Enrolled my teen daughter in The Theatre Lab's Summer Camp 2026 and the Honors Acting Conservatory intro class--game-changer! The small classes with pro faculty built her skills from basics to stage-ready poise, boosting her confidence for school plays and beyond; she even landed a community theatre role right after. Super organized site for easy enrollment, generous scholarships available, and the downtown DC space feels inspiring with access to pro theatres. Nurturing vibe for all levels; we've signed up for more--highly recommend for aspiring performers! read more

I have taken a couple classes here and it's a great school. It's refreshing to find a school geared towards adults that has classes for people who just want to act and aren't interested in becoming a professional actor. I walked in to "Anyone can act" class with no training or experience and loved it. Since then I have taken into to acting and scene study and enjoyed it. I also like the fact all of my classes were taught by local actors. I will be taking more classes here in the near future. read more

I recently took 2 classes at the Theater Lab, and found the instructors to be very knowledgeable and great at engaging the students (Marybeth Wise, Delia Taylor, and Deidra Starnes). The class size averaged about 10 students, which was a great size to work with when it comes to performing arts. The environment / approach was more focused on creating a comfortable setting for students to explore their skills, which I definitely enjoyed! The only downside is that the student's objectives ranged vastly from "just taking a class because I am curious" to "serious want to become a professional" so depending on what you are looking for and the group of folks you end up with in a class, the experience can differ. read more

As a graduate of the 2009 Honors Conservatory, I owe my career to the Theatre Lab. I changed careers in my late 20s/early 30s from academic editing to performing, and I'm now a full-time actor/teaching artist/voice artist in DC: I record books for the Library of Congress; I've performed with some of the premier small professional stages in the area, including Imagination Stage, Forum Theatre, Constellation, Scena, 1st Stage, WSC Avant Bard, The HUB, Washington Stage Guild, and Arts on the Horizon; I've taught for Round House Theatre and Creative Kids; and I've written and performed for touring children's theater. I can't stress enough what an enriching, inclusive environment the Theatre Lab has created, or the positive energy its instructors bring to all its programs, including the Conservatory. If your aim is to move into professional theater, you'll make contacts with people at the top of their game in DC -- actors, directors, techs. If your goal is to act or direct as a hobby, or for personal enrichment, you'll find students from all walks of life and instructors who genuinely believe that theater is for everyone. Theatre Lab is also one of the rare acting organizations genuinely committed toward making theater accessible and toward making a difference in the community. It's really one of the most loving, supportive creative environments you'll find in DC. read more

There really aren't many places like this - where you're able to take classes while still working during the day. I looked into acting out of curiosity (and something to do after work) and chose Theatre Lab because of the convenience, and started taking at least one class every "semester" because it was just that awesome. Classes are once a week for about 6 to 7 weeks, depending on the length of your class, and there are intro as well as more advanced classes. I came from a zero-acting background and each instructor I had (who are directors and/or actors themselves in and around DC) made it fun. Classes are all structured differently, obviously depending on the instructors. Some recommend buying books, but it's never a "required" reading. There may be times where you will need to meet with your partner outside of class to work on something, but it doesn't take too much of your time - you're given the flexibility to invest as much time as you want in this (but remember, you've paid for this). Each class is reasonably priced - a little over $200 (you get a discount if you join their membership, which will pay off if you take more than 2 classes). If you're serious enough, they have something called the honors conservatory where honors students are required to take certain classes each semester - which results in classes every day of the week from around 7pm-10pm for a year. If you're not in class, then you're rehearsing for a performance. It's intense, but every honor's student I've met also thoroughly enjoys it. (http://www.theatrelab.org/honors.asp) Many instructors have been to acting school and have a horrible acting teacher experience that's pushed them to avoid that environment at all. So they'll provide feedback, but I started to want more nitpicky criticism to help me improve. You can pay for classes online with a CC. read more

If you are serious about acting or musical theater, The Theatre Lab is an organization you should definitely consider. My son has been in the summer program for four consecutive years and he has gained invaluable knowledge and skills from the professional instruction that he has received. He has also had a great time! read more

My son has benefitted from the Theatre Lab programs in so many ways more than just acting and singing development. The teachers are phenomenal and give young people a voice and confidence that will serve them in any future pursuits. read more

Some of the best theatrical training in the metropolitan area, not to mention phenomenal production value. Truly one of my favorite places/experiences of my entire life! read more

