Taught after school and on the weekends, our school year drama classes for kids are designed for students of all ages and experience levels—all led by professional, supportive faculty. Children as young as PreK3 can enjoy fun, camp-like experiences in our creative play classes, or learn and perform Shakespeare in an engaging, structured environment. Older kids and teens can study under prolific DC professionals and hone more advanced skills like intensive scene study, acting for film and TV, preparing for college auditions, and more.
We believe that young artists, whether new to the craft or brimming with experience, deserve a place where they can be challenged. A place where they can develop superior theatre skills while learning to take artistic risks, explore new creative paths, and have fun doing it! Our school year classes meet students wherever they are and give them the tools to take their artistry to the next level.
Upcoming Youth & Teen Classes
Our Fall Youth Classes are now underway! Our next session will begin in February 2026, with full class listings announced at the end of 2025.
We offer weekend and after-school classes for students from PreK3 through high school, with options in musical theatre, improvisation, performance, creative play, storytelling, dance, and more.
Classes meet once a week for 9 to 12 weeks.
- Weekday and Saturday classes take place at The Theatre Lab’s main campus (900 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC).
- Sunday classes are held at our satellite location at The VIVA School of Dance (1923 Vermont Ave NW).
Below is the Fall 2025 class schedule. Registration is closed for this session, but this gives you an idea of what a typical semester looks like:
- PreK3–PreK4 — Creative Play: Confident Kids! (Saturday morning)
- Kindergarten–2nd Grade — Creative Dramatics: Magic and Make-Believe (Saturday afternoon)
- 1st–2nd Grade — Improv for Kids (Sunday afternoon)
- 2nd–4th Grade — Young Actors’ Collective, Jr. (Performance-based program, Wednesday afternoon)
- 3rd–5th Grade — Broadway Pop Dance (Sunday morning)
- 3rd–5th Grade — Actor’s Toolbox: Greek Mythology (Sunday afternoon)
- 4th–6th Grade — Young Actors’ Collective (Performance-based program, Sunday morning)
- 6th–8th Grade — Musical Theatre Workshop: Contemporary Songs & Dance (Tuesday afternoon)
- 6th–8th Grade — No Fear Shakespeare (Sunday afternoon)
- 9th–12th Grade — Beginning TV & Film Acting for Teens (Saturday morning)
- 9th–12th Grade — Acting a Song for Teens (Saturday afternoon)
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Faculty
At The Theatre Lab, our young students learn from some of the most accomplished creative professionals in the region. Our faculty includes award-winning actors, writers, producers, and directors whose work has been seen on the stages of major regional theaters, as well as in film, television, and video games. Many of our instructors also teach at top performing arts programs, bringing both a deep expertise in the arts and a commitment to meeting every child exactly where they are, regardless of experience. With small class sizes and individualized attention, our faculty builds student’s artistic skills while nurturing each child’s creative expression and confidence in a fun, dynamic, supportive environment.
Browse Youth FacultyClass Size & Age Ranges
Our youth classes are divided into groups based on the grade that the student is entering in the fall. We place all children with their peers based on grade, regardless of prior theatre experience. Our theatre programming is a very social experience, and we want to ensure students learn with a developmentally appropriate group. We keep our classes small, and group age ranges narrowly, in order to provide a challenging, engaging, and age-appropriate curriculum.
Financial Aid
At The Theatre Lab, we believe theatre education should be accessible to all. More than a third of all participants in our youth programs receive full or substantial scholarships.
Apply for Financial AidClass 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 our class policies before registering.
Age/Grade Policy: All participants should be registered only for programs listed for their grade level. We understand that skill and experience levels vary, however students are required to register for their age-appropriate programming.
Read Youth Class PoliciesQuestions
For questions about youth classes, please contact Terah Herman-Saldaña, Director of Youth Programs, at terah@theatrelab.org.