Performing Arts, Drama & Theatre Studies trips to New York
Performing Arts, Drama & Theatre Studies trips to New York
Broadway lights and backstage sights
There’s nowhere quite like New York. The energy, the skyline, the buzz – it’s a city that performs on every level. One moment your students are swept up in the magic of a Broadway show, the next they’re in a workshop with industry pros or heading backstage to uncover the secrets of stage and screen. It’s as immersive as it is inspiring.
And it’s not just about what’s happening under the spotlight. Every corner of the city has something to offer. Think iconic landmarks, jaw-dropping views from observation decks, and ferry rides that glide past the Statue of Liberty.
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- Tailored to your group requirements
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- Accommodation selected to suit your group
- Tailored to your group size
- Budgets built around what matters most
- Clear, upfront pricing – plan with confidence
Meet our New York experts
It’s the people behind the scenes who make our trips truly special. Our Tour Designers know New York inside-out and are ready to listen, share ideas, and offer tailored, experience-led advice to make your trip a huge success.
Ready to start planning? Call us or arrange a video appointment online.
Kieren
“My favourite itinerary”
Here’s a little inspiration to get you started…
Georgia
“My top pick of things to see and do”
New York is packed with creative inspiration, but here are a few standout experiences I always recommend for Performing Arts, Drama and Theatre Studies groups:
Watch a Broadway Show
Examples of current shows on offer are: Aladdin, Wicked, Chicago, The Lion King, and Hamilton. There are many more shows/plays on offer not featured. All are subject to availability – so book early for your favourite show!
Broadway Workshops – Ensemble Experience
This workshop is one of the most popular with our groups which is taught by Broadway performers.
Broadway Workshops – Dance Experience
This is the perfect workshops for dance specialists as the students experience many different Broadway dance styles.
Radio City Music Hall Tour
A tour of this iconic building is not to be missed – learn its history and explore the beautiful art deco interiors.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Guided Tour
Students will explore the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera House, Avery Fisher Hall, New York State Theatre, Vivian Beaumont Theatre, and Alice Tully Hall. They will also hear fascinating stories told by engaging tour guides and on occasion, catch a rehearsal in progress.
Empire State Building Observatory
New York’s famous Empire State building soars more than a quarter of a mile above the heart of Manhattan.
RiseNY
RiseNY pairs museum-style galleries with an amusement park-quality ride.
Manhattan TV & Movie Tours
Lights, camera, action! Take an adventure-packed tour through the most filmed city in the world.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
The Statue of Liberty is New York’s most symbolic structure.
Ice Skating in Central Park
The Wollman Rink NYC in Central Park brings a timeless tradition of outdoor ice skating to New York.
Watch a Broadway Show
Examples of current shows on offer are: Aladdin, Wicked, Chicago, The Lion King, and Hamilton. There are many more shows/plays on offer not featured. All are subject to availability – so book early for your favourite show!
Broadway Workshops – Ensemble Experience
This workshop is one of the most popular with our groups which is taught by Broadway performers. Sheet music will be provided for the group who will then work with a cast member and a pianist. The workshop recreates a true Broadway rehearsal with the participants, who learn the choreography, staging and music from the Broadway production that they are seeing (restrictions may apply).
Broadway Workshops – Dance Experience
This is the perfect workshops for dance specialists as the students experience many different Broadway dance styles. It is possible for the session to be taught by a performer from the show that the group will be seeing and feature the shows choreography. Other options for this workshop include a professional dance audition or a specific type of dance (tap, modern, hip hop, etc). Includes time for questions, pictures and autographs.
Radio City Music Hall Tour
A tour round the building will explain the history of the building and show the beautiful art deco interiors. You will learn the secrets of the Great Stage, one of the largest indoor performance stages in the world; the stage’s hydraulic system, and their impressive new technological features. For those thinking of a career in theatre they can give an insight into the behind-the-scenes aspects of what it takes to run Radio City Music Hall.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Guided Tour
Students will explore the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera House, Avery Fisher Hall, New York State Theatre, Vivian Beaumont Theatre, and Alice Tully Hall. They will also hear fascinating stories told by engaging tour guides and on occasion, catch a rehearsal in progress.
Empire State Building Observatory
New York’s famous Empire State building soars more than a quarter of a mile above the heart of Manhattan. Located on the 86th floor, the observatory offers panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion.
RiseNY
“RiseNY pairs museum-style galleries with an amusement park-quality ride.
Begin your adventure with an immersive film by an award-winning documentarian that transitions to an interactive self-guided walkthrough tracing tipping points in history that helped shape Music, Fashion, TV, Theater and more in each dedicated gallery:
Discover the rise of Wall Street and The New York Stock Exchange in the Finance Gallery.
