The Barrow Group

The Barrow Group, founded in 1986, is a nonprofit performing arts organization in New York City that provides the public a place to “come together and experience stories that are relevant to our lives as we live them, with the ultimate goal of inspiring greater understanding of ourselves, others, and the world around us.” The Barrow Group practices an approach to storytelling that encourages spontaneity in actors’ performances, so that audiences feel less like they’re watching performers on stage and more like they’re watching real people in real situations. Each year TBG serves over 25,000 patrons, students, and artists in their 9,000 square foot midtown Manhattan arts center with a theatre and education programming. The Barrow Group’s productions have won Drama Desk and OBIE Awards, and their alumni have won Academy, Emmy, OBIE, Lucille Lortel, and Drama Desk Awards. CBS News and Time Out NY have named The Barrow Group one of the top places to study acting in New York City.

PHILOSOPHY
The best technique is invisible.
Unplanned behavior is usually much more interesting than planned behavior.
There is no one “way” to approach acting. It’s all about finding whatever works.
Relaxation is the key to many of the things we strive for.
Acting is most exciting when it is spontaneous and moment-to-moment.
The best technique leaves us free (free to imagine, free to respond, free to feel, free to whatever).
Acting is easy, and acting classes are fun.
Carolyn created The Barrow Group’s logo, many of their posters, postcards, invitations, and collateral.