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The Actors Studio is a membership organization for professional actors, theatre directors and playwrights at 432 West 44th Street in the Hells Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded October 5, 1947 by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford, and Robert Lewis. Anna Sokolow taught movement for actors, but the Studio is best known for its work refining and teaching method acting. The group initial met in a rehearsal space in the Princess Theatre in Focus by S. Carnicke - Routledge; (November 1, 1998) ISBN 9057550709 This approach was originally developed by the Group Theatre in the 1930s based on the innovations of Constantin Stanislavski. The Studio came to worldwide recognition under the leadership of Lee Strasberg, who took over the helm in 1951.While at the Studio, actors work together to develop their skills in an experimental environment, where they can take risks as performers without the pressure of commercial roles.

In 1955 it moved to its current location in the former Seventh Associate Presbyterian Church (built in 1859).From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship by David W. Dunlap - Columbia University Press (April 21, 2004) ISBN 0231125429

The Actors Studio Drama School

From September 1994 through May 2005, the Studio collaborated with The New School in the education of masters-level theater students at the Actors Studio Drama School (ASDS). After months of negotiation, New School President Bob Kerrey decided not to renew the Studio's contract and selected Robert LuPone to head the new program. By ending 10 years of collaboration with the Studio, he was criticized by some of the university's alumni.The New York Times - New School, in Split With Actors Studio, to Create Own ProgramSince the fall of 2006, the Actors Studio has offered a three-year MFA degree program through Pace University. [1]