Rent the James and Martha Duffy Performance Space, a 3600 square foot, wheelchair accessible, column-free dance studio located on the top floor of the Dance Center, for your performance. The space features a repertory light plot specifically designed for dance, a grid-mounted six speaker sound system with subwoofer, a triple-basket weave sprung sub floor, covered with a Marley-type PVC dance floor, a small backstage area, dedicated bathrooms on the same floor, and a 5th floor lobby area overlooking downtown Brooklyn. The space also includes portable ballet barres, and a Steinway grand piano.

A private reception for up to 60 people can be added in the 4th Floor Lounge and Terrace for an additional fee.

THEATER SETUP

The James and Martha Duffy Performance Space can be converted into a 3-wing floor-level modified proscenium theater that includes audience risers with up to 166 seats, three wings and lighting booms each on stage left and stage right, a cyclorama, and rear black traveler to cover the cyclorama. The exact number of audience seats are determined per production as chairs may need to be removed for a tech table, videographer, photographer, wheelchair seating, or a music pit.

The Theater Setup is available on specific performance weekends during the year. Renters must book both days each weekend with Sundays available upon request. Available Spring 2025 weekends are below:

• Fri 2/21 + Sat 2/22*
• Fri 2/28 + Sat 3/1*
• Fri 3/14 + Sat 3/15*
• Fri 3/21 + Sat 3/22
• Fri 5/9 + Sat 5/10*
• Sat 5/17*

*Additional technical rehearsal time available Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:30pm the week of these performance dates.

Theater Setup Pricing

Prices start at $4,015/weekend or $3,575/weekend for Nonprofits.

• Includes 6:00pm-10:00pm Friday and Saturday for set up, performance(s), and strike.
• Additional technical rehearsal time can be added based on availability at $300/hr ($250 for Nonprofits). 3:00pm-6:00pm on Saturdays is regularly available.
• Additional fees may be added for resources, receptions, additional space, and Sunday bookings.

FLOOR SEATING SETUP

The James and Martha Duffy Performance Space can be outfitted with up to 100 folding chairs in a proscenium, thrust, or custom arrangement, allowing for greater flexibility while still offering full use of the repertory light plot, the grid-mounted sound system, and the additional ancillary spaces. This set up is offered in our space year-round on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Floor Seating Pricing

All Floor Seating Setup performances also include a $100 setup fee.

MARK MORRIS DANCE CENTER 

Located in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, the Dance Center can easily be reached by public transportation and private vehicles. Directions and additional details regarding safety and accessibility can be found here.  

The James and Martha Duffy Performance Space is a wheelchair accessible venue that includes ramps, an elevator, and bathrooms on all floors. All visitors enter the Dance Center through the main entrance at 3 Lafayette Avenue, which is on Lafayette Avenue between Ashland Place and Rockwell Place.  

BOX OFFICE/TICKET SALES 

Renters control and manage all box office sales, personnel, and ticket pricing. MMDG does not receive any portion of ticket sales. Renters are required to provide a box office manager and an event point of contact during all performances. 

MMDG can provide tables and chairs for the box office, which will be set up in the 5th floor lobby. The box office is expected to open at least 30 minutes prior to the performance time. Guests who arrive prior to the opening of the box office will be allowed to wait in the ground floor lobby of the Dance Center.  

Renters are expected to ask for specific requests for accommodations from ticket buyers in advance and relay that information to MMDG. Renters must also cap tickets to the agreed upon capacity with MMDG and must track attendance at each performance.  

REHEARSAL SPACE 

MMDG’s nine fully-equipped dance studios, including the James and Martha Duffy Performance Space, can be rented for rehearsals leading up to a performance rental.  Subsidized and non-profit rates are available to qualifying artists and organizations. Performance space renters can direct inquiries to their event point of contact.  

PERFORMANCE RENTAL PACKAGE 

All performance rentals for the James and Martha Duffy Performance Space include: 

• 3600 sq ft James and Martha Duffy Performance Space (~180-unit repertory light plot, 4 speaker/1 subwoofer sound system)

• Access to 5th floor lobby, terrace, backstage storage/production area, 4th Floor Employee Lounge 
• Ion Xe 20 light board (light designer required for use) 
• Mackie 1642-VLZ Pro audio mixer (audio engineer required for use) 
• Behringer X32 Compact audio mixer (available for extra fee, audio engineer required for use) 
• Up to four wireless radio headsets for tech team 

• Table and 2 chairs for box office
• Access to Steinway Grand Piano 
• An MMDG Event Assistant to be point person for needs during the event 
• An MMDG House Assistant to help manage audience during the performance(s). 

Additional resources (microphones, music stands, etc.) may be available for an additional fee. 

The Dance Center has several ancillary event spaces that can function as pre or post show reception space. Additional fees apply.   

A 25% deposit and a signed rental agreement are required to hold dates. The remaining balance is required 30 days prior to the performance date. If an event is canceled within 30 days of the scheduled date, the full rental fee is forfeited. 

If you are interested in using Duffy for a studio showing, please see our general rental rates page.

Looking for space for a different type of event? A gala? A film showing? We are happy to discuss possibilities and custom event packages. Please reach out to us using our space request form. 

INSURANCE 

Renters must obtain and keep in full force during the term of the agreement, at its own cost, workers compensation insurance affording coverage under the Workers Compensation laws of New York, and a comprehensive liability policy with bodily injury limits of at least $1,000,000 (one million dollars). Renters must provide proof of insurance to MMDG, listing Discalced, Inc. dba Mark Morris Dance Group as an additional insured on the policy, no less than one week prior to the rental period.  

MMDG grants permission to serve food and alcohol at pre or post show receptions on a case-by-case basis. If approval is granted to serve alcohol, liquor liability coverage must be included on insurance policies and evidence of liquor liability must be provided on the certificate of insurance. While alcohol may be served with this coverage, it cannot be sold. Renters are responsible for making sure that alcohol is only being served to persons of legal drinking age.