Honors Acting Conservatory: Class of 2026
Anthony Barnes
Anthony Barnes is an aspiring actor and singer based in the Washington, DC area, currently deepening his craft through formal training at The Theatre Lab. From a young age, Anthony demonstrated a passion for performance, music, and storytelling. He grew up singing in church and school concert choirs and always found ways to continue making music throughout his professional career in the nonprofit sector.
Anthony believes in the power of performance to connect and inspire, and he is drawn to stories that feel human and emotionally alive. Thrilled to be a member of this year’s Honors Conservatory cohort, he is committed to developing his craft, learning new skills, and deepening his understanding of the field.
Sekou Hamer
Sekou Hamer is an actor, writer, and musician from East Providence, RI and Philadelphia, PA, who began acting at the age of nine in a school play. Throughout the years, he’s attended theatre programs at New York University, Boston University, and National Theatre Institute. After graduating from the Acting program at Howard University, he became overwhelmed with embarking on his career, and took a break.
For Sekou, being a part of the Honors Acting Conservatory is not only an amazing opportunity to further develop his skills and work with incredible artists, but also marks a long-awaited return to his true passion.
Grace K.
Grace K. is an actor, writer, and storyteller based in the Washington D.C. area. She began acting in 2008, followed shortly by directing. She has performed in productions including A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo & Juliet, Pride & Prejudice, Much Ado About Nothing, Fawlty Towers, and The Taming of The Shrew.
While theater is her first love, she is equally passionate about film and dance. She is delighted to be a part of the 2026 Honors Acting Conservatory and hopes to hone her craft through this program's rigorous training.
Siena McKnight
Siena has been in productions since the age of 12. She is a BFA Graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design in the Performing Arts along with a Minor in Production Design.
Siena is honored to be a part of the Theatre Lab’s Honors Program and hopes to grow into a stronger actress.
Erin Obaonrin
Erin Obaonrin is an actor delighted to be part of the Theatre Lab's 2026 Honors Acting Conservatory. They’ve had a love for self-expression through performance since they were a child, and participated in their schools’ stage productions beginning in middle school, and continuing through college. Erin believes deeply in the power of storytelling. She hopes to create and participate in art, theatre, film, and television that is shifting, enlightening, honest, and addresses how the systems of oppression affect us as individuals.
Erin is very excited to hone her acting skills through the Conservatory, and outside of acting, enjoys singing, dancing, hiking, and studying Astrology.
Maya Reva
Maya Reva was captivated by storytelling and performing from a young age. She aspired to study and pursue acting professionally but embarked on an alternate path in life, embracing a fulfilling career in marketing. She began exploring acting in earnest in 2024, and has performed in two stage productions and three 48 Hour Film Projects within the past year. Maya’s passion for her craft is evident in her continuous pursuit of knowledge and her joy in learning.
She is excited to be part of the 2026 Honors Acting Conservatory program, where she will continue refining her skills and growing as an artist committed to fostering genuine human connection through storytelling. She currently calls Northern Virginia home.
Clara Shanley
Clara Shanley is a poet and storyteller, with a passion for spilling her guts out through art. There is nothing like that electric connection between artist and audience, that allows both to be mutually seen and understood! She began acting at 14 and has performed in productions across the United States, receiving several awards and accolades.
She looks forward to this year of training and refining her talents with The Theatre Lab’s exceptional faculty.
Lily Tender
Lily Tender has been creating art for as long as she can remember, whether with a canvas or on the stage. As a DMV local, Lily spent her childhood watching performances and embracing the vibrant local theatre scene, fueling her love for the performing arts.
She is excited to dive deeper into her lifelong passion and grow as a performer in the Honor’s Acting Conservatory. Lily’s days are spent as an educator for job-seeking young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She can also be found on long walks with her dog, Boots, painting, or trying out whatever craft has piqued her interest.
Jonathan Thompson
Jonathan Thompson is an actor and storyteller shaped by discipline, service, and sustained creative inquiry. His background includes military service, academic scholarship in anthropology and communications, and public service—experiences that sharpened his attention to character, power, vulnerability, and human connection. Across professional and creative roles in visual media, storytelling, and public engagement, story has remained central as a means of truth and shared meaning. Returning to creativity through improv, comedy, and live storytelling clarified acting as his primary artistic practice.
Jonathan approaches performance as an act of presence and integration, drawing from lived experience to meet characters with rigor, empathy, and restraint. He is honored to be part of the Theatre Lab’s Honors Acting Conservatory, where he is committed to deepening technique, embracing challenge, and seriously pursuing the craft.
Jacquel Tomlin
Jacquel’s passion for the dramatic arts originated not in traditional performance spaces, but rather within her own home, where she would recreate shows and portray every character herself. Jacquel channeled her creativity into designing scenes, crafting props, and inventing imaginative narratives inspired by everyday experiences. At that time, she did not fully recognize the connection between her imaginative play and the broader world of the arts; instead of memorizing lines, Jacquel developed original scripts and scenes.
It was only upon enrolling in Introduction to Acting at The Theatre Lab that she discovered the transformative power of bringing written work to life on stage. Jacquel is honored to be a student in the 2026 Honors Acting Conservatory class.