RG Community Newsletter ~ November 2026

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!

November is National Gratitude Month - a time to celebrate the people who inspire us, encourage us, and make our journeys a little brighter.

Here at Ripley-Grier, as we approach our 40th anniversary, we're especially grateful for the incredible community that has made RG a part of New York City's artistic landscape since 1987.

In the spirit of giving back, we’re once again proud to host the "No More Starving Artists" Food Drive in partnership with the Episcopal Actors’ Guild, helping performers in NYC who are facing difficult times. When artists support artists, our entire community shines a little brighter.

From our RG family to yours, wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, inspiration, and plenty to be grateful for.

See you at the studios.

Graham McCarty ~ RG Creative Director

RG LOOKS GOOD ON YOU!

Keep an eye out for our NEW Online RG Merch Store. Inspired by the energy, creativity and unstoppable spirit of the hardworking artists & performers in our community.

Ripley-Grier Performance Gear is designed for life in motion.

From the streets of New York City to the rehearsal studio and everywhere in between, take a little piece of RG with you wherever your journey leads.

ONLINE STORE ~ COMING SOON

Please help us fill empty plates this season!

Donate non-perishables to help prevent hunger in the performing arts community. Food and supplies are being collected for The Actors Pantry at all Ripley-Grier Studios locations and will be distributed to NYC actors, dancers, and singers in need.

Most-needed items: canned meat, canned fruit, canned veggies, soups, pasta, rice, granola bars, nuts, beans, peanut butter, toiletries, toilet paper

DONATE TO THE ACTORS PANTRY

Meet EAG's Karen Lehman Foster & Anne Bakan at our 520 8th Ave location (16th Floor lobby) on Monday, Nov. 16th. They'll be happy to answer questions and provide more information about the EAG & the Actors Pantry.

If you are a performer in need, visit ActorsGuild.org

RG 72nd Street: Where It All Began

There's something special about West 72nd Street. Maybe it's the beautiful historic buildings, the neighborhood cafes, or that unmistakable Upper West Side charm. Just steps from Central Park, Strawberry Fields, and the legendary Dakota, this iconic New York City street has long been home to artists and creative spirits. And right in the middle of it all, at 131 West 72nd Street, you'll find a little piece of NYC performing arts history: the original Ripley-Grier Studios.

Our story began in 1987, when we first opened our doors under the name New York Spaces. Since then, we've welcomed generations of performers, including legendary artists, countless Broadway stars, musicians, dancers, teachers, and aspiring talents.

But what makes 72nd Street truly special is the neighborhood feeling that's been part of its personality from day one.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Midtown, there is a distinctly local vibe. It's where neighborhood artists come to create, music teachers share their talents, and young performers discover their passion for the arts.

As Ripley-Grier has grown to multiple locations throughout Manhattan, 72nd Street has remained a special part of our history.

Every NYC success story has to begin somewhere. For us, it all began right here at RG 72nd Street Studios.

Coming Soon: The RG Casting Director's Lounge at RG520 - A dedicated space for casting decisions, creative conversations, meetings and collaboration.

Stay tuned for more details.

RELIEF IN ACTION:

HELP US SUPPORT WCK

World Central Kitchen (WCK) is an International Nonprofit Organization founded by chef José Andrés that provides fresh, nourishing meals to people affected by crises around the world. Working with local cooks and communities, WCK responds rapidly to disasters and humanitarian emergencies while supporting local food systems and economies.

DONATE at any RG Location or click the link below.

Donate Here!

BLUE BOTTLES

What are they, and why do I want one???

Over the years we have collected thousands of dollars for charity just from the sales of these little blue bottles (Available at all RG locations for $1). They've sort of become a "must-have item" (and a quirky little souvenir) among actors, dancers and singers in the NYC Theatre Community.

Currently we are sending all proceeds from the Blue Bottles to World Central Kitchen (WCK) ~ a wonderful organization that provides meals for refugees and displaced people due to man-made or natural disasters. (See ad above for more info)

A special Thanks to Nagahama Japanese Restaurant and JR Asian Fusion (Long Beach, NY) for providing the blue sake bottles for us to repurpose.

* How are you using YOUR Blue Bottle?

Share a photo on Social Media using hashtag #RGbluebottle to be featured in our Instagram stories.

NO MORE STARVING ARTISTS

Episcopal Actors' Guild

For 100 years, the Episcopal Actors' Guild has been helping NYC's professional actors, singers, and dancers keep a roof over their head and put food on the table when times are tough. EAG's Emergency Aid & Relief Program can provide financial grants for rent, utilities, or medical bills. And their Actor's Pantry provides food assistance to performing artists experiencing hunger and food insecurity.

Are you in a position to aid in EAG's efforts?

Donate to the Actors' Pantry

Are you a performer in need of assistance?

Visit ActorsGuild.org for more information

Oh… Happy Autumn!

Clocks back! Eccch! I have mild S.A.D. I get melancholy when I come home from work in the dark. This season I catch an earlier train to get home before dark to avoid depression. Just a little daylight in the sky. It is one reason I enjoy Florida. The Key West sun stays up about an hour later than NY. ( Key West is far west on the East coast of the US).

