NEW YORK - LOCATION GUIDE

ENGLISH, DRAMA & PERFORMING ARTS

Exceptional Tours Expertly Delivered

Our location guide offers you information on the range of visits available in New York. All visits are selected with your subject and the curriculum in mind, along with the most popular choices for sightseeing, culture and leisure in the area.

The information in your location guide has been provided by our partners in New York who have expert on the ground knowledge of the area, combined with advice from education professionals so that the visits and information recommended are the most relevant to meet your learning objectives.

Making Life Easier for You

This location guide is not a catalogue of opening times. Our Tour Experts will design your itinerary with opening times and location in mind so that you can really maximise your time on tour.

Our location guides are designed to give you the information that you really need, including what are the highlights of the visit, location, suitability and educational resources. We’ll give you top tips like when is the best time to go, dress code and extra local knowledge.

Peace of Mind

So that you don’t need to carry additional money around with you we will state in your initial quote letter, which visits are included within your inclusive tour price and if there is anything that can’t be pre-paid we will advise you of the entrance fees so that you know how much money to take along.

You also have the added reassurance that, WST is a member of the STF and our featured visits are all covered as part of our externally verified Safety Management System.

BROADWAY THEATRE PRODUCTIONS Give your students an experience to remember by arranging a trip to a Broadway show. They’ll really go home with the ‘WOW’ factor. Here is a range of the most popular shows currently available on Broadway.

Top Tip: Price vary with each show so recommend you budget approx. £45 per paying person to cover the cost of most shows. If you are there on Friday or Saturday then prices will be higher.

Website: www.broadway.com Subway: Times Square – 42nd Street

The Lion King Jersey Boys

Chicago Mamma Mia

Phantom of the Opera Wicked

Annie Matilda

Aladdin

ALADDIN BACKSTAGE TOUR The New Amsterdam Theatre is offering a backstage tour which focuses on the costumes of the show Aladdin. This is a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes on Broadway and times are limited. Contact us for more details.

THEATRE WORKSHOPS Your students can enjoy a tailored workshop with industry professionals. These workshops specialise in a variety of techniques to improve areas of study such as:

Acting methods Audition coaching Character development Choreography Dance Improvisation Song writing Thematic Content Vocal techniques

Popular workshop themes are:

Meet the Artist Meet some of Broadway’s most gifted artists in an intimate setting, where you’ll hear the experiences of a professional actor, director, choreographer, casting director or agent. The artists will discuss the challenges of the business, backstage anecdotes and career choices. 60 minute class

Theatre Games In a playful and fun environment, participants are encouraged to explore spontaneity, impulse, freedom, imagination and creativity with acting exercises and theatre games often used in professional rehearsals. 60 minute class

Enter Acting This workshop is building trust in one’s talent, finding the truth of the moment and develops a whole actor by using the imagination. 90 minute class

Quick Wits This introduction to the art of improvisation uses topical issues to build tolls in flexibility, concentration and spontaneity, while strengthening confidence and encouraging fun and humour. 90 minute class

Wanted: Experienced Actor A casting director discusses being seen, how to market the working actor and what it takes to get the job. 60 minute class

Let’s Get Technical A Broadway stage manager or set designer discusses the technical execution of a director’s vision and the collaborative process of lighting and designing a set for a production. 60 minute class

Stage Combat A thrilling workshop. Designed to give you tools on collaboration and safety. You will be guided by a highly experienced professional on the skills of choreographing a fight. 90 minute class

Make Up The world of theatre and film is constantly changing with new technology. Make up is also changing, with high definition and new inventive lighting in the theatre, the actor’s face has become more specific. A professional from theatre or film will demonstrate on one or more students new ways to apply make-up. (60 minute class) This is a range of the most popular workshops. If you don’t see a workshop that suits your needs, tell us what you are interested in and we can discuss a tailor made workshop with our providers.

Top Tip: If you are looking for an overview to the theatre the ‘Welcome to Broadway’ workshop is a great introduction. In a 30 minute session before your show, a professional actor will meet you and speak with your group giving a little information on life on Broadway and behind the scenes information on the show you will be seeing. This can take place either at your hotel or at your restaurant before the show.

Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Classes and Tours

This visit is not to be missed for Dance groups in New York particularly as some students will be studying 'Alvin Ailey' as part of their A levels. The Ailey Studios is the largest facility dedicated to dance in New York offering a side range of group options.

Private Group Classes can accommodate up to 50 participants. You can choose the technique you like and select either a 60 minute or 90 minute private classes. ‘Horton’ is by far the most popular technique chosen by student groups, as it is a signature technique of the Ailey organization and each class features live percussion. Hip-Hop and West African are also very popular techniques for groups as well

All techniques offered: Ballet, Horton, Graham-based Modern, Dunham, Jazz (Classical & Theater), Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Salsa, West African*, Afro/Caribbean*, Samba/Afro Brazilian*, Capoeira.

