While at the Studio, actors work together to develop their skills in a private environment where they can take risks as performers without the pressure of commercial roles.

[3] After an initial meeting held on October 5, 1947, at the Labor Stage, located at 106 W. 39th Street (formerly the Princess Theatre), in which goals and ground rules of the new organization were discussed, the studio officially opened for business the following day.

[4] Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford, and Robert Lewis, who founded the studio together, had all been members of the Group Theatre, an early adopter of method acting in the 1930s.

[5] The studio has also provided opportunities for playwrights including Lorraine Hansberry, James Baldwin, Edward Albee and Tennessee Williams to develop new works.

[10] In 1955, it moved to its current location at 432 West 44th Street, a Greek Revival structure which was built for the Seventh Associate Presbyterian Church, in 1858 or 1859.