If you’ve ever left home at 6 a.m. with three pairs of shoes, a makeup kit, a song binder, and your survival job uniform (only to return in the wee hours of the morning), you know the struggle of a busy New York actor. Where do locals hang between auditions, shows, and classes? Here are seven tried-and-true destinations where NYC performers go to learn, play, and decompress. See you at Blockheads!
The Drama Book Shop (40th St. between 7th and 8th Aves)
Don’t let its modest size fool you; this NYC bookstore houses thousands of scripts, copious sheet music, endless books on the craft, and other important industry publications. Plus, the Backstage Readers’ Choice winner provides comfy chairs for perusing plays in between auditions! There’s no doubt that the shop is important to actors; after a pipe burst last month and store owners were struggling to recover, performers—inspired by a series of tweets from “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda—turned out in droves to make record purchases and save the business.
The Actors Equity Audition Center (165 W 46th St.)
New York City auditioners cheered when AEA unveiled the newly renovated audition center last year. While required open calls still happen on the pre-existing 16th floor of this Times Square building, the new lobby-level cafe and lounge (and bathrooms!) make long days of EPAs a little bit less daunting. Take advantage of the building’s outlets and free wifi to get some work done while you wait to perform, and check out inspiring views of Broadway when you line up to audition.
The Lincoln Center Library (40 Lincoln Center Plaza)
A crucial part of Lincoln Center, the New York Library for the Performing Arts on Manhattan’s Upper West Side is a must-visit for every local actor. In addition to using the library to discover thousands of musical scores from the world’s best composers, actors can screen archived video recordings of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional productions. When you’re done perusing the library’s seemingly endless collections, head outside and enjoy all that the world-class performing arts center has to offer.
The SAG-AFTRA New York Actors Center (1900 Broadway)
Planted directly across from Lincoln Center, this brand new, state-of-the-art home for NYC’s SAG-AFTRA local chapter houses many resources for film and television actors. Members can take advantage of free workshops, educational seminars, and other events at the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Studio, and the EIF Voiceover Lab and Actors Center Computer Lab are incredible (free) resources for card-carrying performers.
Ripley-Grier Studios (520 8th Ave, 16th Floor)
Conveniently located near Penn Station and the Port Authority (along with all those Broadway theaters), this main outpost of Ripley-Grier Studios is a natural hangout for actors at every stage of their careers. Part Readers’ Choice-winning rehearsal studio, part audition space, part Midtown safe haven, the ultra-bustling studio is a great place for performers to hang out. Do you have an upcoming audition or a class at Ripley? Get there early and grab a coffee in the clean and well-run 16th floor cafe, and enjoy free wifi, convenient seating areas, and plenty of actor-on-actor conversation.
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (Chelsea and East Village locations)
Need a laugh? A frequent Backstage Readers’ Choice winner for favorite improv training center, New York’s two UCB theaters (the original in Chelsea and a newer venue in the East Village) house nightly sketch and improv shows in addition to some of the city’s best comedy courses. The theaters make actors feel at home not only because they’re the stomping grounds of countless film and television stars (ever heard of Amy Poehler?), but also for the comprehensive training and nightly (free or very cheap) events on offer.
Worldwide Plaza (50th St. between 8th and 9th Aves)
This centrally located outdoor courtyard is one of the best spots for people watching in the theater district. Packed with actors come rain or shine (and especially on a sunny day), the plaza is tucked away behind New World Stages—currently home to “Avenue Q” and other hits—and features plenty of tables and chairs in addition to patio seating for local restaurants Blockheads and Mother Burger. Grab a coffee from the nearby Starbucks and read a play by the fountain, or work off the EPA blues over some of NYC’s strongest (and cheapest!) frozen margaritas.
Inspired by this post? Check out our New York City audition listings!