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The A.R.T./New York Theatres Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question that isn't answered here? The details and policies surrounding the new theatres are still being ironed out; be patient as we work to find answers to your many important questions!
Questions from Visitors:
Where are the A.R.T./New York Theatres?
The A.R.T./New York Theatres are located just west of 10th Avenue at 502 West 53rd Street. The closest subway stops are the C/E at 50th Street and the A/B/C/D and 59th Street.
How can I usher at the theatres?
Ushering positions are coordinated through the companies producing in our space. Please visit our Show Calendar to see what is currently playing at the Theatres, and reach out to the company directly for volunteer usher opportunities.
What are your box office hours? Can I stop by to purchase a ticket?
The A.R.T./New York Theatres do not have a box office on site. Rather, the companies who rent our spaces handle all of their own ticketing. If you know the name of the company whose show you would like to see, you will be able to purchase tickets via their website. This information is also listed on our Upcoming Shows page. Companies' onsite box offices typically open one hour preshow for ticket pickup or day of purchase. For additional ticking information, please contact the company directly.
Questions from renters:
How can I rent at the A.R.T./New York Theatres?
Member companies with annual budgets of $1 million or less who do not own theatres of their own are eligible to apply for subsidized rentals through the Rental Subsidy Fund. Applications are accepted on a monthly, rolling basis. For more information visit our Theatre Rental Subsidy Fund page.
The Theatres are available at non-subsidized rates for those companies who are not eligible for subsidy on a first come, first served basis. For more details, please contact the Theatres staff at [email protected].
While our primary focus is long term productions, the Theatres are also available for one night events and readings, subject to availability. These requests are considered on a rolling basis no more than sixty days prior to the date in question. For more details please contact our Operations Coordinator, Sarah Lahue at [email protected]
What is the Rental Subsidy Fund?
The Rental Subsidy Fund consists of money raised by A.R.T./New York that helps to underwrite the cost of operating our performance venue. Because of this we are able to offer subsidized rates to qualifying companies. The more money A.R.T./New York can raise for the Rental Subsidy Fund, the longer the fund lasts and the longer we can continue offering these subsidized rates. Members can apply for the RSF at any time. For more information on the Rental Subsidy Fund, visit this page.
What’s included in the rental rate?
To learn more about the amenities included with the rental rate, including technical packages for our theatre spaces, please visit the Gural and Mezzanine pages.
Can we apply for subsidy multiple times per season?
To ensure equity of access, companies can only receive subsidy once in our July-June theatrical season. However, there is no limit on one night events or short term unsubsidized rentals, availability permitting.
We understand that your season may not be planned out yet. You can still apply, just give us what information you can about your plans! There are other ways to make yourself stand out. Please take a look at the evaluation criteria for more information as to what the panel will be looking for. If you have your narrative statement written but are unsure about submitting your application, you can set up a narrative review. Please contact our Programs department at [email protected] for more information. If you are selected for Rental Subsidy we will discuss your production in more detail during your initial phone call with our staff.
Are there A.R.T./New York staff members on site?
Someone from the A.R.T./New York staff will always be in the building with you.
During business hours Monday-Friday, this is usually Production Manager/Technical Director Chris Connolly and Operations Coordinator Sarah Lahue.
On evenings and weekends, a part-time house technician will be on site. When the public is present for performances, there will be an A.R.T./New York Front-of-House manager on site as well.
Do you provide a TD to oversee our work?
Our Production Manager/TD, Chris Connolly (or one of the members of his staff) will be on site whenever you are in the building. However, you will still need to hire a TD for your production. Chris will work with your production team to answer any questions they may have about our equipment or our spaces, both during your pre-production process and during your load in and tech. You are responsible to provide all production labor required, and to provide someone to oversee the work of your production team.
What is included in the tech package? Do we have to pay extra to use the stock?
Each theatre has a dedicated light and sound inventory, including a com system and wireless microphones. Each theatre also has 2 projectors, as well as their own inventory of soft goods including a cyc and scrims. There is a shared inventory between the two spaces as well. Please see the equipment lists on the Gural page and Mezzanine page for more detailed information.
Can we arrange the spaces however we want?
We have a variety of seating layouts for our spaces – 15 in the Mezzanine and 7 in the Gural. These layouts are already permitted by FDNY and DOB and are by far the simplest option since we’ve already done the work to ensure the configurations meet all codes and regulations, and we have the riser hardware to build them.
