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SITI Conservatory Artist Resource Guide 2018-2019

SITI Conservatory
Artist Resources

Photo credit: Al Foote

Getting Around 2-3 Finding Housing 4-6 Living in NYC 7-12
Subways and Busses, Apartment Hunting Health & Wellness, Seeing
Bikes, Commuting, Car Resources, Short- and Theater, Rehearsal Space,
Services, Right Rides, Long-term Accommodation Events & Goings-on, Quick
CityMaps, Cabs, and Food Near the Studio, Tips
Airport Travel from our Graduates

Training
The SITI Conservatory is broken into five modules of study:
Creating, Moving, Listening, Speaking, and Core Training
in Suzuki and Viewpoints.
From Monday through Friday, morning To learn about SITI Company,
training in Suzuki and Viewpoints runs from please visit: http://siti.org.
White tabi socks for Suzuki training
10:00 AM-1:15 PM with a fifteen minute
can be bought at Kimono House,
passing/ stretching period between classes. To learn about Tadashi Suzuki and
the Suzuki Company of Toga, located at 131 Thompson Street, New
Afternoon classes are held from 2:15-5:30 please visit: http://www.scot- York, NY 10012, between Houston
PM. All classes begin on time; please arrive suzukicompany.com/en/scot.php. and Prince Streets. Their telephone
early. number is 212-505-0232. You can also
To learn about the Six Viewpoints, buy tabi online, though you may want
When possible, SITI reserves one afternoon first articulated by Mary Overlie: to try on a pair first to find the correct
each week for your rehearsals. However, http://www.sixviewpoints.com/Th fit. If you do not have tabi, you can
most of your Conservatory rehearsals will eory1.html. wear cotton socks.
take place on evenings and weekends.
Please be prepared to commit to this
rehearsal time as you plan for this full year.
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Getting Around
SITI’s expectation is that all
artists will arrive at the studio
on time and ready to train each
day. If you must miss a class or
arrive late for any reason,
please speak to the SITI faculty
first and then e-mail the office
at conservatory@siti.org. It is
up to the Company member
leading to decide if latecomers
may enter the studio to observe
training. If you observe Suzuki,
you will be asked to observe
Viewpoints as well.

Subways and Busses: You can buy Commuting: If you live in RightRides offers free, late night
Metrocards with cash or credit Manhattan, your commute to SITI rides home to women and LGBTQ
card in NYC subway stations. may be 30 minutes or less. If you individuals on Friday and Saturday
Metrocards are good for subway live in Brooklyn, Queens, the nights between midnight and three
and most bus transportation. (NYC Bronx, or New Jersey, you can AM. Available in many
also has select bus service, for expect your commute to be 30 neighborhoods in Brooklyn, the
which you must pay an additional minutes to one hour. From Staten South Bronx, Queens, and upper
fee.) You may want to purchase an Island, expect at least an hour and lower Manhattan. To call for a
Unlimited Ride weekly or monthly commute and a beautiful view of ride, the dispatch number is (888)
card if you use the subway every the Statue of Liberty from the 215-SAFE (7233).
day. For an MTA map, visit: (free) ferry! (http://rightrides.org).
http://www.mta.info/maps/subma
p.html. Car Services may save you money CityMaps provides a searchable
if you are travelling in the block-by-block map of NYC:
Bikes: If you bike to 520 8th boroughs. You will need to pay in http://www.citymaps.com/map/.
Avenue, you can park your bike at cash. The car should post the name
the service entrance on 36th street. of its company. In Brooklyn, try Subway service
You will need to bring your own calling Eastern Car Service at (718) changes
bike lock, and bikes cannot be left 499-6227. In Queens, try dramatically on
in the building overnight. Blue Citi Sunnyside Car Service at (718) 507- weekends!
bikes are available for rent in many 2600. In the Bronx, try Prestige Car Check mta.info
neighborhoods. The nearest Citi Service at (718) 798-7700. You for service
bike stand to the studio is on 34th might also sign up for Uber, a taxi alerts before
street between 8th and 9th. & rideshare app (www.uber.com). you travel.

