The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts

The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts đź”— Links: https://linktr.ee/theatrelabdc

DC's largest independent drama school. Transforming lives through theatre education since 1992. Call for scheduling.

Founded in 1992, The Theatre Lab is Washington, D.C.'s largest and most comprehensive independent, nonprofit school for the dramatic arts. Our mission is to transform lives through theatre. We work to make the real-life benefits of theatre training accessible to all regardless of age, income, or experience level. Through our courses, camps, and programs, The Theatre Lab enrolls over 1,500 kids, te

ens, and adults a year. Offerings target beginners and veterans alike through a wide range of classes designed to fit busy schedules-summer camps for kids, Saturday acting classes for teens, acting or playwriting classes for rookies, public speaking for non-theatre professionals. For those 18 and older preparing for a theatre career, our intensive, year-long Honors Acting Conservatory is the closest thing to graduate-level training students can get without having to quit a job to attend school full-time.

Tomorrow evening, we celebrate Washington DC's emerging technical theatre talent. Join us at Atlas Performing Arts Cente...
09/01/2026

Tomorrow evening, we celebrate Washington DC's emerging technical theatre talent. Join us at Atlas Performing Arts Center for the graduation ceremony of the AICA Class of 2026! Reserve free seats at atlasarts.org.

Launched in 2023, the Arts Institute for Creative Advancement (AICA) is a paid‍ apprenticeship program that provides young adults ages 18-25 who have faced obstacles to livable wage employment with the skills, experience, and support to thrive as professionals in technical theatre and other live entertainment.

The AICA is a collective impact initiative by the DC Arts Education Alliance, co-led by The Theatre Lab, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, and Life Pieces To Masterpieces. Learn more at https://www.dcartsedalliance.org/aica.

Photo by Ryan Maxwell Photography

Open Mic Nights at the The Theatre Lab are in full swing! Our next one is on Friday, September 18. đź”— Link in bio to sign...
08/30/2026

Open Mic Nights at the The Theatre Lab are in full swing! Our next one is on Friday, September 18. đź”— Link in bio to sign up to perform or reserve seats. We recommend signing up in advance if you want to perform, as spots fill up fast!

Photos by Christopher Creese / CreeseWorks

Our fall school year classes are here! This session features engaging new classes like Musical Theatre: Song and Dance a...
08/30/2026

Our fall school year classes are here! This session features engaging new classes like Musical Theatre: Song and Dance and Intro to Costumes and Stage Makeup, as well as the return of our popular Young Actors' Collective! Spots fill quickly, so register now! đź”— Link in bio to browse all classes.

Thank you to all from the DC theatre industry who came to The Theatre Lab for this year’s AICA Portfolio Showcase! This ...
08/29/2026

Thank you to all from the DC theatre industry who came to The Theatre Lab for this year’s AICA Portfolio Showcase! This event was a milestone in our apprentices' careers, and their passion is a reminder of why the future of the arts is so bright in DC. If you're interested in hiring our apprentices, contact Natalie Pertz, AICA Program Director, at [email protected] to meet the next generation of technical theatre talent.

Join us this Wednesday, September 2nd for the Class of 2026's graduation ceremony at Atlas Performing Arts Center as they launch their careers in technical theatre. Reserve seats at atlasarts.org or the link in our bio.

Want to get paid to learn and work in technical theatre? Visit dcartsedalliance.org/aica for more information on applying to the AICA's Class of 2027. Applications due September 30.

Photos by Christopher Creese / CreeseWorks

Last Friday's Open Mic Night packed the house!! Nights like these are proof of why DC's arts community is so special. Ou...
08/29/2026

Last Friday's Open Mic Night packed the house!! Nights like these are proof of why DC's arts community is so special. Our next Open Mic Night is September 18, just a few weeks away. đź”— Link in bio to sign up to perform or reserve seats!

Free admission. Ages 15+. We welcome performances of all kinds:

* Vocal performances (accompanist provided!)
* Spoken word and original poetry
* Monologues
* Standup comedy
* Original music

We're celebrating another summer for the history books: 600+ campers, 15+ performances, and $175,000+ in need-based scho...
08/28/2026

We're celebrating another summer for the history books: 600+ campers, 15+ performances, and $175,000+ in need-based scholarships awarded through our Send a Kid to Camp initiative. Thank you to every person in our community who made this another record-breaking summer at The Theatre Lab!