Private Building Tours are approximately 45 -60 minutes long, and showcase the studio and administrative spaces, as well as Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation’s archived artwork and photographs. Groups get an in depth look at the legacy of Alvin Ailey and the history of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The Ailey Studios at the Joan Weil Center for Dance is one of the largest facilities dedicated to dance in the US.

Class Observations allow groups to watch the last 30 minutes of Professional Division Classes. Groups over 10 students will be split among classes during the same time frame. Website: www.alvinailey.org Subway: 57th Street, 7th Ave

METROPOLITAN OPERA ‘The Met’ opera company is located at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts and is the largest classical music organisation in North America. The season runs from September to May and the schedule of performances offers some student rates on key performances throughout this time. Contact us for more details.

Website: www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/index.aspx Subway: 66th Street Lincoln Center

NBC STUDIO TOUR Go behind the scenes of some of the most well known TV shows. You will visit the NBC Sharp Globe Theatre, Broadcast Operations, the Make Up room, and even produce your very own news and weather programme.

Top Tip: The NBC tour is the Rockefeller Plaza which means it’s a perfect visit to do before or after a Top of the Rock tour.

Website: www.nbc studiotour.com/ Subway: 50th Street & Broadway or 51st Street & Lexington, 47th – 50th Street & Rockerfeller Centre

RADIO CITY STAGE DOOR TOUR Explore the theatre, lounges and corridors of the most iconic theatre in New York. You can explore the art deco interiors, learn the secrets of the Great Stage one of the largest indoor performance stages in the world, view the celebrity signed guest book and meet a world famous Radio City Rockette. Top Tip: Radio City is also in the Rockefeller Plaza so you can combine a visit to the NBC Studios and Top of the Rock. Website: www.radiocity.com/ Subway: 50th Street & Broadway or 51st Street & Lexington, 47th – 50th Street & Rockerfeller Centre

TV & MOVIE SITES TOURS Choose from a range of coach or walking tours around the city, taking in locations of well known shows and movies, venues where the stars hang out and even see where your favourite celebrities live. Shows and movies include Friends, Seinfeld, Glee, The Devil Wears Prada, Spiderman, Elf, Hitch and many more. Themed tours include Sex and the City Hotspots, Central Park Movie Sites, Gossip Girl Sites and Sopranos Sites.

Top Tip: If you have a particular show or film you would like to focus on then let us know and we can ask our providers to include this in your tour, provided it was filmed in New York.

Website: www.screentours.com

MUSEUM OF MOVING IMAGE This is the only museum in the US dedicated to the art, history and technology of the moving image in all its forms. The permanent exhibition here will immerse you in the creative and technical process of producing and presenting films, TV shows and digital entertainment as well as the history of the moving image. Tours here can be guided or self guided.

Resources: This museum has a great range of computer based interactive experiences such as creating animations which you save and email back to yourself to keep, voice recording and adding music to scenes.

Top Tip: Workshops for school groups are available in addition to a guided tour. Subjects include animation, making a political campaign advert and video game programming. Spaces are limited so early booking is essential.

Website: www.movingimage.us Subway: Steinway Street

PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA The Paley Center is a cultural institution dedicated to the discussion of the cultural, creative and social significance of television, radio and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Instead of collecting artifacts and memorabilia, the Center comprises of screening rooms where you can view over 120,000 commercials, radio shows and TV shows from their library. Visitors can take a tour around the Center, arrange a group screening based on a key topic, or choose an educational session.

Top Tip: This is an ideal visit for students of Media Studies from age 16+.

Website: www.paleycenter.org Subway: 5th Avenue & 53rd Street

NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY An opportunity to visit the world famous acting and film school. Your students can take a tour of the facilities of the Academy followed by a talk about careers in film.

Top Tip: This visit should last around 90 minutes. As the Film Academy is located in Soho, we recommend after this visit you head off further downtown for a guided tour or to Battery Park to take a cruise around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Website: www.NYFA.edu/ Subway: 14th Street & Union Square

CULTURAL VISITS

MEET AND GREET QUIZ We always arrange a meet and greet for your group on arrival in New York, so a represtentative will meet you at the airport, take you to your coach and transfer to your accommodation to ensure your arrival in New York is a smooth one. If you want to make it fun and really get them ready for the next few days ahead, then we can arrange for your guide to do a fun quiz all about New York city on board your coach and each student will get an I Love NY T-Shirt as a reminder of their trip. Ask us for more details and prices.

