The Best Budget Rehearsal Spots For Actors In NYC

Shetler Studios sits right in the heart of Manhattan’s Theatre District and contains a multitude of studio spaces ‘that support projects from audition to rehearsal to performance.’ You can book a space to rehearse seven days a week. Their rates start at just $10 an hour and apply 9AM-12PM and 9PM to 11PM.

Dixon Place is a non-profit organization that provides a space for ‘literary and performing artists to create and develop new works…’ Starting at just $10 an hour for rehearsal space, this downtown location is perfect for anyone wanting to grab a delicious bite to eat after rehearsal, as it’s right next to Little Italy.

Ranging from just $15 to $27 an hour, 36th Street Studios is a great facility that not only provides a professional environment, but has Wi-Fi and Internet workstations as well. Scheduling a last minute rehearsal? 36th Street Studios now offers 50% off on walk-in rentals Monday – Friday, until 4pm.

Love the Lower East Side? Then Wow Café is the perfect place for you to rehearse. Space rental starts at just $15 an hour. Wow Café Theatre is a member of The Fourth Arts Block: ‘the only cultural district in Manhattan’. They are also a part of the Compass for Change: ‘The NYC Online Activist Portal’. When you rent rehearsal space from Wow Café Theatre, you will be supporting their various women’s empowerment programs and performances.

HERE Arts Center is all about nurturing ‘career artists as they create innovative… live performance in theatre, dance, music, puppetry, media and visual art.’ HERE Arts Center offers residency for artists as well as hourly rehearsal space. There are two spaces available for hourly rental at HERE Arts Center: The Main Stage Theatre and the Dorothy B. Williams Theatre, which is only $15 an hour.

A.R.T./New York is home to numerous Resident Artist Theatres and Artistic Companies in NYC. The 520 building is easily accessible as it’s only a few minutes walking distance from New York Penn Station. There are five versatile rehearsal studios at the Space ranging from $16 an hour to $26 an hour. The largest rehearsal space, The Bruce Mitchell Room, is a multi-purpose space and is large enough to host rehearsals, board meetings and small events such as a staged reading.

The 520 Building is home to Ripley-Grier Studios as well. Starting at just $19 an hour, Ripley-Grier is complete with voice-over studios, a café and a shop. There are multiple floors and studio spaces available and each range in size and price. Almost all studios include a piano as well. There’s always something happening at Ripley-Grier, whether it’s dance classes, a workshop or students getting together to rehearse.

Founded in 1993 by Frank and Eliza Ventura, CAP 21 strives to ‘create a home where theatre artists can bring their work to life…’ Studio space rental ranges from $20 an hour to $35 an hour depending on which studio you choose. CAP 21 is more than just a studio space, however. CAP 21 is a professional theatre company with a conservatory whose goal is to ‘create programs that achieve substantial and lasting contributions to the future of the arts.’

Theatrelab is open 9AM – 11PM daily and houses three white-box spaces. Theatrelab is not only great for rehearsals, but their spaces can be used for workshops, performances, visual art exhibitions, photo shoots and more. There’s a gallery, a studio and a theatre with a complete lighting and sound set up. Prices for all three spaces vary, but for rehearsal you’ll only spend between $20 and $35 an hour.

Located in Greenwich Village, The Player’s Theatre is home to a main-stage Off-Broadway theatre, an Off-Off Broadway Black-Box theatre, four rehearsal spaces, an office suite and Cafe Wha?. The four rehearsal spaces are available Monday – Friday, and, if you’re in before 4pm, they could only run you $10 – $15. After 4pm, however, the price varies between $25 and $35 an hour with piano options. Times and prices listed are subject to change, so please make sure to call each space ahead of time when thinking about making a reservation.