We have had a truly fantastic Fall so far; sunny days; mild with incredible sunsets. Jeannie and I take our 12 year old beagle, Johnny Depp, walking at sunset. We are lucky to live 50 feet from the dunes and the beach entrance. The sun sets to the West over the ocean. In the distance is the Jersey Shore. We can see the Atlantic Highlands’ twin lighthouses in Jersey as well. It’s cool to spend this time with Jeannie and Johnny.

I have almost healed from a fall on my front steps on 9/27. Nothing broken but major bruising. I’ll be taking an ultrasound test on 11/10 to make sure my heart was not damaged when I fell.

I had a different mishap that week. On Oct. 2, my birthday, I left my phone on the train. It took a week to get it back. What a hassle! After that I had two concurrent colds; a chest cold, (I lost my voice for three days) and, as I was healing, I got a head cold. One month ill. So I went right out and got my flu shot. Take no chances!

Butch is facing health challenges this year. He’ll be happy to head south in a few weeks to recover. We hope to be back north for the December Holidays. It's predicted to be a much milder winter this year.. In Florida we walk and bike; Butch plays Bocce Ball and has a weekly poker game. We work out on our back deck every day with mats and weights. The restaurants in Key West are fantastic and varied, with the focus on seafood and I love that.

As I head into my 80’s I am so grateful that I chose fitness as a career. I am in my 55th year teaching. I do have some ailments but they are manageable. I have lost 8 lbs this past two months and am aiming to lose a total of 30, (that will help my joints).

Being very fortunate in life and now I have support from my family, my son Shayne, my daughter in law, Heather, and my grandkids, Jackson, Ethan, Brooklyn and Griffin . (Three are in college, Griffin is in high school). All went through the Long Beach school system. And, of course, the light of my life (although I don’t tell her often enough) Jeannie, my daughter. So smart, so talented, very confident with really good friends. She travels all over the country. She travels solo to England to meet friends at concerts.. A talented creative soul who loves concerts, movies, Broadway shows and baseball (the goal is to go to every major league stadium).

Follow your dreams, be kind to others, find your passion, work diligently toward your goals. Be supportive of others. Take responsibility at work & in your life. Don’t waste time, make mindful decisions. Be tolerant of other’s dreams. Manifest your destiny. Be a decent human being & be respectful of other species on this planet. Don’t waste precious resources. Find the correct die t& exercise lifestyle: stick with it, rest well. Offer support to others in your life. Forgive folks who came before; they tried to do their best within their fate. Forgive yourself.

Better & Better Patricia Ripley-Grier..

CELEBRATING 55 YEARS TEACHING FITNESS!

Email patripleyny@gmail.com for more information.

Hi everyone!

This month I will have a long awaited break after completely packing my schedule for much of August and all of September and October.

In October I went to my 6th New York Comic Con in a row! I went all 4 days again, going with my friend Roxanna the first 2 days and my friend Rayleene and her husband Lance the second 2 days. I got to meet Matthew Lillard, Stephanie Beatriz, Danny Pudi, Wilson Bethel, and a couple more people! We had a lot of fun for the most part, but Sunday was way too packed compared to previous Sunday’s. Hopefully they won’t sell as many badges next year.

A couple days after comic con I went to Boston to see and meet Dan & Phil during their Hard Launch tour! They were super nice and we took a few pictures with different poses, and they answered my question during the Q&A! This was my first time seeing them live and the show was so funny.

The day after my trip to Boston I started my trip to Columbus, OH for the Twenty One Pilots show at Ohio Stadium. I stayed with a couple friends and we met with some other friends the next day. There were a few events where I was able to hand out some of the photo cards and film strips I created, and I got hundreds of handmade things traded back to me! The day of the show we spent together hanging out outside of the stadium before we had to split up inside since we couldn’t all get seats together during the Ticketmaster war :’). There were 3 stages - the main stage, and a smaller center stage and B stage. I was fortunate to find a seat very close to the center stage where they played a lot of my favorite songs! They played songs from their recent festival tour set list, some old songs they haven’t played in years, and one song they had never played live before. The day after the show we went to a few music video filming locations before saying our goodbyes the following morning. This trip was an incredible experience that I was so happy to share with the friends I’ve made because of this band!

Until next time, Jeannie Ripley-Grier

We are proud to support many wonderful organizations.

World Central Kitchen ~ Broadway Cares ~ Make-A-Wish

Plan International ~ Timothy Hill Ranch ~ The Actor's Fund

Smile Train ~ Wounded Warrior ~ The Broadway League

Episcopal Actors' Guild ~ North Shore Animal League

Join us in supporting these and other helpful organizations.

This year's midterm election will help shape the direction of our country, our communities, and the issues that affect our everyday lives. At a time when so much is at stake, every voice deserves to be heard, and every vote matters.

VETERAN'S DAY

- November 11th -

THANK YOU to the brave men and women who have served our country - and a special THANKS to RG co-founder, Butch Grier, who in 1968 joined the Marines (at 19 years old) and fought in Vietnam.

At Ripley-Grier, we're more than rehearsal studios - we're a creative home base for NYC artists! Through classes, workshops, networking events, exclusive Premiere Membership perks, and our growing Teacher Database, we're building opportunities that help artists connect, collaborate, and move their careers forward.

Wherever you are in your journey, you belong at RG!

RipleyGrierCommunity.com

@RipleyGrierStudios

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