“There are actors all over the world (who) regardless of their circumstances , professional or personal, regardless of whatever difficulties they are facing, whatever problems or changes– there is one thing they can rely on & that is that 11 o’clock on Tuesday and Friday mornings come rain, shine, snow, or what have you there is a session in the Actors Studio. And the fact that actors can count on that, that they know that that exists, can help them get through.”– Lee Strasberg
The Actors Studio is a non-profit organization for professional actors, directors, and playwrights founded in 1947 in New York City by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford, and Robert Lewis. The Actors Studio was formed to provide a place where professional actors could work together between jobs or during long runs to continue to develop their craft and to experiment with new forms in creative theatre work. Many known and renowned actors have benefited from their membership with the Actors Studio.
Membership is a commitment that affords a place for its members to work on their craft and techniques in private and in concert with master moderators and close colleagues. This commitment is free to our membership.
The Actors Studio in New York serves as the administrative headquarters for both the New York Actors Studio and its only branch located in West Hollywood, California.
The Actors Studio, which is not a school but an active studio for its members, has also created a completely separate, unique, fully accredited, degree granting 3 year Masters of Fine Arts Program located at Pace University in New York City.
The Rome Film Festival from 2006 through 2008 honored The Actors Studio with a 3 year retrospective of 60 years of iconic films closely associated with our work. In 2006 this international Festival showed 20 films from 1947 through 1959 while honoring Ellen Burstyn, Lee Grant, Martin Landau and Robert Wankel. In 2007, films from 1960 through 1975 were shown that focused on Studio work while honoring Jane Fonda, Shirley Knight and Cloris Leachman for their contributions. In 2008, films chosen covered the years from 1975 to present day with a special focus on Al Pacino, our Co-President. Mr. Pacino was awarded their highest honor of the Marc Aurelio Award.
Our season usually runs from September through mid-summer. We are closed during summer months. Ongoing work occurs in our Acting Sessions, Playwrights/Directors Unit and Playwrights/Directors Workshop. Work is constantly being developed and when it is deemed ready for public viewing, audiences are invited in for free.
The Actors Studio is not open to the public for tours.
Donations are always welcome and are tax deductible. To make a contribution, please contact our office or our Executive Director, Deborah Dixon, at any time.
LEADERSHIP
Ellen Burstyn, Harvey Keitel, & Al Pacino serve as co-Presidents.
Mark Rydell and Martin Landau serve as co-Artistic Directors in West Hollywood.
Governance is by a bi-coastal Board of Directors comprised of members
