The Theatre Lab's Annual Cabaret Benefit Dinner + Auction
Welcome to our biggest fundraiser of the year—and a spectacular celebration of the power of theatre to transform lives and communities.
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.
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 nearly 35 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 an elegant 3-course dinner, a live auction, and spectacular live performances, all hosted by emcees Deb Gottesman and Buzz Mauro.
Click the button below to access our official event portal for the Cabaret Benefit.
2026 Cabaret Benefit 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. Alex has also served on the advisory boards of multiple performing arts organizations, such as the Thomas Circle Singers (Washingtonians of the Year), Liz Lerman Dance Exchange (MacArthur Foundation Award), and GAYLAW (now LGBT Bar Ass’n of DC). Alongside his extensive contributions to the cultural sector, Alex is also a full-time attorney.
Please join us in celebrating this remarkable advocate and community leader!
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.
As of October 17, 2026, volunteer sign-ups will only be reviewed on a rolling basis as needed. For questions, send a message to Bryanda Minix at bryanda@theatrelab.org.
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 Director, at marketing@theatrelab.org.