Intimate Shakespeare & Chamber Music
NEW PLACE PLAYERS
PRESENTS
SALON
A PARLOR HOUSE FOR BIG IDEAS
In the heart of Park Slope, facing Prospect Park and just steps from the Brooklyn Library and Grand Army Plaza, Casa Duse is a historic parlor townhouse reimagined as an intimate home for performance.
The house takes its name from its original owner, the legendary Italian actress Eleonora Duse (1858–1924). Her presence is still everywhere: in the portraits lining the walls, in the rooms themselves, and in the remarkable traces of theatre and opera history that surround you. Autographed photographs of Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Noël Coward, Charlie Chaplin, Enrico Caruso, Zinka Milanov, Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, and other legends still haunt the place.
It is a place where history feels close — and where new work can feel just as alive.
Through a partnership with New Place Players, Casa Duse has become a gathering place for intimate performances in theatre, music, and dance — often with the boundaries between them delightfully blurred. We present performances, readings, experiments, and encounters with artists throughout the year, mostly on Thursday evenings. With just 40 seats, there is no distance between the audience and the work. You don't simply watch a performance here: you share the room with it.
Our programming brings together emerging artists, established performers, students, and artists from different generations and disciplines. We are interested in work that is adventurous, personal, immediate — and especially work that comes alive in an intimate setting.
Come for the performance. Stay for the conversation.
“It is thrilling to be a part of a magical environment where a historic townhouse parlor is transformed through physical imagination, live music and Shakespeare’s language.”
WHAT’S ON
RESIDENCY
COME MAKE SOMETHING HERE
Casa Duse is home to an ongoing residency opportunity for artists and ensembles working in theatre, music, dance, and interdisciplinary performance. Artists may submit proposals at any time, and selected projects are invited to take over the Salon for a month:
Four performances over four Thursdays
40-seat intimate salon
50% of ticket-sale revenue goes to the artists
Applications accepted year-round (apply at least two months before your desired residency)
Single-evening proposals also welcome (note it in your application)
We are looking for artists with something they want to explore, develop, share, or simply bring into the room. Maybe Casa Duse is the place for it!
GUEST ARTIST GUIDELINES
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM CASA DUSE
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE
• Access to the venue from 11 am to 11 pm.
• Front of House Staff (Host, Usher, Concessions).
• Support on setting up and closing up the space.
• Refreshments for the performance.
• Support on planning your experience at Casa Duse.
PROMOTION
• An event page on Ticket Tailor.
• A dedicated newsletter to our audience (over 1500 recipients).
• A slide in our monthly announcement page.
• A dedicated post the week of the show.
• Links in our Linktree, social media account bios, and website.
GUEST ARTIST REQUIREMENTS
PRE-PRODUCTION
• Fill out your application form completely (see below) and send it at least two months prior to the desired date(s).
• We welcome a direct & transparent communication with the Casa Duse Team.
• Keep in touch with your primary contact and be on the lookout for any questions from our team.
• Discuss or request any technical or logistic issues with the Casa Duse team at least one week in advance of your event.
PERFORMANCE
Taking care of the space is a communal responsibility.
• Keep the space organized and help with the housekeeping.
• Show up early, prepared, and excited.
• Leave the space better than you found it.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT YOUR SHOW
PROMOTION
• Plan ahead and build up your audience.
• Send personal emails to friends, family members, associates, and call boards.
• You’re welcome to create a social media account and invite our account to collaborate; tag us in your posts!
• Provide additional promotional material to enhance our promotional contributions.
• Instagram stories
• Quotes from audiences
• Pictures
THE PERFORMANCE
• Mingle with the crowd, engage with your audience and nourish community building, show them the space!
• Encourage people to donate and sign up for our newsletter (follow as many as possible on social media).
• Bring your own support team depending on the size of your production (a prior discussion with the Casa Duse Staff will be needed).
• Take pictures at the event and share them with us.
APPLY TO OUR PROGRAMMING
Our events are scheduled on Thursdays and occasionally Fridays (depending on demand). Please check date availability before filling out the form below.