About The Barrow Group

Barrow Group's actors during play
Barrow Group's actresses during play
Martin Mora acting
Barrow Group's actors during play

MISSION

The Barrow Group’s (TBG) mission is to combine spontaneous acting with well-crafted stories that address social, spiritual, and political issues, enriching our community with a greater understanding of ourselves, others, and the world around us.

PROGRAMMING

TBG is an award-winning theatre company and training center located in the heart of New York City. Founded in 1986, TBG’s artistic programs consist of producing an annual Mainstage Season, a Developmental program that cultivates original stories and the artists who tell them, and a Training Center that supports thousands of artists from a wide range of backgrounds, identities, and experience levels a year. We strive to offer the most accessible programs possible, keeping our prices low and offering a robust diversity scholarship program for underserved artists. 

TBG has developed and produced several critically acclaimed and award-winning productions, including Martin Moran's THE TRICKY PART (2004 Obie Award, 2019 remount), Jon Marans' THE TEMPERAMENTALS (2009 Drama Desk Award), Mike Birbiglia's MY GIRLFRIEND'S BOYFRIEND (2011 Lucille Lortel Award) and Martin Moran’s ALL THE RAGE (2013 Lucille Lortel Award). Notable alumni of TBG’s training program include Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway, three-time Emmy winner Jennifer Landon, and Emmy winner Tony Hale. In 2005, TBG won a Drama Desk Award for Off-off-Broadway Excellence. 

VALUES

  • We value offering programs that are inclusive, that reflect the diversity of New York City and the world, and that have meaningful impact on our community.
  • We value spontaneous and lively performance onstage, because we believe it generates a vital artist-audience connection that gives audiences an unforgettable experience.
  • We value well-told stories, because they have the capability to enlighten, inspire, foster community, and energize people to do great things.
  • We value the training and self-empowerment of future arts professionals.
  • We value achieving the highest professional quality in a supportive working environment, and expect excellence from the artists, staff and volunteers with whom we work.
  • We value, as a not-for-profit institution, reliably stewarding public trust and the resources provided to us by our community.

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN ENRICHING THOUSANDS OF
ARTISTS' LIVES BY DONATING TO THE BARROW GROUP TODAY.

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Production
Program
  • Fully-staged professional theatre productions for the general public in TBG’s 99-seat theatre
  • Post-show talkback series
  • Serves approximately 6,000 patrons  per year
Developmental
Program
  • F.A.B. (”For, About, and By”) Women
  • Fast Play Fests
  • Artist Performance Residencies
  • First Fridays @ TBG
  • Serves approximately 2,000 patrons and over 150 artists per year
Training
Program
  • Adult and youth classes in acting, directing, playwriting, and filmmaking
  • Student Showcases
  • ESL acting workshop
  • Residency with Quinnipiac University
  • Diversity Scholarship Program
  • Serves approximately 4,000 students and employs over 20 teachers per year
Education
Program
  • in-school residencies and after school classes to NYC students, K-12
  • TBG has worked closely with The Bailey House, St. Mary’s, The Harlem United Community Aids Center, and The Children’s Hope Foundation to provide workshops in theatre, improvisation and filmmaking
TBGfilm
Program
  • TBGfilm gives our community of artists an online platform to share their work
  • TBG staff curate the content and share it via tbgfilm.org with our ever-growing community of over 30,000 students, artists, and patrons.
Background
  • TBG is a non-profit organization founded in 1986
  • TBG operates a 9,000 square foot arts center in midtown Manhattan, comprised of a 99-seat theatre, a 40-seat theatre, and four studios
  • TBG has developed and/or produced over 150 shows since 1986, including: Martin Moran's The Tricky Part (Obie Award & two Drama Desk nominations), Jon Marans' The Temperamentals (Drama Desk Award), Mike Birbiglia's My Girlfriend's Boyfriend(Lucille Lortel Award), and Martin Moran’s All the Rage (Lucille Lortel Award)
  • TBG alumni and past company members include Anne Hathaway (Academy Award), Denis O’Hare (Tony Award), and Tony Hale (Emmy Award)
  • TBG has grown to a $2.5M organization with zero debt and a six-month operating reserve
About

The Barrow Group was founded in 1986 by an ensemble of actors and directors, all of whom shared a desire to produce meaningful plays using a highly naturalistic, intimate mode of performance.  Since that time, TBG has developed and/or produced over 150 shows, including Martin Moran’s The Tricky Part (2004 Obie Award and two Drama Desk nominations), Jon Marans’ The Temperamentals (2009 Drama Desk Award), Mike Birbiglia’s My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend (2011 Lucille Lortel Award), David Edgar’s Pentecost (2013 Drama Desk nomination), and Martin Moran’s All the Rage (2013 Lucille Lortel Award). In 2005, TBG received a Drama Desk Award for Off-off-Broadway Excellence.

TBG’s core programming consists of 1) its annual Mainstage Season, 2) the Developmental Wing (where new works are introduced to the organization and then nurtured via readings and short workshops), and 3) Performing Arts Classes for professionals and beginners (acting, directing, and playwriting).

TBG’s Mainstage Season is produced in its 99-seat theatre, with an emphasis on work that engages artists and audiences alike through a realistic performance style.

