Life Stories is The Theatre Lab’s award-winning, tuition-free program that provides life-changing opportunities for dramatic self-expression to hundreds of youth and adults each year. Through a proven creative process, participants harness their personal experiences to create original works of theatre, fostering creativity, confidence, and connection. The program empowers individuals to think boldly, communicate effectively, and envision new possibilities for themselves and their communities. Proven to increase self-esteem, reduce feelings of isolation, and strengthen critical-thinking and communication skills, Life Stories offers a powerful platform for authentic storytelling and personal growth.
Fully funded and offered at no cost to schools and social service organizations, Life Stories brings professional teaching artists directly to classrooms and community spaces. Over 8–10 weeks, participants engage in weekly theatre workshops that culminate in a live performance or professionally edited video, showcasing original pieces devised and performed by the students themselves. Class sizes range from small groups of eight to larger cohorts of up to 16 students, ensuring a dynamic and impactful experience. The program is flexible and customizable, adapting to the unique needs, goals, and schedules of each partner organization to maximize its impact.
Since 2000, Life Stories has helped to elevate the voices and stories of over 4,000 individuals, including DCPS students, Latinx teens, incarcerated and at-risk youth, returning veterans, families affected by homelessness, mothers who have lost sons to gun violence, and members of the LGBTQ community. Recognized for its profound impact, the program was honored with the Mayor’s Arts Award for Innovation in the Arts and one of its creators, Deb Gottesman, was a 2023 Washingtonian of the Year.
See Life Stories in Action
Phelps ACE Academy, DCPS – 2024
Life Stories instructor April Harris leads a dynamic group of high school students in DC as they create and perform a powerful choral poem, showcasing their voices and stories.
Strong Azz Mothers – 2023
In partnership with Making a Difference, a group of courageous mothers channel their grief over losing sons to gun violence into a moving play that amplifies their strength and resilience. As covered in The Washington Post.
Life Stories 2022/2023
This video shines a spotlight on programs for queer youth and adults, nurses, female veterans affected by PTSD, and Black boys and young men living in Southeast Washington.
How I Got Over – Life Stories Documentary
Watch the transformative journey of program participants in How I Got Over, a documentary by Academy Award-nominated director and producer Nicole Boxer.
Other Partners Include:
- Armed Services Arts Partnership
- Banneker High School
- Bard High School Early College
- Bright Beginnings
- Children’s Inn at NIH
- Columbia Heights Education Campus
- Community Bridges
- Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus
- Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop
- Friendship Collegiate Academy
- Life Pieces to Masterpieces
- Macfarland Middle School
- McKinley Tech High School
- New Beginnings Youth Development Center
- N Street Village
- Paso Nuevo at GALA Hispanic Theatre
- Sasha Bruce YouthWorks
- Stoddard Baptist Global Care
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
- Wounded Warriors Project
What People Are Saying
Bring Life Stories to Your Community
Life Stories offers year-round partnership opportunities for children (6+), teens, adults, seniors, and caregivers, working with schools, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. For more information or to bring Life Stories to your community, contact Bryce Sulecki at bryce@theatrelab.org.
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The Life Stories Institute
The Life Stories® Institute is an annual, multi-day intensive learning experience for anyone interested in harnessing the power of the dramatic arts to encourage wellness, inspire empathy, and drive positive self-expression in their community and/or workplace.
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