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SITI Conservatory Artist Resource Guide 2018-2019

Getting Around
SITI’s Studio is located at 520 Eighth Avenue , Suite 310, in Midtown
Manhattan. The closest subway station is the A,C,E train to 34th Street-
Penn Station. The 34th Street/Herald Square Station is also a short walk
from the studio, and the N, Q, R, B, F, M, and D trains stop there.

Cabs: Yellow and green cabs can be hailed on the street. You can also use public transportation to and from the
These cabs are marked as official NYC cars, and cab airports, which is time-consuming but affordable:
drivers should have their medallion and identification
displayed and a working, easy-to-read meter. You can From JFK Airport: Take the AirTrain to the subway
use cash or credit card to pay for cabs, but cab drivers station. You can catch the A train to Howard Beach/JFK
do have to pay fees when you use a card—so it’s or the E, J, or Z trains from Jamaica Station. You must
customary to tip more if paying this way. Yellow cabs pay $5 for the AirTrain in addition to the regular subway
offer flat rates from Manhattan to the airports. fee.

Dollar vans are unmarked minivans that run down major From LaGuardia: going to Manhattan and Queens, you
streets in the boroughs and pick up and drop off can take the M60, Q33, 347, Q48, or Q72 busses from
passengers along the route. the airport. These busses also connect to the N or the Q
train to Manhattan and Brooklyn. See
From the Airport: You can take a cab from the airports. http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/airport.htm for more
There are official taxi stands at all three airports; use directions.
these stands rather than responding to drivers who may
wait outside of baggage claim and offer their services. From Newark Airport: Take the AirTrain to the New
Cab fare from the airport is measured on the meter and Jersey Transit Trains, then buy a ticket to New
can be quite expensive, ranging from about $30 to most York/Penn Station, where you can connect to most
locations in Queens to about $60 to Downtown major subway lines. You can also take the Newark
Brooklyn. From JFK to Manhattan, you will be charged a Airport Express bus to midtown Manhattan:
flat fare of $52. It is customary to tip your taxi driver. http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/ss.newarkairport.as

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Please exercise common sense when using these sites. Do not respond
to ads that seem too good to be true, and, if possible, visit the
apartment and sign a contract before paying a deposit. You may need
to pay for a background check when you apply for an apartment.

Apartment List: http://www.apartmentlist.com/ny/new-york#map

Free listings of apartments around New York City.

Craigslist: http://newyork.craigslist.org
Free listings of apartments and rooms in New York City. Craigslist
is widely used but unmoderated, so exercise common sense
when using it!

EasyRoommate: www.easyroommate.com
Register for a free account, then post advertisements seeking a
roommate or browse available rooms.
Apartment
Ghostlight Housing: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gypsyhousing/
Hunting Many Conservatory graduates recommend this Facebook group as
a resource for short- or long-term housing. You will need to join
Resources the group to respond to posts.

By law, landlords cannot Hotpads: http://hotpads.com/NY/New_York
discriminate on the basis of your Free listings of apartments around New York City.
actual or perceived race, age,
gender, creed, sexual orientation, Naked Apartments: http://www.nakedapartments.com
disability, citizenship, marital/
Free listings of apartments in New York City. Free account
partnership status, and
required. You can search for no-broker’s-fee apartments.
occupation. As a NYC tenant, you

have a right to see the past year’s
Rent Direct: http://www.rent-direct.com
history of pests in the apartment,
especially bed bugs. Ask! Rental listing service. Offers listings of no-fee apartments.

