Courses & Programs
The Theatre Lab offers the area’s most comprehensive theatre arts curriculum for adults, teens, and youth, most taught by the area’s finest theatre professionals. With both in-person and online classes in acting for the stage and screen, musical theatre, voiceovers, playwriting, directing, and drama criticism, you can shape a unique training program that is right for you.
Adult Classes: Read class policies. Apply for financial aid.
Youth Classes: Read class policies.
Results
Prepare, rehearse, and perform in a series of staged readings on the stage of the Washington Stage Guild, one of DC’s most respected theatrical venues, working with professional directors and actors as part of a core company of students playing substantial roles. Issues explored in the class include the expectations involved in professional work, how to make strong acting choices within a compressed schedule, and the specific demands of staged readings versus full productions. The fall session explores examples of Testimonial Theatre (sometimes known as Verbatim Theatre), in which plays are constructed using the exact words of people interviewed about a particular event or testimony from court documents and media statements. Once known as Living Newspapers, plays in this form often take on difficult themes as they ask us to put purselves in the shoes of another. This year's roster will be no exception. While the fall scripts are not finalized, they are likely to include Columbinus (about the Columbine school massacre), Let Me Down Easy (Anna Deveare Smith's fascinating exploration of health and perceptions of body), The Investigation, Peter Weiss' examination of the Franfurt Auschwitz trials of 1963, and similar plays. Many roles for all types.
Class Thursdays 7-10pm
Rehearsals Saturdays 1:30-5:30pm
Performances Tuesdays at 7:30. Students arrive at 6:30 PM.
Fill out this form to request an audition.
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No class 10/5 (Yom Kippur); No class 10/19
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No class Nov 23 (Thanksgiving weekend)
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No class 10/5 (Yom Kippur)
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No class Oct. 4 (Erev Yom Kippur)
" ["post_title"]=> string(12) "Cold Reading" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(24) "cold-reading-fall-i-2022" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-08-11 14:24:22" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-08-11 18:24:22" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(54) "https://theatrelab.org/?post_type=product&p=54327" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(7) "product" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [7]=> object(WP_Post)#13429 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(54339) ["post_author"]=> string(6) "254521" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2022-08-09 14:33:43" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-08-09 18:33:43" ["post_content"]=> string(252) "What makes comedy work? This class will explore principles of comedy through intensive work on scenes and monologues, with some attention to comic theory and great comedic performances preserved on film. For students with scene study experience.
" ["post_title"]=> string(6) "Comedy" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(8) "comedy-2" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-08-11 16:01:41" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-08-11 20:01:41" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(54) "https://theatrelab.org/?post_type=product&p=54339" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(7) "product" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [8]=> object(WP_Post)#13428 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(54336) ["post_author"]=> string(6) "254521" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2022-08-09 14:26:21" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-08-09 18:26:21" ["post_content"]=> string(701) "Estill Voice Training Level 1 is for anyone who wants to understand and improve their singing or speaking voice—singers, actors, voice teachers, business people, etc. No matter what your vocal goals, EVT will give you essential tools to add strength, clarity, stamina and color to your voice. Each class will consist of lecture, group practice, and open coaching, where participants apply what they learn to song repertoire or spoken text. Participants will receive a certificate of completion from Estill Voice International. Participants will be required to purchase a PDF of materials from the Estill website for $40.
No class Nov 8 (Election Day)
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No class Oct. 4 (Erev Yom Kippur)
" ["post_title"]=> string(30) "Getting Started in TV and Film" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(42) "getting-started-in-tv-and-film-fall-i-2022" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-08-11 14:25:27" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-08-11 18:25:27" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(54) "https://theatrelab.org/?post_type=product&p=54320" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(7) "product" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } } ["post_count"]=> int(10) ["current_post"]=> int(-1) ["in_the_loop"]=> bool(false) ["post"]=> object(WP_Post)#13644 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(54329) ["post_author"]=> string(6) "254521" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2022-08-09 13:14:54" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-08-09 17:14:54" ["post_content"]=> string(1552) "Prepare, rehearse, and perform in a series of staged readings on the stage of the Washington Stage Guild, one of DC’s most respected theatrical venues, working with professional directors and actors as part of a core company of students playing substantial roles. Issues explored in the class include the expectations involved in professional work, how to make strong acting choices within a compressed schedule, and the specific demands of staged readings versus full productions. The fall session explores examples of Testimonial Theatre (sometimes known as Verbatim Theatre), in which plays are constructed using the exact words of people interviewed about a particular event or testimony from court documents and media statements. Once known as Living Newspapers, plays in this form often take on difficult themes as they ask us to put purselves in the shoes of another. This year's roster will be no exception. While the fall scripts are not finalized, they are likely to include Columbinus (about the Columbine school massacre), Let Me Down Easy (Anna Deveare Smith's fascinating exploration of health and perceptions of body), The Investigation, Peter Weiss' examination of the Franfurt Auschwitz trials of 1963, and similar plays. Many roles for all types.
