THE COFFEY STREET STUDIO

ARTIST INITIATIVE

a bold new force in New York City’s performing arts landscape, dedicated to the development of new work. Through residencies, lively public conversations, and intimate showings of works-in-progress, CSSAI champions risk-taking experimentation and sparks meaningful connections between artists and audiences.

Each two-week Artist Residency grants artists full, uninterrupted use of the space and the support of a dedicated team with expertise in dramaturgy, design, sound, and media production. With creative and technical resources on hand, artists are encouraged to push boundaries, test new forms, explore and experiment in an environment of possibility, collegiality, and daring.

Public Events That Spark Connection

Performance/Talks cap each residency with an opportunity for resident artists to share their work publicly and engage in conversation with invited guests, including civic and cultural leaders, fellow artists, and audiences in a context of discovery and conviviality. These evenings range from performed selections, interwoven with conversation, to full-length performances of new works in progress. These events serve not just the artists but also engage a broad audience from the neighborhood and across the city with unique experiences in the lively cultural scene of Red Hook, Brooklyn. 

A Growing Legacy of Visionary Artists

Founded by longtime collaborators Andromache Chalfant and Michael Sharkey and energized by the arrival of Michael Sexton and Olivia Mermagen, Coffey Street Studio has evolved into a thriving creative hub. What began as a homegrown series of artistic experiments has now become a formal Initiative with a clear mission: to give artists the time, space, and trust they need to make the work that will shape tomorrow’s theater, dance, music, and performance.

CSSAI TEAM:
Andromache Chalfant, Michael Sharkey, Michael Sexton, & Olivia Mermagen