Summer Teen Training Institutes

Philosophy: We take teens seriously. That’s the secret to our wildly successful summer programs. We respect the potential of every student and, through intensive training programs culminating in public performances, we commit to developing their artistry —whether they are new to the craft or already on a path to a life in the theatre. And we believe skills can only be developed in a space where students feel a sense of belonging. When you spend a summer at The Theatre Lab, you are guaranteed to find instructors and students who welcome your unique talents and are eager to make meaningful connections, both onstage and off.

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.

Explore All Teen Training Institutes

Musical Theatre Institute for Teens (MTIT)

An intensive four-week training program for ages 13-19 in which participants rehearse and perform a full musical theatre production at Atlas Performing Arts Center in downtown DC. This program has two sessions per summer, each producing different shows. Past productions have included Hadestown: Teen Edition, The SpongeBob Musical, Footloose, Titanic, Carrie, and The Prom.

Summer Acting Institute for Teens (SAIT)

An intensive four-week acting conservatory for ages 13-19 in which participants rehearse and perform a full public production of a contemporary work. Past productions have included Midnite, The Secret in the Wings, Medea, and Almost, Maine.

Performance Intensive for Teens (PIT)

A two-week program of performance skill-building in acting, auditioning, and musical theatre for ages 13-19, culminating in a public showcase of scenes, songs, and monologues.

Advanced Musical Theatre Intensive (AMTI)

A new, challenging one-week acting and vocal training program for young adults and experienced teens ages 15-26, culminating in a fully sung, staged public reading. Launched in 2025, the inaugural production of AMTI was Stephen Sondheim’s Company.

Admissions Process

Admission to our teen training institutes is by application and audition. Applicants will be accepted on the basis of their commitment to exploring the acting or 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 script or musical score. All applicants must complete a written essay expressing their interest in the program.

Due to the limited nature of our enrollment, admission is competitive. You will be contacted shortly after the application deadline to schedule an audition (e.g. prepare a musical theatre song for Musical Theatre programs). Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered only if space becomes available.

Financial Aid

At The Theatre Lab, we believe theatre education should be accessible to all. We strive to offer as much need-based financial assistance as possible. Applications are included in each program’s admissions application. 

Policies

Registration Policy: Tuition must be paid in advance. A student is registered only upon receipt of payment in full. Please review our summer program policies before registering.

Age/Grade Level Policy: All participants should be registered only for programs listed for their age group. We understand that skill and experience levels vary. However students, are required to register for their age-appropriate programming. 

Questions

Read our summer program FAQs below! If your question about our youth or teen summer programs still hasn’t been answered, please contact Terah Herman-Saldaña, Director of Youth Programs, at terah@theatrelab.org.

Learn more about our summer programs

1st-6th Grade Programs
7th-8th Grade Programs
Summer Camp Policies
Summer Camp FAQs
A Typical Day at Summer Camp

Return to the Summer Camp Homepage