Adult Classes

Named by Backstage as one of the top acting programs in Washington DC, we offer top-tier training in acting, musical theatre, film and television, voiceover, playwriting, directing, and more—all taught by experienced professionals in a dynamic, supportive environment. Classes are designed to fit all skills, experience levels, and schedules. Each session of adult classes features a mix of beginner, advanced, in-person, online, weeknight, and weekend classes.

Upcoming Adult Classes

Classes for our early fall session start as soon as September 9. Click below to enroll today!

Faculty

The Theatre Lab’s faculty includes some of the most prolific and experienced creative professionals across the DMV region. Our instructors are acclaimed actors, writers, producers, and directors whose work spans award-winning stage productions at major regional theaters, as well as notable titles in film, television, and video games. Many are alumni, educators, and lecturers from top performing arts programs such as NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and Juilliard, bringing both deep industry expertise and critical skill-building to Theatre Lab curriculum.

Class Size

Our small class sizes are a crucial part of our training experience. Classes at The Theatre Lab are kept intentionally small—typically just 6 to 15 students—creating an unparalleled teacher-to-student ratio that ensures every person receives extensive personalized feedback and meaningful collaboration with other students. We are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable to take artistic risks and build lasting community.

Performance-Based Courses

Some of The Theatre Lab’s most popular adult training opportunities are our performance-based courses, designed to build artistic skills through participation in a full-scale public production. Under the guidance of professional directors, students enjoy extensive training and the exhilaration of performing before a live audience. Courses include:

• Creating a Role: Students prepare a complex role from the beginning of a rehearsal process through the moment of performance. Past productions include Shakespeare in Love, Radium Girls, Arcadia, and King Lear.
• Creating a Musical Role: Students experience the entire process of creating, rehearsing, and performing a role in a major musical. Past productions include Man of La Mancha, Anastasia, As You Like It, and Blood Brothers.
• Acting in a Professional Production: Students learn how to perform for the unique demands of a staged reading, working alongside professional DC directors and actors. This course explores titles within a compelling, tightly focused theme each session, such as: plays of political resistance, testimonial theatre, and plays that have later been adapted into musicals.

Admission to these courses is typically by application and video audition.

Anyone Can Act

One of our most beloved and popular workshops, Anyone Can Act is a fun, energizing two-hour workshop that teaches participants the fundamentals of acting while having a great time with other people who want to explore their creative side. This workshop is designed to debunk the myth that acting is about innate talent—in reality, acting is a craft that anyone can learn at any age!

Get in on the act! Anyone Can Act is offered monthly. Register here.

Tuition Discounts

Membership: Theatre Lab members enjoy 10% off full-price tuition, as well as discounted tickets to all Theatre Lab performances! (Discount is automatically applied to your account.) Learn more.

Volunteering: Volunteer as an usher with The Theatre Lab, and earn free adult classes and tickets to our shows! Ushers make our performances possible—and they receive a $30 class credit for any individual show worked, and a $150 class credit for any full run of a show worked. Ushers should be prepared to arrive at the venue up to an hour before showtime. To apply, send a brief email to Bryanda Minix at bryanda@theatrelab.org with your name and ushering experience (if any), and we’ll let you know about upcoming opportunities.

Exclusive Discounts: Subscribe to our emails and follow us on social media (@theatrelabdc) to take advantage of exclusive promotions—including early bird discounts for early registrants.

Financial Aid

At The Theatre Lab, we believe that theatre education should be accessible to all. We strive to offer as much need-based financial assistance as possible. Applications are made available when each session’s course catalogue is released.

Class Policies

Refund Policy: For a tuition refund, you must withdraw at least 48 hours before the first class begins. A $40 cancellation fee will apply. Please review class policies before registering.

COVID Policy: Masks are optional. By attending any in-person class at The Theatre Lab, students affirm that they do not have symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 (such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath) that cannot be attributed to another cause, and that they have not recently been exposed to anyone with the disease. We ask that any student who experiences symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 get tested or administer a self-test immediately. Students who test positive for COVID-19 may return to class on the seventh day after receiving their positive test results, but not before.

Questions

For questions about adult classes, please contact Bryce Sulecki, Adult Programs Manager, at bryce@theatrelab.org.

Explore more adult programs at The Theatre Lab

Honors Acting Conservatory
Advanced Musical Theatre Intensive
Life Stories®
Arts Institute for Creative Advancement