As summer winds down, our fall is ramping up. Link in bio for our upcoming events.

Submit a video audition by August 24 for this exciting new offering at The Theatre Lab—this advanced class is designed f...
08/18/2026

Submit a video audition by August 24 for this exciting new offering at The Theatre Lab—this advanced class is designed for serious, experienced students who are ready to take their musical theatre performance to the next level.

Students will train under Sherri L. Edelen, a Helen Hayes Award-winning DC theatre performer, director, and teacher with over 25 years of credits across countless stages in the Washington region, including The Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, Arena Stage, Olney Theatre Center, Ford's Theatre, and many more.

đź”— Link in bio to learn more and apply.

Financial aid is available for all adult classes. We strive to offer as much need-based tuition reduction as possible to ensure arts education remains accessible to all. Applications available on our website.

Photo 1 by Ryan Maxwell Photography
Photo 2 of Sherri L. Edelen as Rose in Gyspy at Signature Theatre by Teresa Wood

Do you hire or staff technical theatre talent for your organization? Join us for the 2026 AICA Portfolio Showcase—our an...
08/17/2026

Do you hire or staff technical theatre talent for your organization? Join us for the 2026 AICA Portfolio Showcase—our annual spotlight on the next generation of theatre technicians, and your opportunity to meet and recruit from a hire-ready cohort trained in lighting, audio, carpentry, scenic painting, props, costuming, stage management, and more.

🗓️ Date & Time: Wednesday, August 26 at 6:00 PM
đź“Ť Location: The Theatre Lab (900 Massachusetts Ave NW)
🎟️ Tickets: Free Admission (🔗 Link in bio to learn more and RSVP!)

Launched in 2023, the Arts Institute for Creative Advancement (AICA) is a year-long paid apprenticeship program that seeks to help young adults who have faced barriers to livable wage employment to establish careers as professional theatre technicians. The AICA provides its apprentices with intensive education, hands-on training, and direct work experience to help them prepare for long-term employment in the field. To date, 87% of AICA graduates have worked regularly in the DMV theatre and production scene.

Bravo to this summer's Shakespeare Intensive for Preteens for their vibrant, enchanting performance of THE TEMPEST!Thank...
08/17/2026

Bravo to this summer's Shakespeare Intensive for Preteens for their vibrant, enchanting performance of THE TEMPEST!

Thank you to our wonderful creative team and crew who helped put this epic storm together, as well as to all the family, friends, and loved ones who came to see these campers shine on stage!

Our Shakespeare Intensive for Tweens is a four-week summer camp intensive designed for rising 7th and 8th graders to dive into the vibrant world of William Shakespeare. Guided by skilled theatre educators, campers learn Shakespearean language and character development, hone their theatrical performance skills, and explore costume, set, and prop design. With a focus on fun, learning, and teamwork, this camp offers an unforgettable journey into the joy of Shakespearean theatre.

Photos by Christopher Creese / CreeseWorks

Submit a video audition by August 21 for our popular fall staged reading series! Auditions are beginner-friendly, with s...
08/15/2026

Submit a video audition by August 21 for our popular fall staged reading series! Auditions are beginner-friendly, with substantial roles available for all types of performers. đź”— Link in bio to learn more!

One of The Theatre Lab's signature programs, Acting in a Professional Production takes students through the entire process of learning, rehearsing, and performing staged readings, working alongside professional DC actors and directors.

This year, APP students will take on four great modern plays that explore different ways of "framing" the human experience:

September 29 — Framing the News
THE FRONT PAGE by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur
featuring guest artist Michael Russotto as Walter Burns

October 6 — Framing the Self
SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR by Luigi Pirandello
featuring guest artist Thomas Adrian Simpson as Father

October 13 — Framing the Past
THE HISTORY BOYS by Alan Bennett
featuring guest artist Buzz Mauro as Hector

October 20 — Framing the Art
MUSEUM by Tina Howe
featuring guest artist Kim Schraf as Chloe

Financial aid is available for all adult classes. We strive to offer as much need-based tuition reduction as possible to ensure arts education remains accessible to all.

Address

900 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington D.C., DC
20001

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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