The Theatre Lab’s renowned Musical Theatre Institute is an intensive four-week musical theatre program for teens in which students rehearse and perform a full musical production under the guidance of the DC area’s most esteemed directors. This exhilarating program is designed to challenge young performers—both artistically and personally—while providing a supportive, caring environment in which to develop. Roles are open to experienced performers as well as those looking to build musical theatre skills.
Past productions of the Musical Theatre Institute for Teens (MTIT), including performances of Hadestown: Teen Edition, The SpongeBob Musical, Titanic, Footloose, The Prom, Urinetown, Jesus Christ Superstar, Parade, and Rent, have played to rave critical reviews and sold-out houses.
Summer 2026
Looking ahead to next summer? Applications for Summer 2026 will open in early January. Our curriculum from this summer’s teen training institutes is available to browse as a general reference for what to expect. Subscribe to our emails and follow us on social media (@theatrelabdc) to be the first in line when our schedule is announced. In the meantime, explore our catalogue of school year teen classes.
Browse School Year ClassesTraining Curriculum
The Musical Theatre Institute enables young artists to explore challenging, socially relevant material from the contemporary musical theatre world as they receive the intensive voice, movement and acting training essential for professional-level performance.
While the emphasis is on performance, MTIT students will also receive training in a wide variety of musical theatre disciplines during the rehearsal process, including: vocal production, acting a song, proper breathing technique, movement, building a character, ensemble acting, and more. In addition, students cast in ensemble roles will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform a solo in a student cabaret, open to the public, during the third week of the program.
Admissions Process
Admission to the Musical Theatre Institute is by application and audition only. Applicants will be accepted on the basis of their commitment to exploring the musical theatre craft, their willingness to collaborate in a group process of discovery with other young artists, and their ability to handle the demands of the play and the musical score.
All applicants must complete a written essay expressing their interest in the program. Applicants must also prepare a musical theatre song for auditions that will be scheduled upon receipt of completed application.
Due to the limited nature of our enrollment, admission is competitive. You will be contacted shortly after the application deadline to schedule an audition. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered only if space becomes available.
MTIT is offered in two sessions per summer. Students can audition to take part in both sessions.
Tuition
Tuition for each session of the Musical Theatre Institute is $1,450. Please note: If you audition and are accepted into both Musical Theatre Sessions, you will receive a 15% discount on tuition for enrolling in both programs (total tuition: $2,465).
Partial financial aid is available through our Work Study program. In addition, a limited number of full scholarships will be awarded annually through the Dena Kohn Memorial Scholarship Fund. (Criteria: exceptional community involvement and financial need.)
Schedule
Classes and rehearsals take place at our new satellite location at 10th and G Streets (First UCC DC). Performances will take place at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street, NE. Note: On the second night of performances (Friday), there will be no classes; students will be expected to arrive at the theatre at 5pm for rehearsal and stay through performance time. Schedules and locations subject to change.
2025 MTIT Sessions
Session I: Hadestown: Teen Edition
Music, Lyrics, & Book by Anais Mitchell
Directed by Deb Gottesman
Music Direction by Lucia LaNave
Choreography by Sarah Frances Williams
Session Details
Dive into the depths of myth and music with Hadestown, a Tony Award-winning phenomenon that brings ancient legends to electrifying life! Nominated for 14 Tony Awards and winner of 8—including Best Musical—Hadestown is a sweeping, genre-bending journey to the underworld and back, filled with heart, heat, and unforgettable songs. With a soul-stirring score by Anaïs Mitchell that blends folk, blues, and New Orleans jazz, this is more than just a retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth—it’s a moving story of love, power, and the choices we make when faced with fear and doubt.
This is a show where bold voices and unique interpretations shine—Hadestown welcomes a cast that reflects the world we live in, and its roles offer rich opportunities for performers of all identities and types. It’s also a true ensemble piece: from the workers of Hadestown to the ever-watchful Fates, nearly everyone on stage plays a vital role in building this thrilling theatrical world.
Schedule
June 16-July 12,* Mondays-Fridays
12pm-6pm (Note: first week meets 4pm-8pm to accommodate DC school schedules)
Evening rehearsals and performances July 7-12 and matinee July 12
*No class on June 19 or July 4
Press & Photography
Read the full review of Hadestown: Teen Edition by DC Theater Arts
View our photo recap of Hadestown: Teen Edition on Instagram
Session II: The SpongeBob Musical
Directed by Evan Casey and Lucia LaNave
Choreography by Maya Nellum
Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg
Book by Kyle Jarrow
Musical Production Conceived by Tina Landau
Original Songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic!, At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I.
And Songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley
Additional Lyrics by Jonathan Coulton, Additional Music by Tom Kitt
Session Details
Dive into the world of Bikini Bottom and be part of a critically acclaimed musical adventure under the sea! Nominated for an impressive 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and winner of Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, The SpongeBob Musical! is more than just iconic cartoon characters come to life– it’s also a hilarious and heartfelt story about community, resilience, and being your best self. Featuring a dynamic score by music legends including Panic! John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, and David Bowie, this is a musical where any role can be played by an actor of any gender and type. And it’s a great ensemble piece, too–all of the many inhabitants of Bikini Bottom are involved in the action most of the time–with fun break-out roles of all kinds.
Schedule
July 14-August 9, Mondays-Fridays
12pm-5pm
Evening rehearsals and performances Aug 5-9 and Matinee Aug 9
Press & Photography
View our photo recap of The SpongeBob Musical on Instagram
Learn more about our summer teen training institutes
Summer Acting Institute
Performance Intensive
Advanced Musical Theatre Intensive
Summer Program Policies
Summer Program FAQs
Financial Aid
Return to the Teen Training Institutes Homepage