Of course, the Institute is not only for actors. David Herskovits and Tina Landau are both studying to be directors, and Mary Coleman is studying dramaturgy, a German tradition of theatrical literary managers which Brustein helped bring to America. Riddell says the Institute also expects to begin a program for designers next year and one for playwrights within two years.

The directing students have no mandatory classes, but are expected to work on ART and Institute productions. Herskovits is the assistant director of Gillette, and Landau is the assistant director of Brustein's production of Luigi Pirandello's Right You Are (If You Think You Are). Landau is also directing the Institute's Cabaret.

Many of the students say that the opportunity to work with world class actors and artists like Brustein, Surban, Geidt, Epstein, Raphael, Loui and the new movement coach Lucinda Childs is the Institute's best aspect.

"Some of the most amazing people I've ever worked with in my life are in this building," Schloth says. "Even the janitors here are the best at what they do."

And after two years, when they are finished here, what do they intend to do? Most say they are not sure, though many would like to join the ART.

"Everyone would like that offer," Zamsky says, "but that is quite a few years down the line for everybody." In the meantime, they argue that the voice lessons, monologues and bamboo stick exercises are worth it.