We invite you to hone your skills of instruction and theaterwork this summer (Aug. 10-15) 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

Applications are Now Closed. Interested in observing? See “Audits” below.

Faculty

Program Director & Scene Study: Mark Nelson
Program Founder & Acting Technique: Carol Rosenfeld
Voice Warm Up: Theresa McElwee

Held annually at HB Studio since 2014

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.

“…An organic transference of oneself to the role, the development of a new “I” who is alive in the world of the play, involves a creative process which is not a willy-nilly, loose way of working that depends solely on intuitive or elusive inspiration. On the contrary, it is a process which, however slow and painstaking, can be structured in an orderly way over which the actor has control, although no part of it is mechanical… It is a true challenge of one’s diligence and one’s talent. This process is to me like the drafting of a musical score in which the actor composes the character’s theme, orchestrates it, defines the phrases, individual beats, and the arrangement of the notes he will eventually play with spontaneity at each performance, putting to use his finely honed inner and outer techniques.” – Uta Hagen, A Challenge for the Actor © 1991, by Uta Hagen, All Rights Reserved.

Tuition: $850.00

Required Texts: Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen and Acting and Living in Discovery by Carol Rosenfeld

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.

Request Audit

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 offers a variety of options for part-time or full-time study in our various performing arts programs. We provide classes, workshops and programs for actors, directors and playwrights at all stages of experience — from weekly classes, to short-term workshops, to full-time immersive training. We also offer performing arts programs for International Study, professional development for educators, and acting classes for Young People. Learn more about all the possibilities below:

PART TIME

Weekly Classes

Professional studio classes for actors, playwrights and directors. Offered in 10-week terms year-round, with some 5-week options available. Take one class at a time, or build your own full-time program. Current Weekly Classes are posted on our Classes page and Calendar.

These ongoing classes are available in Acting, Speech & Voice, Movement & The Body, Musical Theater & Singing, Directing and Playwriting, and are offered at 3 levels of training which lead to the Studio Practice level (Level 4). Level 1 classes are open to all without prerequisite. New acting students must audition to work at Level 2 or higher. Working professionals may submit a professional reel via online submission in lieu of the intake audition. New playwrights submit a full-length script for upper level courses. Placement for continuing students is by faculty recommendation. To learn more and schedule an audition, visit Auditions and Prerequisites.

We invite and encourage you to audit classes before making the commitment to register. Learn more at Audit a Class.

Workshops

Short-term skill-building workshops throughout the year, each with a special focus. Learn an accent, voice over skills, audition technique, self-production, and so much more. Advanced workshops generally require an online submission or level placement, while many workshops are open to all with no prerequisite. Browse current offerings on our Workshops page. Check back often, as our our large range of offerings rotates regularly.

FULL TIME

The Hagen Core Training

HB Studio’s Acting Conservatory at The Uta Hagen Institute. Year long (three-term) full-time training for actors, for those seeking immersion in the acting process. An integrative course of study addressing all aspects of the actor’s craft, including acting technique, voice, movement, text analysis, and more. Eligible for college credit transfer through the NCCRS. Open to International Students. An application and audition is required. Learn more and apply at The Hagen Core Training.

The Hagen Summer Intensive

Six week, full-time, rigorous summer training for actors at The Uta Hagen Institute at HB Studio. Probe and explore the practical applications of Uta Hagen’s technique as discussed in her book A CHALLENGE FOR THE ACTOR. Classes include acting technique, movement, voice and more. Open to International Students. An application and audition is required. Learn more and apply at The Hagen Summer Intensive.

Design Your Own Studio Class Program

For those seeking a more flexible option for full-time training, HB Studio welcomes you to design your own program by putting together a selection of Weekly Classes. With a progression of courses offered in each department — Acting, Speech & Voice, Movement & The Body, Musical Theater & Singing, Directing and Playwriting — you are able to create a well-rounded course of study that fits your goals, level of experience, schedule and budget. Browse classes on the Classes page or Calendar.

International Students who choose to design their own full-time program (known as the International Studio Class Program) are required to enroll in a minimum of seven classes per week, with mandatory classes in certain departments. An application and audition are required. Visit the International Students page for details or email international@hbstudio.org.

All others who would like to be advised in devising a custom full-time Studio Class Program, please contact the Registration team at registration@hbstudio.org.

INTERNATIONAL STUDY

International F-1 visa students are welcome to participate at HB Studio in any of the three above Full Time programs:

• The Hagen Core Training
• The Hagen Summer Intensive
• International Studio Class Program

Separate applications and auditions apply for each program. Learn more at Program Options for International Students.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS

The Hagen Teacher’s Labs

Hagen Teacher’s Lab 1 and Hagen Teacher’s Lab 2 at The Uta Hagen Institute at HB Studio are intensive, six-day professional development workshops for artists and educators who wish to explore and expand their understanding and experience of Uta Hagen’s approach to acting and teaching. Designed to fit neatly into breaks in the academic calendar, and lead by senior faculty who trained with Uta Hagen herself…learn more.

ACTING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

HB Studio offers Acting classes for Young People ages 9 – 17 at all stages of experience, from children and teens just starting out, to dedicated young actors seeking preparation for a high school of performing arts, college program or conservatory. Learn more at Young People.