On July 25, HB Residency Artist Paola Alexandra Soto presents her project Lucha Libre, a story about a young Dominican woman dreaming of becoming a luchadora.
Yaneliz, a young woman growing up in the Dominican Republic, dreams of becoming the first luchadora (female wrestler) in a family of luchadores (male wrestlers). When she gets her first period, she finds that one cannot be both a wrestler and a woman. Her brother, Rigoberto, is supposed to continue the family legacy, but when he’s unable to win a single match, their father, Arnoldo, gives Yaneliz an ultimatum. Now, she must decide what she is willing to give up to make her dream come true.
About the Artist:
Paola Alexandra Soto (she/her) is an award-winning playwright, director, and actor. She is the co-founder of the Obie Award-winning Dominican Artists Collective (DAC). The 2023-2024 Artist in Residence at Oye Group. Playwriting Credits include D’Carnaval (Vision Residency, Ars Nova), La Sosa Sisters (Columbia@Roundabout 2021 New Play Reading series finalist), Lucha Libre (Shanghai Theatre Academy), and On The 1 Train (Jacob Weiser Playwriting Award). She is the Creative Producer for Lemon Andersen’s When Aliens Fall From the Sky and the 66th Obie Awards ceremony. Training: MFA, Columbia University; BA, City College of New York (CUNY). She’s thrilled to be working on this reading of Lucha Libre with this talented group of collaborators.
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.
Late Registration for Summer Classes
Summer Term has begun, but spots remain open in select Summer Term 2025 classes and workshops – register now before they close!
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.
