The Barrow Group Theater Company

Producing at The Barrow Group

The Barrow Group (TBG) is a nonprofit New York City theatre company dedicated to producing intimate, actor-driven work that feels immediate, alive, and deeply human.

Since 1986, TBG has produced plays that pair exceptional, spontaneous acting with well-crafted writing that engages social, spiritual, and political questions. Our productions invite audiences into a shared experience—one that prioritizes authenticity, clarity, and human connection over theatrical artifice.

Our Producing Aesthetic

At the heart of TBG’s producing philosophy is a singular approach to performance developed over more than four decades by TBG co-Artistic Directors Seth Barrish and Lee Brock.

TBG productions focus on what characters do, rather than on psychological interpretation or pre-planned emotional choices. By grounding performance in action and event, actors are free to respond truthfully and spontaneously, resulting in work that feels unscripted, immediate, and alive.

Design elements are intentionally simple. Sets, lights, sound, and costumes exist to support the story—not overpower it—allowing audiences to remain fully engaged with the writing and the performances.

The New York Times has praised TBG for its consistently high level of acting and has referred to TBG co-Artistic Directors Seth Barrish and Lee Brock as “actor whisperers.”

What We Produce

TBG produces an annual theatrical season in our new performing arts center, anchored by a 70-seat theatre designed for intimacy and immediacy. The space allows audiences to be in close proximity to the actors, reinforcing the sense that events are unfolding in real time.

Since our founding, TBG has produced over 65 fully staged productions, the majority of them World, U.S., or New York premieres. Our producing choices prioritize:

• Strong storytelling
• Work that thrives in an intimate, actor-centered environment

TBG’s productions have received an Obie Award, Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Award, and multiple New York Times Critics’ Picks.

New Work and Development

New work is central to TBG’s producing mission. Plays often begin their life inside the organization through readings and workshops before moving to full production.

Our Developmental Wing supports this pipeline by offering free opportunities for artists to test and refine work, including:

• In-house readings
• Artist Performance Residencies
• F.A.B. (For, About, and By) Women, dedicated to developing work by women artists

This process has supported the development of plays such as The Tricky Part, All the Rage, Sleepwalk with Me, and numerous World and New York premieres.

Impact

TBG has played a significant role in launching and supporting the careers of many acclaimed artists, including Academy, Tony, Emmy, Obie, and Lucille Lortel Award winners and nominees.

Beyond awards, TBG measures success by audience engagement—moments when viewers forget they are watching a play and instead feel as if they are witnessing real events unfold. This immediacy is the hallmark of a Barrow Group production.