The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre

The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre The Home of the Meisner Technique, upholding a rich legacy of excellence in actor training in NYC. In 1935, Sanford Meisner joined the faculty.

The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre has been a major force in American theatre and theatre education since its founding. The Neighborhood Playhouse was founded in 1915 at the forefront of the American theatre renaissance. Created by two philanthropic sisters, Alice and Irene Lewisohn, with the help of Rita Wallach Morgenthau, the original Playhouse was located in the famous Henry Street Settlement House. The Neighborhood Playhouse was one of the first Off-Broadway theatres. Committed to community and devoted to renewing the roots of drama, the Playhouse mounted works both classic and modern. In 1928 The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre opened its doors. The first class of only nine students had the privilege of being taught by theatre luminaries Martha Graham, Louis Horst, Laura Elliott, and Agnes DeMille. Over the years, this founding member of The Group Theatre developed and refined what is now known as the Meisner Technique: “To live truthfully under given imaginary circumstances.” The Meisner Technique is a step-by-step procedure of self-investigation for the actor now widely recognized as one of the foremost acting techniques taught today. Sanford Meisner retired in 1990 and served as Director Emeritus of the Acting Department until his death in 1997. All of the current members of the Neighborhood Playhouse acting department were trained to teach acting by Sanford Meisner.

Playhouse Pizza Party 2026 🍕Thank you to all our students, faculty, and staff for coming out. This was such a fun way to...
09/29/2026

Playhouse Pizza Party 2026 🍕
Thank you to all our students, faculty, and staff for coming out. This was such a fun way to start off the Fall semester!

Don’t miss your chance to see our talented NP Alums Faheem Bacchus and Melanie Santos in Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka ...
09/17/2026

Don’t miss your chance to see our talented NP Alums Faheem Bacchus and Melanie Santos in Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi! An extraordinary public art spectacle that will showcase beautiful puppetry while making their way through downtown Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. Check out the link below for more details ✨

Happy Constitution Day!
09/17/2026

Happy Constitution Day!

09/16/2026

👋 First Day of classes at The Neighborhood Playhouse!

Congratulations to NP Alum Allison Janney on winning her eighth Emmy Award 🏆 for her role as President Grace Penn in Th...
09/16/2026

Congratulations to NP Alum Allison Janney on winning her eighth Emmy Award 🏆 for her role as President Grace Penn in The Diplomat!✨

Welcome 1st and 2nd Year students! ✨✨✨Happy Orientation Day! We hope you had a wonderful summer and are so excited to st...
09/10/2026

Welcome 1st and 2nd Year students! ✨✨✨
Happy Orientation Day! We hope you had a wonderful summer and are so excited to start the new school year here at The Playhouse 🎭

Happy Birthday Mr. Meisner! Celebrating your 56 years at The Neighborhood Playhouse.We are honored to be the home of The...
08/31/2026

Happy Birthday Mr. Meisner! Celebrating your 56 years at The Neighborhood Playhouse.

We are honored to be the home of The Meisner Technique and to carry forward the extraordinary legacy you created here.

Discover professional actor training rooted in the Meisner Technique at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in NYC. Enroll today to hone your craft and start your acting journey.

08/27/2026

⏱️ Not long now until the beginning of our next 2YR Conservatory Program! APPLY TODAY!

👏 Congrats to NP Alum MARY STEENBURGEN who stars alongside Jake Johnson in The Dink. Check out the movie now on Apple TV...
08/25/2026

👏 Congrats to NP Alum MARY STEENBURGEN who stars alongside Jake Johnson in The Dink. Check out the movie now on Apple TV!

🥹 So proud!

08/21/2026

⭐️ Members of our Class of 2026 share their experience at The Neighborhood Playhouse

Address

340 E 54th Street
New York, NY
10022

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12126883770

Website

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