Class Thursdays 7-10pm
Rehearsals Saturdays 1:30-5:30pm
Performances Tuesdays at 7:30. Students arrive at 6:30 PM.
-
Student Level
Adults (18+)Acting in a Professional Production: Testimonial Theatre
Instructor
Deb Gottesman
Day
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Dates
Oct 6 - Nov 1
Time
See description.
Prepare, rehearse, and perform in a series of staged readings on the stage of the Washington Stage Guild, one of DC’s most respected theatrical venues, working with...
MORE INFOSESSION
Early Fall
LOCATION
In Person
COST
$470
-
Student Level
Adults (18+)Anyone Can Act – August
Instructor
Amal Saade
Day
Saturday
Dates
Aug 20 - Aug 20
Time
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Myth: Acting is about talent and talent is something you’re born with. Reality: Acting is a craft that anyone can learn—at any age. Acting is also a fun and deepl...
MORE INFOSESSION
Late Summer
LOCATION
In Person
COST
$50
-
Student Level
Adults (18+)Auditioning: Self-Tape vs. In-Person
Instructor
Mitchell Hébert
Day
Thursdays
Dates
Sep 15 - Oct 20
Time
7 - 9:30 PM
Intensive practice in auditioning for the stage, both in person and on tape. More and more, directors and casting directors require actors to send videos of their mon...
MORE INFOSESSION
Early Fall
LOCATION
Online
COST
$300
-
Student Level
Adults (18+)Beginning Scene Study
Instructor
Madeleine Regina
Day
Wednesdays
Dates
Sep 14 - Nov 2
Time
7 - 10 PM
An intensive introduction to scripted work through preparation and performance of scenes and monologues. Emphasis on learning effective rehearsal techniques and expan...
MORE INFOSESSION
Early Fall
LOCATION
In Person
COST
$360
-
Student Level
Adults (18+)Beginning Scene Study
Instructor
Madeleine Regina
Day
Wednesdays
Dates
Nov 9 - Dec 21
Time
7 - 10 PM
An intensive introduction to scripted work through preparation and performance of scenes and monologues. Emphasis on learning effective rehearsal techniques and expan...
MORE INFOSESSION
Late Fall
LOCATION
In Person
COST
$360
-
Student Level
Adults (18+)Beginning Scene Study II: American Classics
Instructor
Marietta Hedges
Day
Wednesdays
Dates
Sep 14 - Oct 26
Time
7 - 9:30 PM
A continuation of our popular Beginning Scene Study class, focusing on scripts by great 20th century American playwrights like Tennessee Williams, Lorraine Hansberry,...
MORE INFOSESSION
Early Fall
LOCATION
Online
COST
$300
-
Student Level
Adults (18+)Cold Reading
Instructor
Michael Russotto
Day
Tuesdays
Dates
Sep 20 - Nov 1
Time
7 - 9:30 PM
Students will learn how to connect quickly and powerfully with unfamiliar scripts and scene partners, improving cold reading skills for general auditions, call backs,...
MORE INFOSESSION
Early Fall
LOCATION
Online
COST
$300
-
Student Level
Adults (18+)Comedy
Instructor
Michael Russotto
Day
Mondays
Dates
Nov 7 - Dec 12
Time
7 - 9:30 PM
What makes comedy work? This class will explore principles of comedy through intensive work on scenes and monologues, with some attention to comic theory and great co...
MORE INFOSESSION
Late Fall
LOCATION
Online
COST
$300
-
Student Level
Adults (18+)Estill Voice Training Level 1
Instructor
Steve Quintilian
Day
Tuesdays
Dates
Nov 1 - Dec 13
Time
7 - 10 PM
Estill Voice Training Level 1 is for anyone who wants to understand and improve their singing or speaking voice—singers, actors, voice teachers, business people, et...
MORE INFOSESSION
Late Fall
LOCATION
In Person
COST
$360
-
Student Level
Adults (18+)Getting Started in TV and Film
Instructor
Brenna McDonough
Day
Tuesdays
Dates
Sep 13 - Oct 25
Time
7 - 9:30 PM
This class will cover the ins and outs of all aspects of the film industry, with a special focus on opportunities in the DC area, including commercials, corporate vid...
MORE INFOSESSION
Early Fall
LOCATION
In Person
COST
$330