In NYC, most apartments are Roommate Click: http://www.easyroommate.com
available through real estate Free listings for people seeking roommates in New York City.
brokers who charge you a
nonrefundable fee. A broker’s fee Sublet.com: http://www.sublet.com
may be up to 15% of a year’s rent. Listings of long- and short-term rentals and apartment shares.
That means for a $2,000/month
apartment, you’ll have to pay the Zillow: http://www.zillow.com
broker $3,600 at the time of lease Listings of apartments for rent and for sale. Includes estimates of
signing. Sometimes brokers will property value and information about the neighborhood.
be willing to negotiate down their
fee to the cost of one month’s
rent.
Apartment and Kitchenware:
Ellen says: buy it at Michael’s on 32nd between 6th and 7th avenue.

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Short and Long-term Accommodation

SITI Company does not endorse or recommend any of the facilities or services listed below. Artists should
inquire about deposits, fees, minimum/maximum stays, and cancellation policies before moving into a
residence.

92nd Street Y/De Hirsch Residence (UES) International House (Morningside Heights)
1395 Lexington Avenue, NYC 10128 500 Riverside Drive (at 122nd Street), NYC
(212) 415-5660; dehirsch@92y.org Contact info: admissions@ihouse-nyc.org
http://www.92y.org/Residence.aspx Website: www.ihouse-nyc.org
Rates: Rates starting at $1400/monthly Rates: Monthly: $884-$1484
Notes: Choice of single or double rooms with Notes: Offers private dormitory-style bedrooms,
shared, single-sex bathrooms. Communal, fully suites and apartments. Additional amenities
equipped kitchen. Laundry rooms located include numerous lounges, a gymnasium and
throughout the residence. fitness center, a pub, music practice rooms, 24-
Type: Co-Ed Student Housing hour security and internet in every room.
Type: Co-Ed Student Housing
Amsterdam Residence (Upper West Side)
207 West 85th Street, NYC 10024 Pennington Friends House (Lower East Side)
212) 873-9402; amsterdam.residence@gte.net 215 East 15th Street, NYC 10003
http://www.sarahomestay.com/students/stude PenningtonFriends@gmail.com
nt-residence/ http://penington.org/?page_id=102
Rates: Rates starting at $401/week Rates: Monthly: $800-1,300
Notes: In addition to the Student Housing Notes: Operated by a Quaker community,
building, the affiliated group Sara Homestay also residents are responsible for sharing in
can place students in homestays in any of New housework. Two meals per day (except Saturday)
York's five boroughs. are included in all rates (breakfast and dinner).
Type: Co-Ed Student Housing Long waiting list. Reserve early.
Type: Co-Ed Student Housing
Educational Housing Services - Student Housing
31 Lexington Avenue, NYC 10010 Kolping House (Upper East Side of Manhattan)
http://www.studenthousing.org/apply/request- 165 East 88 Street, New York, NY 10128
more-information residence@kolpingny.org; call 212-369-6647 or
Rates: Rates from $3,500 per semester for a fax request to 212-987-5652.
shared room, plus a $250 membership fee http://www.kolpingny.org/hostel.cfm
Notes: A student housing service with various Rates: Daily: $60 Weekly: $175. Maximum stay: 3
locations in NYC, including Midtown Manhattan, months
the Upper East Side, and Brooklyn Heights. All Notes: Men only. Ages 21-35. Operated by the
rooms come fully furnished, and utilities, local Catholic Kolping Society. Reservations should be
phone, high-speed Internet, and gym access are made 2-3 months in advance.
included. Type: Men Only Student Housing
Type: Co-Ed Student Housing

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Short and Long-term Accommodation,

