Free theater is at the heart of HB Studio’s mission to provide access to the theater arts for all members of the community. HB Studio welcomes artists and audience from across New York City and beyond to join us in the creation, exploration, performance and celebration of new and reimagined works of theater.
In HB’s historic HB Playwrights Theatre and First Floor Studio performance space, artists explore seminal works, test collaborative relationships, and refine new work before an audience. Audiences experience new and classic works and engage in dialogue about their relevance. Performances are always free of charge.
To browse upcoming performances and readings, please visit our Productions & Readings Calendar.
READINGS
Playwrights Reading Series
Each year, HB Studio produces a week-long staged reading series in the HB Playwrights Theatre. Playwrights across NYC and beyond are invited to submit new, full-length plays through an open submission process. Six plays are selected by the HB Artistic Council to receive one evening each for a staged reading followed by a talk-back with the audience. Readings allow playwrights to connect with actors and directors and test work before an audience. Attendees provide feedback and experience new works in process.
Evening-length Readings – New & Classic Plays
Curated by HB’s Executive & Artistic Director, HB Studio produces staged readings throughout the year of new and classic plays. Plays are directed and performed by artists working, studying and teaching at the Studio and by HB’s vast alumni network. Readings take place in the HB Playwrights Theatre, and are always free and open to the public.
PERFORMANCES
Performance Labs
HB Performance Labs provide semi-annual opportunities for actors well advanced in their technique to participate in the development and performance of Studio works-in-progress — both new plays as well as classic texts — guided by HB faculty or guest artists. Performance Labs are curated by HB’s Executive & Artistic Director in consultation with faculty and guest artists. Performance Labs are supported where possible by special funding; recent labs have been supported for specific themes or by purposes by The Noël Coward Foundation and The Frederick Loewe Foundation.
Full Productions
Each year, HB Studio produces one or two fully produced plays for a complete run in the HB Playwrights Theatre. Often evolving from a performance lab or residency, or a play by one of the Studio’s playwrights, productions are curated by HB’s Executive & Artistic Director. Plays are chosen based on their outstanding quality, relevance and timeliness, originality, and representation of HB’s artistic values — in performance, approach, design, conception. We put an emphasis on new works, classic works that are not often seen, or groundbreaking approaches to known/existing works.
To browse upcoming performances and readings, please visit our Performances & Readings Calendar.
To receive information about future performances and readings, join our mailing list.
These programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and many generous supporters.