HB Studio

HB Studio was founded by Herbert Berghof and Uta Hagen in 1945 and has been an enduring cornerstone of New York City acting training for nearly eight decades, making it one of the oldest continuously operating acting studios in the United States. Uta Hagen, one of the most influential acting teachers of the 20th century and author of the seminal texts 'Respect for Acting' and 'A Challenge for the Actor,' developed a teaching approach at HB Studio that emphasizes truthful, textually grounded performance rooted in specific, concrete human behavior. The studio's Greenwich Village location has become a landmark in the New York theatre community, with its brick building serving as a creative home for generations of actors, directors, playwrights, and other theatre artists. HB Studio's commitment to accessibility has been a defining principle since its founding — Berghof and Hagen believed that great training should be available to anyone with talent and dedication, not just those with financial resources. The studio's extraordinary alumni list, which includes Al Pacino, Whoopi Goldberg, Matthew Broderick, Robert De Niro, and countless other working actors, speaks to the quality and impact of the training.

Today HB Studio offers one of the widest ranges of individual classes available at any NYC acting studio, covering acting, scene study at multiple levels, voice and speech, movement, singing, playwriting, directing, and specialized workshops in areas like Shakespeare, comedy, and on-camera technique. The a la carte class structure is a distinctive feature that allows students to tailor their training precisely to their individual needs, interests, and schedules rather than following a prescribed conservatory curriculum. This flexibility makes HB Studio accessible to actors at every career stage and with every type of schedule — from full-time students who can take multiple classes per week to working professionals who can attend a single evening class. The studio's faculty includes experienced teachers who carry forward the principles established by Hagen and Berghof while bringing their own perspectives and specialties to the curriculum. HB Studio has maintained its commitment to accessible pricing throughout its history, keeping its mission of democratic arts education alive in an increasingly expensive city.

Enrolling at HB Studio is refreshingly straightforward — most classes are open enrollment, meaning actors can register for individual classes without formal audition requirements, portfolio reviews, or application processes that characterize many other NYC training institutions. Students simply choose the classes that interest them, register through the studio's website or in person, and begin training. Some advanced-level classes may have prerequisite requirements or instructor approval to ensure students are appropriately prepared for the level of work. The studio operates on a term-based schedule with classes running throughout the year, allowing actors to join at various points and build their training progressively over time. New students are encouraged to begin with classes that match their current experience level and to work with the studio's advising staff to develop a personalized training plan.

The experience of training at HB Studio is shaped by the institution's deep sense of history and artistic purpose, combined with a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere that reflects its Greenwich Village roots. Classes are taught in the studio's historic building, where students work in spaces that have hosted some of the most important acting teachers and students in American theatre history. The teaching approach is text-grounded and specific, emphasizing the actor's responsibility to the playwright's words and the pursuit of truthful human behavior in imaginary circumstances. Class sessions typically involve warm-up work, scene or monologue presentations, detailed feedback from the instructor, and ensemble discussion. The studio community is one of its greatest assets — students describe HB Studio as a creative home where they feel supported in taking artistic risks while being held to high standards of craft and professionalism.

HB Studio attracts an extraordinarily diverse student body, reflecting its mission of accessible, democratic arts education. Students range from teenagers taking their first acting class to working professionals in their sixties and seventies who have been training at the studio for decades. The mix includes aspiring actors without previous training, university students supplementing their academic programs, working professionals from other fields exploring acting as a creative outlet or career change, and established actors maintaining and deepening their craft. The studio's affordability and open enrollment policies make it one of the few high-caliber training options in NYC that is genuinely accessible to actors from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Casting directors and industry professionals recognize HB Studio's legacy and the quality of training it provides, though the studio's emphasis is on artistic development rather than industry networking.

Individual classes at HB Studio range from approximately $200 to $500 per term, making the studio one of the most affordable training options at this caliber in New York City — a pricing structure that is remarkably low given the quality of instruction and the institution's extraordinary legacy. Scholarships and work-study opportunities are available for students who need financial assistance, further extending the studio's accessibility mission. The a la carte structure means actors can invest in exactly the training they need without paying for bundled programs that include classes they do not want. Students who take multiple classes per term can build a comprehensive training experience at a fraction of what a full conservatory program would cost. Compared to conservatories that charge $20,000 to $50,000 for multi-year programs, HB Studio allows actors to receive decades of ongoing training for a total investment that may be equivalent to or less than a single year of conservatory tuition.

HB Studio is a remarkable choice for NYC actors who want to study at a studio with an extraordinary artistic legacy while maintaining the flexibility to train at their own pace and budget. The studio is particularly well-suited for actors who want to take specific classes to address particular skill gaps, working professionals who need flexible scheduling, actors who cannot afford full conservatory tuition, and performers who want to maintain ongoing training throughout their career without the pressure of a time-limited program. If you are seeking the structured intensity of a full-time conservatory or the prestige signaling of a highly selective program, studios like Esper, Strasberg, or Atlantic may better serve those needs. HB Studio works best for actors who are self-directed in their training and view skill development as a lifelong, ongoing process.

Start by taking one or two classes in areas where you feel you need the most development, and use that experience to map out a longer-term training plan at the studio. Study Uta Hagen's books — 'Respect for Acting' and 'A Challenge for the Actor' — to understand the philosophical foundation that informs the studio's teaching approach. Take advantage of the a la carte structure to build a comprehensive training experience over time, combining acting classes with voice, movement, and specialty workshops. Attend student performances and studio events to connect with the community and find scene partners for outside rehearsal. Remember that HB Studio's greatest value lies in its affordability and flexibility for long-term training — rather than trying to cram a conservatory experience into a few terms, plan to return to the studio regularly throughout your career to keep your skills sharp and your artistic perspective fresh.