continued

Brandon Residence for Women (UWS) Jeanne D'Arc Residence (Chelsea)
340 West 85th Street, NYC 10024 253 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 496-6901; Brandon@voa-gny.org info@jdaresidence.com
http://www.thebrandon.org http://www.jdaresidence.com
Rates: Monthly $1,023 - $1,218 Rates: Rates from $459 (shared room)-$728 (single)
Notes: Women only. Private, furnished rooms Notes: Women only. Operated by the Sisters of
with shared bathroom. Breakfast and dinner are Divine Providence.
included. The house does not allow overnight Type: Women-only Student Housing
guests.
Type: Women-only Student Housing The Webster (Midtown)
419 West 34th Street New York, NY 10001-1596
Centro Maria Residence (Hell's Kitchen) Request an application by calling: (212) 967-9000 or
539 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 (800) 242-7909 during regular working hours or by
Cenmariany@gmail.com sending a letter by fax to: (212) 268-8569. The
http://www.catholiccharitiesny.org/our- Webster does not correspond through email.
agencies/a-z-directory/index.cfm?i=17 http://www.websterapartments.org/about.htm
Rates: Weekly rates from $150/person Rates: Rates from $350/week.
Notes: Women only. Operated by the Religious Notes: Women only. Includes maid service, two
Sisters of Mary Immaculate. Nightly curfew: meals a day, usually a full breakfast and dinner, and
11:30 p.m. Breakfast and dinner included in the use of practice rooms and gardens.
rates. Single female students only, 18 to 29 Type: Women-only Student Housing
years old. Call for application; interview
required. Sacred Heart Residence (Chelsea)
Type: Women-only Student Housing 432 West 20th Street New York, NY 10011
sacredheartresidence@hotmail.com
El Carmelo Residence (Chelsea) http://www.sacredheartresidence.com/index.html
249 W 14th Street, New York, NY 10011 Rates: $350/week
newyorkcts@carmelitastsj.org Notes: Women only. Sacred Heart Residence for
http://www.hermanascarmelitas.org/index- Women is administered by the Congregation of San
english.html Jose de la Montana. The building has a curfew.
Rates: Weekly rates from $155/person, plus a Type: Women-only Student Housing
$50 registration fee and a $250 deposit.
Notes: Women only. Operated by the Carmelite St. Mary's Residence (Upper East Side)
Sisters. Letter of recommendation required. 225 East 72nd Street, New York, NY 10021
Curfew: 11 pm Sunday-Thursday; 12 midnight stmarysres72@aol.com,
Friday-Saturday. Breakfast and dinner included http://stmarysresidence.blogspot.com
in rates. Meals are Mon-Fri only. Ages 18-35. Rates: $215/week + $235 deposit for stays of over
Type: Women-only Student Housing three months. Notes: Women only. Operated by the
Congregation of the Daughter of Divine Charity.
Private rooms. No overnight guests.

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Photo credit: Al Foote

Health and Wellness

City MD Sexual Health

CityMD provides urgent care and walk-in doctor’s New York City offers free and confidential counseling
visits for those who do not have a primary care and clinics that provide HIV and STD testing. Patients
provider in NYC. are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. For more
information, please visit:
The nearest CityMD to SITI is located at 37 West http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/living/std-
23rd, and the phone number is (646) 596-9267. clinics.shtml.
Please visit citymd.com for more information.
Planned Parenthood
Health Care Planned Parenthood offers women’s health services,
All Conservatory Artists must have health care including birth control and emergency
while they are enrolled in the program. contraception. They accept most health insurance
plans. For more information, please visit
International artists can purchase an insurance http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-
plan through https://www.isoa.org. center/all/all/10018.

US Citizens can visit https://www.healthcare.gov/ If you need help, please ask!
or http://www.healthbenefitexchange.ny.gov for The SITI staff is here to support you. Please do not
healthcare options. hesitate to ask us for help.

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Seeing Theater in NYC
You can buy discounted and day-of tickets to
Broadway and Off-Broadway shows at:

Theatre Development Fund offers discounted
theatre tickets if you become a member. Your SITI
Conservatory Student ID should fulfill the
membership requirements. Get more information
at http://www.tdf.org.

TKTS Booths in Times Square, Downtown

Brooklyn, and South Street Seaport sell discounted
tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows on
the day of the performance.
http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56.

Theatermania is a website where you can buy

tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows:
http://www.theatermania.com.

Today Tix is an app where you can buy day-of and

week-of discount tickets: www.todaytix.com.

