Mark your calendars — the most spectacular event of the year returns this fall!
Sunday, November 8, 2026
The Ritz-Carlton Washington
About the Benefit
The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts is gearing up for its annual Cabaret Benefit Dinner + Auction on the evening of Sunday, November 8 at the elegant downtown Ritz-Carlton, Washington DC. Save the date for our biggest night of the year!
This fun and inspiring event draws together 500 prominent Washingtonians each year, features one of the largest silent live auctions in DC, and provides the greatest source of income for our scholarship fund and groundbreaking Life Stories® program. This year, The Theatre Lab is celebrating 33 years of making a dramatic difference in our community.
Join us from 5-7pm for an enchanting cocktail party and our silent auction, featuring fine dining, artwork, luxurious getaways, and hundreds of unique items. At 7pm, the party continues in the ballroom with a 3-course dinner, a live auction, and spectacular student performances, all hosted by emcees Deb Gottesman and Buzz Mauro.
2026 Cabaret Honoree
This year, we’re thrilled to announce our 2026 Cabaret Honoree: Alex Tang, a highly regarded music director, pianist, and arts educator who has spent decades shaping Washington’s performing arts landscape.
Currently the Principal Pianist for the American Pops Orchestra and Associate Pianist for the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, Alex has collaborated with legendary Broadway icons—including Bernadette Peters and Chita Rivera—and performed in the orchestra pits of major national tours.
As a dedicated, longtime faculty member, music director, and accompanist at The Theatre Lab, he has championed arts education and mentored countless emerging artists in finding their musical voices. Alongside his extensive contributions to the cultural sector, Alex also serves as Assistant General Counsel for the National Science Foundation.
Please join us in celebrating this remarkable advocate and community leader!
Tickets, Sponsorships, and Auction Donations
Click here to purchase tickets, become a sponsor, and donate items to our auction.
Questions
Contact Terah Herman-Saldaña, Development Manager, at development@theatrelab.org or 202-824-0449.
