Brooklyn Players describes itself as "After-School Performing Arts Classes for 4 year olds through…read moreteens and adults, as well as 4-week musical theater program for 8-13 year olds during the summer. Classes in Singing, Theater, Guitar, Musical Theater and Film and Movie-Making. Small classes with individualized attention in a cozy, professional and nurturing environment. " I am a parent of three children who have studied musical theater through Brooklyn Players, in both the summer and school year (after school) programs. Brooklyn Players is fantastic, and my kids have gained tremendously from attending. I am impressed with the way they have developed my children's skills to such a high level in a program which is truly fun and nurturing, and where teamwork aspects of theater are strongly emphasized. I have never before seen a performing program (for music or theater) where there is such a relaxed feeling but such amazingly professional results. I have one child who just started college but attended Brooklyn Summer Players every year from age 9 to 13, and I have one much younger child who recently completed his first year in the 4 week summer program. I find the staff very talented, and it has been fun to watch the kids grow and develop in the program. When my now college-age son applied to high school, he was admitted to some very selective programs (like the very small, highly esteemed theater program at Edward Murrow high school). It has been fun and impressive to see the Brooklyn Players graduates continue their successful efforts to perform in school and outside of school as well. Many students from Brooklyn Players end up with leading roles in high school productions, whether or not they choose to attend selective arts programs for high school. I am glad my sons learned so much from Brooklyn Players, but I think it is equally valuable that the program was really fun for them too. I am delighted my youngest is still in Brooklyn Players and continuing to enjoy and learn from it as his older brothers did. I highly recommend the summer program as well as the school year classes. We are fortunate to have such a great program in Park Slope.

My daughter has participated in both the summer and after-school programs. Her summer experience…read moretwo years ago ignited a love for musical theatre that she has been pursuing ever since through voice and acting classes with Brooklyn Players. The after-school classes are the perfect size; each student gets a lot of individual attention. The caliber of students is very high, yet there is an atmosphere of mutual support instead of competitiveness. When my daughter began voice classes with Corinne, she was not so confident in her abilities. I am almost more pleased with her increased confidence than I am with her technical skill, but she has Brooklyn Players to thank for both at this point. Sadly, we are leaving the area, so she can't do the summer show this year, but she has been accepted into a very selective summer theatre program in the area we are moving to. We have been so fortunate to have this amazing resource right here in the neighborhood; Brooklyn Players is a great choice for any kid with an interest in performing.

Dimensions on stage became my daughters favorite thing to do when doing musical theater! The…read moreteachers, she LOVES them ! She usually just goes to the summer camps every year because she just does'nt have time she usually just does the theater club at her school. The camps have different weeks for summer camp every year! She's been here during the year only twice! This location is perfect. Here are some pictures of my daughter celebrating her birthday here !

Basically an overpriced after-school drama club. If you're looking for professional training then I…read morewouldn't necessarily go here. My child definitely had fun, but NOT what we were looking for. Owner often yells at the kids as well.

Our daughter loves being a part of the Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center. She is currently…read moreworking on a solo work Despina Simegiatos and it's only been a few weeks, but the choreography is absolutely beautiful and they always win first overall at competitions with their Power Pak team, which Despina choreographs as well. Our daughter loves all the teachers, especially Samantha whom she started with when she was in Kindergarten. The Nutcracker performance that the children dance in is such a special opportunity for them to experience dancing at a professional level with NY City Ballet performers and it's truly a magical show. We're proud to support this family run business where the students are treated like part of the family.

I don't even know where to start. Ever since I started dancing at Vicki's, to the long nights, and…read moreendless dance performances, I have found a second home. The teachers there have taught me to push to my full potential and they never let me rest, because they know I can keep going. Vicki's has given me such a good experience and I hope it never ends. Vicki is such a kind person, and just welcomes you with open arms. There is no discrimination and there is so much diversity. Being in Vicki's has taught me to work hard for what I want, and has made me such a strong young lady!!! Keep welcoming us all Vicki!!! You have done such a good job. I would recommend this school to whoever it is!! Pursue your dreams with Vicki's!!!!!!

I enjoyed my time taking classes here but there was a few stand out issues I had. I took the…read morebeginner ballet class with Stephanie. She was a very blunt teacher. Immediately I knew this was a very serious class. In the beginner level here, they expect you to understand every basic position and movement. The way they design the classes is very confusing if you are new to the studio. I should have been in the absolute beginner ballet class but they rarely offer this class month to month. There is also basic beginner which is a level above absolute beginner and level below beginner. See what I mean? why are we call the classes such similar names. Yes they include descriptions, but I feel anyone new to the studio would be confused. I could tell since a lot of people in my class did feel out of place and under trained! Will I come back? I wanted to, but like I said, they rarely offer the absolute beginner and after my class with Stephanie I lost my confidence to jump into it after so many years off.