There are many spaces outside of the Broadway world where you can see excellent theatre and performance
in New York. Here are a few recommendations:

• The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) produces theatre, music, dance, and film festivals. Their fall
Next Wave Festival often attracts world-renowned performers. http://www.bam.org
• HERE features performances in theatre, dance, music, puppetry, media and visual art:
http://here.org.
• La MaMa is a Lower East Side institution supporting playwrights and theater artists:
http://lamama.org
• The New Ohio produces independent theatre artists: http://www.sohothinktank.org/index.html.
• New York Theater Workshop features new works: http://www.nytw.org/default.asp.
• New York Live Arts features movement-based work and is the home of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane
Dance Company: http://www.newyorklivearts.org/#/home.
• Performance Space 122 showcases a wide range of live performance: http://www.ps122.org
• Signature Theatre focuses on supporting playwrights: http://www.signaturetheatre.org/index.aspx.
• St. Ann’s Warehouse in Dumbo hosts a variety of theater and music performances:
http://www.stannswarehouse.org/index.php.
• Playwrights Horizons produces contemporary American plays:
http://www.playwrightshorizons.org.
• The Public produces both Shakespeare (free performances in Central Park each summer) and
contemporary work: http://www.publictheater.org.


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NYC Resources: Rehearsing, Going out, Eating

Rehearsal Space Events and goings-on

SITI’s studio is available to Conservatory Artists The following websites offer event listings and NYC-
seven days a week beginning October 15, 2018. centric news:
Prior to or after the program, if you need • Time Out
rehearsal space, try the following affordable • Gothamist
spaces. • Village Voice
• NonsenseNYC
NYC Performing Arts Spaces (Various)
http://nycdancespaces.org/welcome.html Quick Food and Coffee near the SITI Studio
• Gregory’s Coffee (520 8th Avenue)
Triskelion Arts (Williamsburg) • Ramini’s Espresso Bar (265 W 37th)
http://www.triskelionarts.org/ • Wok to Walk (570 8th Avenue)
• Café Grumpy (200 W 39th)
TheaterLab (Midtown) • Hale and Hearty Soups (462 Fashion Ave)
http://www.theaterlabnyc.com/ Nanoosh (469 7th Avenue)

Mark Morris Dance Group (Downtown Brooklyn) Food delivery: You can order food for delivery at
https://markmorrisdancegroup.org/the_dance_c http://www.seamless.com.
enter/studio_rental
Restaurant recommendations: Check out
BAX (Park Slope, Brooklyn) http://www.yelp.com/manhattan and
http://thebuilding.bax.org http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/3/New-York-
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Advice from Conservatory Graduates

As our fourth ensemble of Conservatory Artists (affectionately called the “Con Artists”), you can turn to
our 53 graduates of the SITI Conservatory for advice and support. The SITI Office can get you in touch
with SITI Conservatory alumni who can offer advice on navigating the visa process, moving to New York,
surviving winter in NYC, preparing for classes, you name it.

We asked the Con Artists for some preliminary tips, and here’s what they said.
Finding Housing underground on your way to the studio in the
Contact former Conservatory artists, because they morning. Also a nice way to warm up your body.
will know people who know people. Otherwise: In the winter especially, unlimited monthly metro-
you don’t have to live in Manhattan if it’s too cards are a worthwhile investment. They ease the
expensive- Brooklyn and Queens are really not that stress of counting trips, and end up being
far away. monetarily worthwhile.

Ghostlight Housing (on Facebook) is a great I used a weekly subway card; just buy a monthly!
resource for young artists. But don’t lose it. Definitely don’t pay daily for
subway. Only take a cab if you have to (they are
Come before the program starts to secure a place! pricey)! Don’t be afraid of learning the bus system.
Take the time to check out craigslist spots! It's EmbarkNYC: great public transportation app- get
important to have a place you feel a good about, it!
and ideally one where you can stay put for the
duration of the program.

International House: great 1st year in NYC place to
live, especially for International artists! Panels,
talks, opportunity to connect with other theater
and non-theater people.

