaving early or arriving late can be disruptive to both the instructor and fellow students. If you know you need to leave early, please let us know so we can relay the message to the instructor and their assistant in the class. You will be in the class as an observer, not a participant.
Single Class Audit
You may audit a specific class only once per term. However, you may audit different classes within the same term.
Punctuality
Please arrive on time. Late arrivals can be disruptive and you may not be allowed entry once the class has started. Please arrive 15 minutes before the beginning of the class you wish to audit.
Non-Refundable Audits
Audit fees are non-refundable. The purpose of auditing is for you to evaluate whether you wish to enroll with a particular instructor.
Online Audits
When auditing an online class, you must keep your camera off and your mic muted (unless the teacher invites you to introduce yourself). Before your online audit, please review our Zoom User Guide for Auditors.
Key Students, Studio Assistants, F-1 Students
Contact venuestaff@hbstudio.org for further information.
Restrictions
Audits are not available for individuals under 18, except for designated Young People classes.
Please email us at audit@hbstudio.org for any additional questions or information.
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.
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.
—Hagen Core Student
Spring Term B Classes Begin April 28
Spring Term B is less than a week away, but it’s not too late to register or audit Spring Term B classes and workshops
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:
Spring Part A: March 24 – April 27
Spring Part B: April 28 – June 2
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 10% OFF Spring Term Weekly Classes with code SPRING25W, valid through March 5, 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 20% OFF Spring Term Weekly Classes through March 5 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.