Even so, some of our companies have chosen to go beyond our permitted layouts and file what is called a Temporary Place of Assembly Permit, or a TPA. Filing a TPA is an investment of both time and money – you will have to hire an architect to draw your new layout and file their stamped drawings with the appropriate city agencies for permits. In addition, you will be responsible for all FDNY and DOB fees and inspections as well as insuring that all codes and regulations are being met. We strongly encourage choosing one of our already permitted layouts, but are happy to answer any questions should you choose to file a TPA.
There are several steps to take before we can allow use of theatrical haze or fog in our theatres. We must be informed of the plan to use haze no later than 4 weeks prior to load in. Haze requires an Open Flame Permit from FDNY. In order to pull that permit you will need a permission letter signed by our PM/TD Chris Connolly stating the make and model of the hazer and the haze liquid you will be using. You will be responsible for filing for the permit, scheduling the onsite inspection, and for any fees associated with the permit or inspection. Once the permit is filed, the haze will be subject to extensive testing, supervised by Chris, under as close to show conditions as possible, until we achieve an effect that will not trigger our smoke and particle detectors. Only effects that have been approved by Chris (for duration and haze level) will be allowed. No use of haze is permitted for any reason before Chris has approved your effect. We've had some success with haze in the Mezzanine but have not had any success in the Gural. Should you choose to produce in our theatres and are interested in using haze in your production we will have a more in-depth conversation about the realities of haze in our spaces during our 8 and 4 week production meetings.
Since our spaces go through multiple reconfigurations a year, the seats are not numbered. If you choose to have numbered seating we are happy to work with you to create a numbering convention and brainstorm creative ways to number our seats.
Can we bring in outside equipment?
Yes! While we hope that the equipment provided will eliminate or greatly lessen your equipment rental needs, we understand that sometimes a production calls for elements that outside of our inventory. If this is the case, please talk to our Production Manager/TD Chris Connolly – he’ll be able to help make sure that any rentals are compatible with our infrastructure.
What are our access hours? Can we do overnight calls?
During your load in and tech, access hours are from 9am-11pm. (NOTE: The first day of load in for the Gural begins at 2pm on Monday. The first day of load in for the Mezzanine begins at 9am on Tuesday. This is so Theatres staff has time to check out the previous production.) After your show opens, your access hours begin 2 hours before curtain and end 1 hour after your show has ended OR 11pm, whichever is first. Due to our lease, we have a hard out at 11pm. Because of this we cannot facilitate overnight calls.
Is there sound bleed from one space to another?
Our theatres themselves are on opposite sides of the building, so sound bleed between them has not been an issue. We are in the same complex with our wonderful neighbors at MCC and The 52nd Street Project, but sound bleed has been extremely rare.
Yes! We have a laundry area that is shared by both spaces with two washers and two driers. There is no additional cost to use the laundry facilities. As you get closer to performances, our Operations Coordinator will reach out to create a laundry schedule that works for everyone. Each theatre also has its own dedicated steamer, iron, and ironing board. All we ask is that you bring your own detergent and any other laundry or wardrobe supplies.
What kind of insurance do we need to rent at the A.R.T./New York Theatres?
Each company needs insurance as fits the needs of your production. At minimum, this will include General Liability and Workers Comp and/or Volunteer Accident. A certificate of insurance (COI) must be provided naming A.R.T./New York and several other entities as Additional Insureds. At A.R.T./New York's discretion a Tenants and Users Liability Insurance Policy (TULIP) may be available to buy into for General Liability coverage. For more guidance, please review Summary of Insurance Needed and Requirements to Provide to Your Broker.
Is there a concession stand in the space? Can we serve alcohol?
A.R.T./New York doesn’t offer concessions in our space, but our renters are more than welcome to offer merchandise, pre-packaged snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages for sale. Alcohol cannot be sold in the space as we do not have a liquor license. However, beer and wine can be served at special events provided that your company has a General Liability insurance policy that includes Host Liquor Liability coverage. This is included in most GL policies, but if you are unsure please reach out to your provider. If you do not have host liquor, you can consider buying into our Tenants and Users Liability Insurance Policy (TULIP). For more details on this, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Does A.R.T./New York provide marketing support?
A.R.T./New York does not provide marketing support for those who produce at our Theatres. Productions at the Theatres will be listed on our Upcoming Shows page and will also be included in our weekly Member News email. Renters are welcome to share ticket offers in our weekly member newsletter. If this is of interest please contact Membership Coordinator Jeannely Lopez at [email protected]. More information on this is available in the marketing rider of your contract.
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