Five rehearsal spaces to rent in Manhattan

Gibney is a community-focused performing arts hub with two locations in Union Square and Civic Center. For 31 years, they have worked at the intersection of art and social justice to foster change in the city, both on and beyond the stage. Their Community Action program provides movement workshops for survivors of gender-based violence and their families and also has a youth-centered program that uses dance to start conversations about healthy relationships.

They have several spaces to rent, and the prices vary depending on non-profit (from $60-100/hr) or for-profit (from $70-150/hr) use. Small, medium, large, and extra-large spaces are available, for 2 to 60 people in Union Square and 8 to 48 in Civic Center. They also offer subsidized rates and residence programs for emerging artists.

Among the cluster of rehearsal spaces near Broadway is Open Jar, nestled in the heart of Times Square. Home to the largest studios in NYC, these column-free rooms are ideal for large-scale productions. High ceilings, sprung dance floors, grand pianos, and acoustically treated walls allow flexibility for even the most complicated of performances.

There are 22 rooms available to rent, and rates start at $19.50 an hour. The largest rooms, studios 11A and 11B, can hold up to 125 each or 300 combined. Smaller rooms can hold anywhere from 4 to 50, for intimate productions or breakout rehearsal rooms.

The studios are open 24/7, for late night or early morning creative bursts, and daily lockers are available for free. There’s also a kitchen and lounge area to relax or fuel up between sessions.

With four locations and nearly 100 spaces in NYC alone, Ripley Grier claims to be the largest rehearsal facility in the world. Considering the odds, there’s a chance that at least one of your neighbors will make it to Broadway – maybe it’ll even be you.

There are two locations near Times Square, within close distance of Broadway and its iconic stages, and a further two in Hell’s Kitchen (by Carnegie Hall) and the Upper West Side (near Lincoln Center and the Beacon Theatre). Prices range between $10 and $100 hourly, depending on size and amenities. Day and weekly rates are also available for long-term projects, and discounts are provided for union members and students.

The spaces vary in size to accommodate anything from one-man shows to large-scale ensembles, and many of them have pianos available. The buildings have additional rooms such as voice-over studios and performance spaces.

A few (tap) steps away from Broadway is Pearl Studios, a multi-floor rehearsal space with several options for booking rehearsal and audition spaces. Evening and daytime slots are available, meaning you can dance before your shift at Ellen’s Stardust Diner or after your 9-5 FiDi job.

Various sized rooms are available to rent out, with bigger spaces (50x20) for $120/hr or smaller for under $100/hr. Each room has a Yamaha or Kawai piano and Bluetooth speakers, and depending on your purpose, you can book rooms with mirrors, acoustical curtains, and sprung wood or Marley floors. Non-profit and union rates are also offered.

Since 2001, the PMT House of Dance has been a staple in the dance community of New York, offering classes ranging from jazz to ballet to hip hop. For experienced dancers (or shy amateurs), they offer four spaces to rent. Prices vary between $20 and $200 per hour, depending on the event type and capacity, and subsidized spaces are available for as low as $10/hr.

Studio A and Studio B are over 1,000 square feet with high ceilings, sprung Marley and wood floors, and PA sound systems. The smaller Studio C is 300 square feet and holds 5 dancers or 12 motionless performers. The 25x25 performance space has a seating capacity for up to 75, and full-day rates vary between $1500 and $3000.

Add-ons include a lighting and sound technician, a box office, and reception. All rentals include full-length mirrors, ballet barres, and folding tables and tables for up to 50 people.