Our experience with Joffrey summer intensive NYC was sadly disappointing, and I'm sad to say the…read moreresponse I got from the program director was unsatisfactory, and basically called my child an outright liar. My daughter attended Joffrey during the heat wave in NYC, and was placed at Pearl Studios. Unfortunately, the AC in their room was out the entire week. She was able to leave class and cool off in the common areas, but this meant that she missed instructional time. The director says there were no issues, even though they had 4 fans in the classroom, handed out ice packs to the kids, and apologized during the week for the AC issues. The kids in other rooms claimed they were freezing, but the kids in my child's room were having to gather around ac vents in the hallway to cool off. Furthermore, the food is practically inedible if you buy the meal plan. We had heard about this from other people who's kids had stayed in the dorms, but I didn't quite believe it until we experienced it ourselves. I know everyone from Pearl to Joffrey is trying to cover their butts by saying there were no issues, but I'm here to tell you there were. I gave them a 3-star rating because my daughter did really like the teachers and RAs, and she would have loved the classes so much more had she not been on the brink of heat stroke. The dorms were clean and new, and she made some new friends. Plus she loved being in NYC, with the freedom to explore on her own with her roommates. So it wasn't all bad, but as I've watched her friends at other intensives over the summer, I've realized there are programs that are run so much better elsewhere.

With a legacy of famous artists, this art school seems like a great place to study and take art…read moreclasses and be part of an art student community. Passed by this on my way from Columbus circle, and I plan on coming back to try an art class. They have evening and part time schedule of classes, from figure drawing, sculpting, painting, illustration, so there are a lot of options to choose from. Nice historical looking building from the outside.

The Art Students League will always have a special place in my heart. I can't speak to how they are…read morecurrently but I attended from 2015-2019 and made many friends here, and it was a great environment to create, whether I was learning wood sculpture or refining my vision as a painter. Most of the instructors were wonderful, offering guidance when I asked and space when I needed it. It is very reasonably priced and remains a true NYC institution. The only instructor I would caution against is Pat Lipsky. I found her conceited and negative, even spiteful at times. If your aesthetics do not align with Immanuel Kant or Clement Greenberg, you may not feel welcome in her class. After she asked me to help set up her studio for a visiting curator, I left the class. From that point on, she refused to acknowledge me when we crossed paths. Still, the overall experience was deeply meaningful. I am grateful for the time I spent here and the ways it shaped my work and friendships.

I took a few classes here and the environment was really chill and fun! Danced a of all levels and…read moresome who just wanted to take the class for fun where there. The teacher was very nice and encouraging when doing moves and made me feel like yeah I can do it!! A great experience that anyone should try. The price point was very affordable as well.

Love love love love loveee! I've been coming here since last December and I kid you not, if you are…read morelooking for pole studios with beautiful lighting, bathrooms within the same space (without use of keys or stepping out), feeling of warmth and encouragement, LGBTQ+ friendly, as well as a beautiful space; look no further. This is the place to be. They offer first time specials for those who would like to try out a class and tons of different classes to improve your skills on not only pole, but spin pole, heels and movement. Flexibility and conditioning are such essential classes, I'm looking forward to improving!

The ballet class leaves something to be desired. But maybe that's because I never loved Ballet…read morepersay. The sprung-floor, hand made by the owners, however is awesome. Newly painted over the summer, I hear. And they rent space to Movement Research, a great contemporary avant garde association, you could say of artists. I would love to see some improvisation or modern dance up in this place!

A wonderful warm & accomplished school. Students get both a genuinely supportive atmosphere that…read moretakes the whole person into account & top rate performance opportunities - a very rare combination!

I would like to start by saying everyone who assisted me in the studio was helpful and polite. The…read morevoice and movement professors, John and especially Onye, were encouraging and friendly. However, as the name on the door is Terry Knickerbocker, my rating is one because I can't give zero. Numerous extremely uncomfortable episodes happened during the time I was there. In some of these episodes, Terry made extremely disrespectful comments about a specific young black student. In my case, because I'm big and muscular, all the criticism was focused on my appearance and how bad my acting was, comparing me to Vin Diesel. I know the intention was to offend me, but thinking about it, Vin Diesel is at least actually acting and not coaching actors. I can't speak for other people or other classes, but as I read on the website that people from minorities have had problems in the studio in the past, there's a good chance this isn't an isolated case. Terry often demands reverential treatment but treats it rudely and impersonally. He demands punctuality but finishes class 40 minutes later. He demands that you answer his comments ( because he doesn't like feeling like an ATM) but interrupts you when you try to express yourself, and especially, like every narcissist, he will shut you down if you disagree with anything or point out any contradictions in the feedback he has given, which happens constantly because In one class he will tell you to be sweeter. On the other, he will complain that you are being too sweet. An art environment, especially for beginners, should be more encouraging, inclusive, and, why not, fun! But Terry seems to have a personal interest in making everything extremely uncomfortable, oppressive, and frightening. Terry has interests other than making the beginning student grow, as he says, "I don't like teaching, but my name is on the door." What he forgets and should be a priority is that the name on the card that keeps his studio open is that of the student. I'm still shocked at how despicable some interactions were, but deep down, I understand that all this sadism comes from a deep resentment for not having been able to have a career as an actor. But even understanding the source, I don't think it's fair that because of his inability to be an actor, he tries to kill the spirit of those starting out and still having a chance to realy make art. I understand that some people will say something different and even publicly defend Terry, most artists, especially actors and actresses, have deep insecurity and seek recognition from this type of sadistic figure or are just afraid of losing opportunities by criticizing a figure who, for them, is a gatekeeper, but, If you want to know what people there really think, ask someone personally. For me, being a veteran, having been born in the projects, the son of a black man, and an immigrant, especially as an artist who creates his own opportunities and directs his own films in his own country I don't need to kiss anyone's ring and I don't need to lie about how disrespectful, uncomfortable and counterproductive my time in Terry's class was. In short, I have never dealt with a more toxic and narcissistic person in my life.

Fantastic studio! Such a great experience and dedication to your needs. Will definitely recommend…read moreto my friends and family!