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SITI Conservatory Artist Resource Guide 2016-2017

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 the 13-14 Con Artists

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, To learn about SITI Company, White tabi socks for Suzuki
morning training in Suzuki and please visit: http://siti.org. training can be bought at Kimono
Viewpoints runs from 10:00 AM- House, located at 131 Thompson
1:15 PM with a fifteen minute To learn about Tadashi Suzuki and Street, New York, NY 10012,
passing/ stretching period the Suzuki Company of Toga, between Houston and Prince
between classes. All classes begin please visit: http://www.scot- Streets. Their telephone number is
on time; please arrive early. suzukicompany.com/en/scot.php. 212-505-0232. You can also buy
To learn about the Six Viewpoints, tabi online, though you may want
Afternoon classes are held from to try on a pair first to find the
2:15-5:30 PM. Each week, some first articulated by Mary Overlie:
http://www.sixviewpoints.com/Th correct fit. If you do not have tabi,
afternoons are held for rehearsal you can wear cotton socks.
and personal research. eory1.html.
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SITI Conservatory Artist Resource Guide 2016-2017

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 your advisor
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://www.mta.info/maps/subma CityMaps provides a searchable
p.html. Car Services may save you money block-by-block map of NYC:
if you are travelling in the http://www.citymaps.com/map/.
Bikes: If you bike to 520 8th boroughs. You will need to pay in
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 2016-2017

Getting Around
SITI’s Zeisler 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 1 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
Gypsy Housing: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gypsyhousing/
Hunting Many of Conservatory Graduates recommend this Facebook
group as a resource for short- or long-term housing. You will need
Resources to join the group in order to respond to posts.

By law, landlords cannot discriminate
Hotpads: http://hotpads.com/NY/New_York
on the basis of your actual or perceived
race, age, gender, creed, sexual Free listings of apartments around New York City.
orientation, disability, citizenship,
marital/ partnership status, and Naked Apartments: http://www.nakedapartments.com
occupation. As a NYC tenant, you have Free listings of apartments in New York City. Free account
a right to see the past year’s history of
required. You can search for no-broker’s-fee apartments.
pests in the apartment, especially bed
bugs. Ask!
Rent Direct: http://www.rent-direct.com
In NYC, most apartments are available Rental listing service. Offers listings of no-fee apartments.
through real estate brokers who
charge you a nonrefundable fee. A
broker’s fee may be up to 15% of a Roommate Click: http://www.easyroommate.com
year’s rent. That means for a Free listings for people seeking roommates in New York City.
$2,000/month apartment, you’ll have
to pay the broker $3,600 at the time of Sublet.com: http://www.sublet.com
lease signing. Sometimes brokers will Listings of long- and short-term rentals and apartment shares.
be willing to negotiate down their fee
to the cost of one month’s rent.

Zillow: http://www.zillow.com
A note on neighborhoods: if possible, Listings of apartments for rent and for sale. Includes estimates of
visit the neighborhood that you’re property value and information about the neighborhood.
considering both during the day and at
night to gauge how you feel there.

And, if you’re interested in learning Apartment and Kitchenware:
more about anti-gentrification Ellen says: buy it at Michael’s on 32nd between 6th and 7th avenue.
movements in NYC, please reach out
to Megan at SITI (mhanley@siti.org).

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SITI Conservatory Artist Resource Guide 2016-2017

Short and Long-term Accommodation: Guest Houses and Dorms

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, Jeanne D'Arc Residence (Chelsea)

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

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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 help you find the resources
healthcare options. you need in order to be well. Please do not 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 • Time Out

SITI’s studio is available to Conservatory Artists • Flavorpill
seven days a week from October 3,2016 – May • Gothamist
21, 2017. Prior to the beginning of the program, if • Village Voice
you need rehearsal space, try the following • NonsenseNYC
affordable spaces.
Quick Food and Coffee near the SITI Studio
NYC Performing Arts Spaces (Various) • Ramini’s Espresso Bar (265 W 37th)
http://nycdancespaces.org/welcome.html • Gregory’s (8th Avenue)
• Wok to Walk (570 8th Avenue)
Triskelion Arts (Williamsburg) • Café Grumpy (200 W 39th)
http://www.triskelionarts.org/ • Hale and Hearty Soups (462 Fashion Ave)
• Piccolo Café (274 W 40th Street)
Mark Morris Dance Group (Downtown Brooklyn) • Pieface (7th Avenue and 36th)
https://markmorrisdancegroup.org/the_dance_c
enter/studio_rental Food delivery: You can order food for delivery at
http://www.seamless.com.
BAX (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
http://thebuilding.bax.org Restaurant recommendations: Check out
http://www.yelp.com/manhattan and
Events and goings-on http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/3/New-York-
The following websites offer event listings and restaurants.html for other restaurant
NYC-centric news: recommendations. 9

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Advice from Graduates of the SITI Conservatory

As our third group of Conservatory Artists (affectionately called the “Con Artists”), you can turn to our 35
graduates of the SITI Conservatory for advice and support. If requested, the SITI Office can connect you
with a 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 Transportation
Contact former Conservatory artists, because they Give yourself an hour and a half to get everywhere
will know people who know people. Otherwise: in your first three weeks, then go from there.
you don’t have to live in Manhattan if it’s too
expensive- Brooklyn and Queens are really not that ALWAYS calculate more time than needed for
far away. commuting, because 70% of the time something
happens on the subway.
Gypsy Housing (on facebook) is a great resource for
young artists. If in Manhattan, CitiBike is great for the first half of
the year and the spring time. Only $95 for an
Come before the program starts to secure a place! annual pass. Then you only need to use the
Take the time to check out craigslist spots! It's subway for a few months. Saves a ton of money!
important to have a place you feel a good about,
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.

Gypsy Housing (a Facebook group) is great for
sublets as leasing in NYC is near impossible if you
are foreign. Or maybe consider the International
House. I found that living with nice, interesting
people who are not in the program was a saving
grace of my first apartment in NY. Having come
from a different country I missed having my wider
circle of friends readily available and the
opportunity to socialize outside was very welcome.
You will spend so much time with the other
ConArtists over the nine months and however
much you love them, you will occasionally want to
Photo credit: Al Foote

see other faces.

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Advice from Graduates of the SITI Conservatory

Transportation, continued
Biking is great! Be sure to have a helmet. It is invaluable to have the time outside rather than underground on
your way to the studio in the morning. Also a nice way to warm up your body.
In the winter especially, unlimited monthly metro-cards are a worthwhile investment. They ease the stress of
counting trips, and end up being monetarily worthwhile.

I used a weekly subway card; just buy a monthly! But don’t lose it. Definitely don’t pay daily for subway. Only
take a cab if you have to (they are pricey)! Don’t be afraid of learning the bus system. EmbarkNYC: great
public transportation app- get it!

Preparing for the Conservatory Year
Keep a journal up to the start date from the moment you are accepted, and continue journaling throughout
the year. This is pivotal for sanity and happiness.

Do not subsist on pizza before beginning your year. Give yourself time to acclimate to NYC if you can. For the
love of god, do not laugh during stomping and shakuhachi.

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!

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
collaborate with them after the Conservatory program
Photo credit: Al Foote

ends.

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Advice from Graduates of the SITI Conservatory, continued

Food (Where to get lunch near 520 8th Avenue?)
PAX gives us a 5% discount with your building swipe card, but it is still more expensive than other places.

Asian: GoGoCurry and next to that a HongKong eatery on 38th.

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

Tabata Ramen on 8th Avenue and 36th.

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?
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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