Rent the James and Martha Duffy Performance Space, a 3,600 square foot, wheelchair accessible, column-free dance studio located on the top floor of the Dance Center, for your performance. 

The James and Martha Duffy Performance Space can be converted into a 3-wing floor-level modified proscenium theater that includes audience risers with a maximum of 166 seats, all necessary masking and cyclorama, a repertory light plot specifically designed for dance, and a grid-mounted sound system for performance rentals. 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.  

For smaller performances, the performance space can be outfitted with up to 100 folding chairs in multiple arrangements, allowing for greater flexibility while still offering full use of the repertory light plot and the grid-mounted sound system. 

Performance space rentals include access to an adjacent lobby, terrace, bathrooms, and backstage storage/production area as well as access to the Dance Center’s 4th floor Employee Lounge to use as a green room for each event date. 

Our space is unique in that it can be configured in many different ways. We are happy to consider unique configurations of the space upon inquiry.  

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.  

STANDARD PERFORMANCE RENTAL PACKAGE 

The standard performance rental package for the James and Martha Duffy Performance Space includes: 

• 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, projectors, 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.   

STANDARD PERFORMANCE RENTAL PACKAGE PRICING (choose one Setup) 

3-Wing Theater Setup $2,500 (flat setup fee) 

(166 seat audience risers, masking, cyclorama)

Floor Seating Setup $100 (flat setup fee) 

(60 folding chairs, additional chairs available) +$15 per additional rack of 16 chairs 

Technical Rehearsal hours* $200/hour 

Dress Rehearsal and Performance hours** $300/hour  ($250/hour for ≤60 chair setup) 

*All technical rehearsal bookings have a three-hour minimum. 

**All performance bookings have a four-hour minimum.  

Typically, there is availability for  technical rehearsals on Thursday evenings and performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. We are happy to accommodate custom production schedules based on a renter’s needs and space availability. 

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 a using Duffy for a studio showing, please see our rates for informal showings.

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.