GUIDED WALKING TOURS As always the best way to get around and see a city is on foot, especially when looking at it from a historical perspective. We offer a wide choice of walking tours that can be tailored to study needs and interests. The most popular walking tours are :

Midtown Manhattan Walking Tour – including Fifth Avenue, 42nd street, Central Park, Times Square, Empire State Building Downtown Manhattan Walking Tour – Wall Street, New York Stock Exchange, Battery Park, Little Italy, Soho

Top Tip: These walking tours last for 4 hours so be sure to take comfortable walking shoes!

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING No visit to New York is complete without a visit to the top of New York’s most iconic skyscraper.

Top Tip: This is an ideal visit for your first evening. It will help to shake off the jet- lag from your days travelling and the views of New York by night are spectacular.

Website: www.esbnyc.com Subway: 34th Street & Herald Square

GROUND ZERO 9/11 MEMORIAL Located on the World Trade Center site this memorial is a tribute of remembrance and honour to the people killed in the terrorist attacks of 9 September 2001. The main feature of the memorial is the twin reflecting pools which sit within the footprints of where the twin towers once were. The names of every person who died are inscribed into bronze panels edging the pools.

The 9/11 Memorial Museum is due to open in September 2012 and will include an exhibition on the events of 9/11 and the aftermath.

Top Tip: Although it is free to visit all groups must pre-book in advance so please be sure to ask us to make your reservation.

Website: www.911memorial.org Subway: Fulton Street Broadway-Nassau, Park Place or World Trade Center

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ALL ACCESS TOUR An insider’s look at this state of the art arena. You will explore the Knicks and Rangers locker rooms and relive historic moments with the new Garden 366 experience and Defining Moments exhibit.

Website: www.thegarden.com/tours.html Subway: 34th Street Penn Station

HARBOUR CRUISES Get a close up view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island you can choose from two options:

Liberty Cruise - A 1 hour cruise of the harbour. Island Cruise - You can disembark at both Liberty Island and Ellis Island on this hop on hop off cruise

Top Tip: If you are on a tight budget, you could ride the Staten Island ferry. Its free and goes past the Statue of Liberty so you can pick up some great photos. Subway: South Ferry

SPORTING EVENTS Subject to availability your group can attend a sporting event in and around the city. If you ask us early enough we can look at what is available with all the different New York teams for something to suit your budget.

TOP OF THE ROCK The observation desk at the top of the Rockefeller Center provides a unique 360 degree view of New York, including the Empire State Building.

Top Tip: Top of the Rock has interactive History and Geography exhibits and downloadable worksheets. Subway: 47th – 50th Street & Rockerfeller Centre

NEW YORK’S ART GALLERIES:

The Metropolitan Museum One of the largest art galleries in the world, located on Fifth Avenue next to Central Park. Closed on Mondays.

Website: www.metmuseum.org Subway: 86th Street

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Often seen as one the most influential museums of modern art, the MoMA offers a collection of both modern and contemporary art. It is centrally located between 5th and 6th Avenues. Closed on Tuesdays. Website: www.moma.org Subway: 5th Avenue and 53rd Street

The Guggenheim The Guggenheim is visited not just for its exhibitions of impressionist, post- impressionist, early modern and contemporary art, but also its iconic building which is known as one the 20ths Century’s important architectural landmarks. The museum is located on the exclusive Upper East Side. Closed on Thursdays.

Website: www.guggenheim.org Subway: 86th Street

Top Tip: If you buy a New York City Pass, entrance to these museums is included.

SHOPPING A trip to New York is not complete without a trip to world famous shops and department stores. Shops are open 7 days a week in New York, usually from 10.00 until 7.00pm on Monday to Saturday and 11 until 6.00 pm on Sunday. Department stores tend to stay open a little later.

Fifth Avenue Some of New York’s best known shops can be found here including FAO Schwarz, Apple Store, Abercrombie & Fitch and Saks

Bloomingdales Located close to Fifth Avenue, a little brown bag from Bloomingdales is an iconic souvenir from a trip to New York Subway: 59th Street & Lexington Avenue

Macy’s The largest department store in New York Subway: 7th Avenue

Century 21 A bargain hunters paradise, located close to Ground Zero

South Street Seaport Lower Manhattan’s eastside shopping destination that offers a distinct mix of shops, restaurants and cafés. Subway: Chambers Street

SPORTING EVENTS Subject to availability your group can attend a sporting event in and around the city. If you ask us early enough we can look at what is available with all the different New York teams for something to suit your budget.

RESTAURANTS We can arrange evening meals in restaurants in the city with options to suit all tastes. Our most popular choices are:

Planet Hollywood Hard Rock Café Bubba Gump Shrimp Buca Di Bepo Dave & Busters B Smiths Bowlmor – bowling and dining Italian Restaurants Chinese Restaurants