Summer Teen Training Institutes
For more than three decades, The Theatre Lab has provided award-winning summer youth and teen programs to the Washington community. Each summer, we are the artistic home to more than 550 young people from all over the metropolitan area who take part in our acclaimed acting camps and theatre training institutes.
Philosophy: We take teens seriously. That’s the secret to why our summer institutes are among the best teen theatre programs in DC. We respect the potential of every student and, through intensive training programs culminating in public performances, we commit to developing their artistry —whether they are new to the craft or already on a path to a life in the theatre. And we believe skills can only be developed in a space where students feel a sense of belonging. When you spend a summer at The Theatre Lab, you are guaranteed to find instructors and students who welcome your unique talents and are eager to make meaningful connections, both onstage and off.
“…This production showcases what arts education can achieve.”
Summer 2026
Applications for all Summer 2026 teen institutes are due on March 1, 2026. Program details for all teen training institutes are available on our website. Click the button to access the application form.
An intensive four-week training program in which participants rehearse and perform a full musical production
A challenging four-week acting conservatory for ages 13-19 culminating in a public performance.
Two weeks of skill-building for youth ages 13-19 culminating in a public showcase
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Theatre Lab is by far the kindest artistic environment I’ve ever worked in…. Every day I felt like I was learning something new, and I know for certain that I’ve grown as an actor, as an artist, and as a person.
Application and Admission
Admission to our Teen Institutes is by application and audition. Applicants will be accepted on the basis of their commitment to exploring the acting or musical theatre craft, their willingness to collaborate in a group process of discovery with other young artists, and their ability to handle the demands of the script or musical score. All applicants must complete a written essay expressing their interest in the program.
Due to the limited nature of our enrollment, admission is competitive. You will be contacted shortly after the application deadline to schedule an audition (prepare a musical theatre song for Musical Theatre programs or a monologue for the Acting Institute and Performance Intensive). Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered only if space becomes available.
As always, we will offer need-based full and partial scholarships to ensure that our programs are accessible to students and families experiencing financial hardship. The financial aid application is included in the program application.