I was a part of the 2014 honors acting conservatory and had a brilliant experience. The Theatre Lab's honors conservatory is perfect for those who are looking for a comprehensive one year training that prepares your for graduate school or the professional market. It was exactly what I was looking for to propel me to the next phase in my career. The honors class is also capped at 10 slots, so you receive a lot of specialized attention. The directors/teachers are both very knowledgable and gracious, as they are the best in the DMV area. Quite literally one of the best decisions I've made in my life as it changed the trajectory of my career. read more

I graduated from the 2013 Honors Conservatory, and learned so much about theatre during that year! Something unique that I think they offer is that they encourage you to be a 'primary artist.' They create an environment that is safe for exploring your and your scene partners' emotions. This encourages you to be creative and bold in your acting choices. You will exit the program with confidence and a very useful skill set, enabling you to contribute in a meaningful way to the collaborative process of creating art with actors, directors, designers, and others. read more

I recently completed Beginning Scene Study with George Grant. Fabulous!!!! A basic structural approach, with tons of specific "actions and tactics" to fill out the details...even my own one woman show became richer as a result. And I loved that we worked on a scene with a partner, as well as on a monologue. I felt my skills growing each week. Highly recommend!!! read more

My Alma Mater . Great faculty. Hands down the best acting coaches I've studied under. They live and breathe theatre. it is so infectious. I loved my time there as an honor student and have made life long friends. The curriculum is so thorough it encompasses every aspect of stage work and it gives you a fighting chance in the real world. You'll know how to handle yourself when it comes to the business side of showbiz and you will stand on stage, toe to toe, with the best of them and feel that you belong; that you deserve to be on it. And if you are lucky like I was you get to act with your heroes. read more

The Theatre Lab is a theater training company of the very highest level. They are the largest acting training company in DC. Our family has had experience with their adult classes, as well as the Teen Musical Theater Institute. The founders and Executive Directors Deb Gottesman and Buzz Mauro are extremely professional, talented, deeply experienced, and so very kind. They create a community of committed and devoted actors- who care for one another. The quality of their productions is outstanding! The musicals are professionally directed and choreographed. You will be blown away by the high quality of every single thing they do! read more

As a 2010 graduate of the Theatre Lab, I owe so much to the faculty and students I worked with there. If you want a serious study of acting, in a friendly, supportive, and challenging environment, then this is the place for you. I owe my current career to my training here. Not only is the instruction top notch, but the Lab is connected to many of DC's top theaters and theater professionals. Upon graduating, you are already networked with so many others. Since graduating, I have worked professionally with other graduates and instructors that I met while a student. Theatre Lab is highly recommended. read more

I had an amazing experience in the Theatre Lab's Honors Acting Conservatory. The instruction is top-notch, and the classes are an excellent value. It's a wonderful and safe space to explore acting, whether you want to pursue it as a hobby or consider it as a profession. Cannot say enough great things about the Theatre Lab! read more

Great organization, superb leadership and phenomenal programs. I have had direct experience with all for more than a dozen years and hold them in the highest regard. I have taken several acting/improv programs, trained at the Institute and co-led in the Life Stories Program. Every experience has been stellar. read more

I would recommend The Theatre Lab for anyone who wants to explore the ability to act and react to their environment in different situations.. definitely a lot of fun.... read more

Wonderful dialect class with a supportive teacher in Tonya Beckman. I plan to take more classes here. Despite the larger than usual class size, everyone still got a good amount of time to demonstrate their accents and ask questions. read more

I took a voice and speech class here with Tonya. It was great. I was hoping to learn more about how to effectively use my voice and body to be better at public speaking. We learned relaxation techniques and worked on our breath a lot. The class was very relaxing and fun. We didn't do much body work, so I'll probably try to take another class that is more focused on acting to get those skills down better. read more

The Theatre Lab has the very best instructors ever. As an honors grad who went through their intensive program, I highly recommend it to anyone who is serous about developing their acting skills. Theatre Lab instructors create a safe environment for students to take risks. It's amazing to see the transformation of a performer's work as they are getting feedback during class. What are you waiting for, go sign up for classes now! read more

I've attended the honors conservatory acting program at Theater Lab recently. The instructors were very encouraging. They believe anyone can act and so I did. I found the instructors to be very dedicated, professional and extremely talented. They comfortably share their knowledge, experience, and vast theater network. Inviting leaders of the DC theater community in to see your performance and progress. I grew not only as an individual but also as an actor. Me,..., an actor! read more