The Theatre Lab's Annual Cabaret Benefit Dinner + Auction
Mark your calendars — our most spectacular event of the year returns this fall! Check back soon for more updates
Sunday, November 8, 2026
The Ritz-Carlton Washington
The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts presents our annual Cabaret Benefit Dinner + Auction on the evening of Sunday, November 8, 2026 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.
Tickets
Individual tickets to the Cabaret Benefit are $350. A total of $275 of your ticket purchase is tax-deductible.
Become a Sponsor
Consider becoming an official sponsor of the 2026 Cabaret Benefit! Sponsoring our benefit provides vital support for our arts education programs, scholarship fund, workforce development initiative, and more. Learn more about the exclusive benefits you’ll receive for your support at the event portal.
Donate an Auction Item
Our Cabaret Benefit features one of the biggest silent live auctions in DC—and you can be a part of it! Learn how to donate an auction item at the event portal.
Volunteer
Want to participate in behind-the-scenes magic at Cabaret Benefit and earn class credit? Join our volunteering team! Volunteer shifts will be focused on two main days:
Benefit Preparation: Saturday, November 7 at The Theatre Lab (900 Mass Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Event Night: Sunday, November 8 at The Ritz-Carlton (1150 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20037)
Specific shifts and timing will be shared closer to the event. Volunteers will receive meals and $20 class credit per hour. This is a fun and engaging opportunity to be part of an unforgettable evening at one of DC’s classiest hotels while supporting the work we do all year round.
Come back soon for details on signing up!
Questions
For general questions about this year’s Cabaret Benefit, or questions about the silent auction, contact Bryce Sulecki at bryce@theatrelab.org.
For questions about tickets and sponsorships, contact Terah Herman-Saldaña, Development Manager, at development@theatrelab.org.
For questions about volunteering, contact Bryanda Minix at bryanda@theatrelab.org.
For questions about press and media attendance, contact Sam Fructuoso, Marketing & Communications Manager, at marketing@theatrelab.org.