The Dramathon

The Theatre Lab’s annual Dramathon is one of Washington DC’s most exciting nights of performance and social impact. Great theatre for a great cause!

Welcome to the Dramathon, brought to you by The Theatre Lab! DC’s one-of-a-kind theatrical extravaganza, the Dramathon brings together some of Washington DC’s best-known actors, directors, playwrights, and theatre enthusiasts for a one-night-only live show of world premiere short plays written for this event.

Part theatrical showcase, part fundraiser, the Dramathon raises tens of thousands of dollars each year for our Send a Kid to Theatre Camp initiative, which provides need-based scholarships for young people to attend The Theatre Lab’s nationally recognized youth summer camps and renowned teen training institutes.

Around 30 volunteer performers—from fellow professional theatre artists to DC theatre enthusiasts—join the stage alongside our star-studded lineup of guest artists each year. Each Dramathon performer fundraises as much money as possible towards youth scholarships (and secure the best role they can in the process)!

The Dramathon In the News

“The DMV is spoiled when it comes to options for great theater, from world-class musical productions on established stages to scrappy underground troupes in rented spaces. Every year, area theatergoers have a one-night only chance to sample the best and the freshest of the scene’s present while contributing to its future: The Theatre Lab’s Dramathon.”
— Washington City Paper (“Acting Is Empathy: The 15th Annual Dramathon Raises Money for Youth Scholarships”)
“’In this moment, the idea of seeding creativity and making the arts a really welcoming place and a place of belonging for everyone — whichever side of the footlights you’re on — is really part of the Theatre Lab’s mission,’ she says. ‘We need community now more than ever.'”
— Theatre Lab Co-Executive Director Deb Gottesman to Metro Weekly (“Theatre Lab’s Dramathon Puts D.C. Talent on the Clock”)

How to Become a Dramathon Performer

Dramathon performers work with and perform alongside DC area directors, actors, and playwrights in a one-of-a-kind theatre experience that raises money for a great cause. All funds from the event benefit our Send a Kid to Theatre Camp campaign, which provides scholarships to children and teens for our renowned summer camps and institutes.

Here’s how it works:

Participants register online and receive an individual donation page.
Participants raise a minimum of $100 by their first deadline. to remain eligible to perform.
After the first deadline, participants raise as much money from friends, family, colleagues and community for a great cause! The more scholarship money they raise, the bigger and better roles they’ll be assigned to play.
Participants don’t stop raising money after being cast! More prizes will be awarded the night of the event.

Want to perform in Dramathon 2027? Sign up for our email updates to be the first to know when registration opens.

About Send a Kid to Theatre Camp

Every year, The Theatre Lab is flooded with financial aid requests for our summer programs. Ongoing economic hardship has caused additional obstacles for many area families who need help providing their children with an inspiring and educational summer. We started the Send a Kid to Camp initiative to ensure we can continue to support our community and give generous scholarships to young people who need it. Learn more here.

Dramathon 2026

On Monday, April 27, The Theatre Lab welcomed a packed house for Dramathon 2026. We are thrilled to share that our community raised over $25,000 for youth theatre scholarships! Together, we made Dramathon 2026 our biggest yet, breaking our own record for the second year in a row.

None of it would have been possible without the generosity of our esteemed guest playwrights, directors, and actors who donated their time and talent; our Dramathon participants who fundraised tirelessly over the last six weeks; and every audience member who showed up in support of the arts.