TBG’s Developmental Wing is part of its ongoing support of new works.  This programming is free for artists to participate in and includes: FAB Women; Artist Performance Residencies; First Fridays; and in-house readings.

  • F.A.B. (For, About, and By) Women, created in 2009, is devoted to the work of women theatre artists. With over one hundred participants, F.A.B. Women has flourished, and for this upcoming summer, the program will for the first time be presenting a festival of new work in TBG’s Mainstage.
  • In the Artist Performance Residency program, theater artists may apply to use the 40-seat Studio Theatre to rehearse and to publicly present their own created work.  TBG staff review and rank those applications on an on-going basis to determine which artists should be awarded a residency.  This free-of-charge program gives artists the chance to refine their work while providing audience members a window into the process of developing original theatrical work at an early point in one’s career.
  • First Fridays is a monthly community-building program.  On the first Friday of each month, playwrights and actors read sections of new works in the 40-seat Studio Theatre.  Participants are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis – actors and playwrights are paired on the spot, and the readings are free-of-charge for audiences.
  • Finally, TBG hosts dozens of in-house readings year-round to help both emerging and experienced writers bring their visions to life, offering them the opportunity to see their words brought to the stage and allowing them to refine their work with constructive, nurturing feedback from Seth and Lee.  TBG has helped develop the work of hundreds of artists in this way, including Mike Birbiglia (Sleepwalk with Me), Stephanie Zadrovich (Honey Brown Eyes), and Martin Moran (The Tricky Part).

TBG’s training programming reaches over 4,000 students each year.  Acting teachers who work with TBG have all participated in a one-year teacher training program, to ensure a high-quality, consistent experience for students.  Our youth program serves students 5 to 17 years-old with classes in scene study, improv, musical theatre, playwriting, and on-camera acting.  Our adult program serves both beginners and professionals with classes in movement, voice, stage combat, script analysis, solo show development, on-camera acting, filmmaking, scene study, monologue, and clowning.  Time Out NY, Backstage, and CBS-NY have named TBG one of the top places to study in New York.  Several of our alumni have gone on to contribute significantly to the field.   

Vision

The Barrow Group will be recognized and appreciated as the premier production and training destination for acting and storytelling in a facility that supports and sustains our mission, sparks the passion of our community, and reflects the excellence of our programs.

Values

  • We value offering programs that are inclusive, that reflect the diversity of New York City and the world, and that have meaningful impact on our community.
  • We value spontaneous and lively performance onstage, because we believe it generates a vital artist-audience connection that gives audiences an unforgettable experience.
  • We value well-told stories, because they have the capability to enlighten, inspire, foster community, and energize people to do great things.
  • We value the training and self-empowerment of future arts professionals.
  • We value achieving the highest professional quality in a supportive working environment, and expect excellence from the artists, staff and volunteers with whom we work.
  • We value, as a not-for-profit institution, reliably stewarding public trust and the resources provided to us by our community.

Programming

Theatre Company

Founded in 1986, we have touched the lives of thousands of New York City theatre-goers. Our simple and spontaneous approach has earned us a Drama Desk Award as well as a Lucille Lortel Award, and several Drama Desk nominations. Learn more...

Training

We began offering acting classes in 1990 after dozens of professional actors sought us out because they were inspired by our work. We have since grown into a world-class performing arts studio that serves thousands of artists, offering acting, directing, film, and playwriting classes to beginners, professionals, and teens and tweens. Learn more...

Publications

Theatre Communication Group (TCG) published Seth Barrish's (Barrow Group co-Artistic Director) An Actor's Companion: Tools for the Working Actor in 2015.  This publication articulates our approach – simplicity, spontaneity, and clarity.  Learn more...

Outreach

Theatre Outreach Program for Students (TOPS) works with children throughout the five boroughs. The program serves students from all walks of life, including those from underserved communities. TBG has worked closely with the Career Education Center, Harvey Milk School, Hopper House, South Bronx Job Corp, Bailey House, St. Mary’s, Harlem United Community Aids Center, and Children’s Hope Foundation providing workshops in theatre, improvisation, and filmmaking.  Learn more...

Community Programming

In 2002, after moving into our Arts Center at 312 West 36 St, we began regularly producing community programming. Community programming includes FAB Women, fridays@tbg, our 48-hour film festival, and our 24-hour play festival. Learn more...

Film

In 2015, we launched TBGfilm. TBGfilm's goal is to give our community, which includes thousands of artists and alumni, a place to share digital film content. We curate a channel featuring selected work, and provide additional channels where community members can upload their own projects. Learn more...

Celebrated Alumni and Past Company Members

Anne Hathaway

Martin Moran

Sakina Jaffrey

Poorna Jaganathan

Alison Wright

Amy Hargreaves

Vera Farmiga

Sarita Choudhury

Lola Kirk

Brett Gray

Denis O'Hare

Tony Hale

Michael Stahl David

The Barrow Group community is open and comprised of artists and designers who have worked with us in the past, as well as our students and alumni, all of whom have a deep interest in our unique approach to storytelling.

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Equal Opportunity Statement

The Barrow Group reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender expression), age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran. This policy applies to all programs and facilities, including, but not limited to, admissions, educational programs, and employment. Any discriminatory action can be a cause for disciplinary action.

The Barrow Group is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation, contact tbg@barrowgroup.org at least ten days in advance.