New York City has long been a place where actors, writers, directors, and artists come to study storytelling, performance, and creative collaboration.
For many artists, choosing an acting school is not simply about finding classes. It is about finding an environment that supports:
- artistic growth
- creative freedom
- collaboration
- imagination
- truthful storytelling
- long-term development
At The Barrow Group, we believe acting training should help artists become more present, responsive, imaginative, and connected — both onstage and off.
A Different Approach to Acting Training
Many New York acting schools focus heavily on competition, performance results, or mastering a single technique.
At The Barrow Group, we approach training as an ongoing creative practice rooted in:
- spontaneity
- relaxation
- collaboration
- storytelling
- human behavior
- ensemble connection
Our classes are designed to:
- encourage spontaneity
- foster truthful and compelling human behavior
- help actors become more sensitive, imaginative, responsive, and alive
- support effortless and invisible adjustment
- bring greater freedom to the work.
As we often say:
the best technique is invisible.
Rather than encouraging actors to force emotions or imitate performances, we help artists become more present, connected, and responsive moment to moment.
Acting Classes & Training Programs in NYC
New York acting schools often offer a wide range of training opportunities for actors at different stages of development.
At The Barrow Group, programs include:
- beginner acting classes
- professional scene study
- on-camera acting
- improvisation
- voice and speech
- monologue work
- directing
- playwriting and screenwriting
- filmmaking and content creation
- audition technique
- movement and physical awareness.
Students can participate through:
- weekly classes
- workshops
- summer intensives
- one-year training programs
- youth and teen programs
- professional acting programs.
Training Rooted in Collaboration & Ensemble
Acting is collaborative by nature.
At The Barrow Group, we strive to create an artistic environment that feels:
- rigorous
- welcoming
- accessible
- supportive
- ensemble-driven
- creatively energizing.
Students are encouraged to:
- experiment
- make mistakes
- trust their imagination
- respond authentically
- explore freely without fear of judgment
We believe meaningful artistic growth happens when actors feel supported enough to take creative risks.
Acting Classes for Beginners & Professionals
Some students arrive with years of professional experience. Others are stepping into an acting class for the first time.
Beginning actors often focus on:
- relaxation
- imagination
- script analysis
- monologues
- scene study
- overcoming self-consciousness
Professional actors continue refining:
- spontaneity
- audition technique
- rehearsal process
- self-adjustment
- truthful moment-to-moment behavior
- on-camera work.
At The Barrow Group, acting training is viewed as an ongoing process of exploration and creative growth rather than a fixed destination.
More Than an Acting School
The Barrow Group began as an Off-Broadway theater company, and our training remains deeply connected to storytelling, artistic process, and community.
Our philosophy emphasizes:
- humanity
- spontaneity
- collaboration
- accessibility
- truthful storytelling
- creative freedom
- kindness and rigor together.
We believe artists often become more compelling when they stop trying to “perform” and instead become fully engaged in truthful human behavior under imaginary circumstances.
Study at The Barrow Group
The Barrow Group is an award-winning NYC theater company and acting school offering acting classes, workshops, youth programs, scene study, on-camera acting, voice and speech, improvisation, directing, writing, and professional actor training in New York City.
Our programs are designed to help artists develop greater spontaneity, authenticity, collaboration, and freedom in performance.
Explore acting classes, workshops, intensives, and professional training programs at The Barrow Group.