Transportation
Give yourself an hour and a half to get everywhere
in your first three weeks, then go from there.

ALWAYS calculate more time than needed for
commuting, because 70% of the time something
happens on the subway.

If in Manhattan, CitiBike is great for the first half of
the year and the spring time. Only $95 for an
annual pass. Then you only need to use the subway
for a few months. Saves a ton of money!
Photo credit: Al Foote

Biking is great! Be sure to have a helmet. It is
invaluable to have the time outside rather than

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Advice from Conservatory Graduates, continued

Preparing for the Conservatory Year

Do not subsist on pizza before beginning your year. Give yourself time to acclimate to NYC if you can. Come
to terms with the fact that you are going to cry a lot during the first semester/all year/the rest of your life.
And for the love of god, do not laugh during stomping and shakuhachi.

Exercise.

It is going to be an extremely intense year in every sense, but if you enter with as open a mind and heart as
you can, it will make your life a million times easier and you will gain so much more. Soak up all you can from
your peers and the talents surrounding you. It’s extremely special. There is nothing like it.

Know the texts. Be in good health, good condition (really!). Read about the training and SITI history.

Know yourself! Articulate your goals for yourself, as specifically as you can. Check in with them and see how
they change. Take notes after class, before you forget!
Ellen said at the beginning of our year, things will get hard, but always go back to the training. Always go
back to the training- put it in the training.
Sleep!

Make a budget plan of how you’re going to allocate your finances throughout the year and stick with it. Be
smart in how you may earn extra money. I wish I had at least signed up to babysit via an agency (could have
been a small but beneficial source of income) and I could have babysat weekend nights. Get enough rest
though. Drink water. Go outside and explore in some of your free time. Make a plan of action for the next
steps after the conservatory. Get in contact with students at NY Film Academy, Columbia, and NYU and see if
you can partake in their work for extra experience.

Food (Where to get lunch near 520 8th Avenue?)
Pack your lunch, fool.

PAX gives us a 5% discount, but it is more expensive
than other places.

Asian: GoGoCurry and next to that a HongKong eatery
on 38th, bakery and chinese eatery on 35th.

Ask Leon about Halal and Spanish food. It will change
your life.

Photo credit: Al Foote

Don’t know about food, bringing your own stuff is

probably the best.

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Advice from the Conservatory graduates, continued

Food, Continued

Coffee: Ramini’s around the corner.

PACK A LUNCH! Cook on Sunday and bring your deliciousness all week!
Otherwise, PAX, or Wok to Walk, or IGK on 8th--there's a middle eastern place on 40th and 7th called Maoz
with cheap falafel and serve yourself salads, yum!
For solo-time cafes, check out Cupcake Cafe on 9th at 40th, or Grumpy's, or Ramini on 37th, east of 8th
Avenue on the north side.

Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Wasabi Sushi and Bento (561 7th Ave), Pret a Manger (7th ave)…

Grocery runs at Trader Joe’s weekly so you can bring your lunch: cheaper option.

Health: any doctors/clinics/physical therapists you’d recommend?

I don’t have any recommendations, but if something hurts, deal with it sooner rather than later.

Dr. Robert Kornfeld specializes in difficult cases of foot and ankle pain. His office’s number is 516.869.3388.
The address is 369 Lexington Ave, NYC. More info at: www.drrobertkornfeld.com.

It is each artist’s responsibility to take care of themselves and be prepared for injury and strains. Before the
program begins, research body work, stretching, differences between strains and injuries, vocal health etc.

Planned Parenthood was great. And I was able to get on their family planning insurance and all of my
treatments were free. Check it out!

Other

Photo credit: Al Foote

CLEAN YOUR MUGS.

Listen to your body and your
heart. Don't ignore them. Don't
"cover up" any emotional pain
by pushing your physicality to
the edges. Work really hard but
don't overdo it because injuries
will become your best friends!

ENJOYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!

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