Learn the history of mass media with Telsa’s Coil in the TV/Radio Gallery.
Understand the law of physics through the Otis elevator brake in the Skyline Gallery.
Visual, language and performing arts come to life in the Fashion, Music, Broadway and Film Galleries.
Then, board an extraordinary elevator experience that transports you to a spectacular virtual soaring ride! Feel the rush of wind in your hair as you “fly” over the world’s most stunning skyline.”
Manhattan TV & Movie Tours
Take a journey through the city’s most iconic filming locations, where over 60 spots from your TV shows and movies come to life before your eyes.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
The Statue of Liberty is New York’s most symbolic structure. The Auguste Bartholdi statue was given as a gift from the people of France and stands at 111 feet 6 inches from the toe to the crown. In the base of the statue there is an interesting museum devoted to the statue’s history.
Ice Skating in Central Park
The Wollman Rink NYC in Central Park brings a timeless tradition of outdoor ice skating to New York. Located near the Parkside Avenue/Ocean Avenue entrance to Central Park and providing 26,000 square feet of ice for skaters in the winter. The rink is generally open from early November through March and features a snack bar, skate shop, skate rental and lockers.
Jess R
“My top tips”
Here’s how to make the most out of your Performing Arts trip to New York:
Think like a student
Balance educational value with fun – a good mix keeps students interested rather than overtired or switched off.
Stay close to the action
Central accommodation means less travelling and more time actually enjoying the trip.
Bring in the experts
Local guides or subject specialists add colour, context and confidence.
Georgia
The best places to stay
We’ve tried and tested accommodation across the city to find the options that work brilliantly for school groups – safe, comfortable, and perfectly located.
EVEN Hotel New York
Just moments from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, EVEN Hotel New York offers centrally located accommodation with excellent subway and rail connections.
- En‑suite rooms
- Midtown West location
- Near Penn Station
- Excellent subway access
- On‑site dining facilities
Springhill Suites New York Midtown Manhattan
Near Madison Square Park in Manhattan’s Flatiron area, SpringHill Suites offers modern accommodation with easy access to multiple subway lines.
- En‑suite rooms
- Flatiron district location
- Near Madison Square Park
- Subway access nearby
- On‑site dining facilities
Courtyard by Marriott Midtown East
Close to Grand Central Station, Courtyard by Marriott Midtown East provides modern accommodation with convenient transport links across New York City.
- En‑suite rooms
- Midtown East district
- Close to Grand Central
- Subway access nearby
- On‑site dining facilities
HI New York City Hostel
Located in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, HI New York City Hostel offers centrally placed accommodation close to Central Park, with easy subway access across the city.
- En‑suite or shared‑facility rooms
- Upper West Side location
- Close to Central Park
- Easy access to subway
- Well connected to Midtown and Downtown Manhattan
West Side YMCA
Opposite Central Park near Columbus Circle, the West Side YMCA offers budget‑focused group accommodation with excellent public transport connections.
- Upper West Side location
- Close to Central Park
- Excellent subway access
- Access to Midtown & Downtown Manhattan
- Shared facility rooms
The most popular questions, answered
New York shows students what’s possible. Being immersed in a city where theatre and performance are part of daily life gives learning real weight and relevance. It’s not about chasing glamour, but about helping students see their subject practised with purpose, discipline and passion at the highest level.
Esto designs New York itineraries that connect performance, process and professional context. Students develop deeper critical insight, sharper evaluation skills and a clearer understanding of how theatre functions beyond school. Learning feels grounded, tangible and genuinely motivating.
Students encounter theatre as a working practice, not just finished product. Through attending high quality productions and, where available, workshops or backstage experiences, they gain insight into rehearsal, collaboration and creative decision making. These moments often become powerful reference points back in the classroom.
Accommodation is selected with care, prioritising safety, comfort and access to key theatre districts and transport routes. Having a reliable base helps long, exciting days feel manageable and gives students space to reflect and recharge
Trips include accommodation, transport, and a carefully designed itinerary tailored to your performing arts focus. Planning is deliberate and detailed, ensuring the experience feels ambitious yet calm, with learning always leading the way.
Esto works alongside you as thoughtful tour designers, shaping trips that reflect your students’ aspirations and your educational goals. Support is steady and reassuring throughout, giving you the confidence to lead boldly while your students engage with one of the world’s most inspiring creative cities.
What people say
“The workshops were excellent, and the studios were great. The dancers particularly loved the Alvin Ailey workshop. I was very happy with everything that Esto did for us.”
Gable Hall School
Message Us
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