Brooklyn Acting Lab

Brooklyn Acting Lab (BAL) is a Brooklyn-based youth theatre organization offering acting and theatre training for Pre-K through 12th grade across multiple neighborhoods (including Park Slope, Ditmas Park, and Carroll Gardens). In addition to camps, BAL runs after-school classes, drop-in classes for families who want to “test drive” without a full-session commitment, and private coaching/audition prep (helpful for middle school, specialized high school, and college auditions).

For summer, BAL’s programming is structured as weeklong theatre camps/programs, with weekly themes that shape the stories, games, music, and creative projects kids build together. Their main camp structure places an emphasis on kids performing, creating, imagining, and having fun—and they host weekly performances at all levels, which is a nice “tangible payoff” for families who want a showcase moment.

During the school year (and for coverage around school closures), BAL offers two parent-friendly formats: after-school theatre programs, and school break programs designed to align with NYC public/private calendars. Their break-day model is “PLAY in a Day”—kids collaborate to create props, costumes, choreography, songs, and a full play in a single day, which can be a great fit when you want something structured and creative on random days off.

Year-round

‍Summer Camps

‍June 29 - Sept 4, 2026

After School Program
$900 - $1,100/semester, with the exception of full musical participation, which is around $2,550/semester

‍School Break Camp
$170/day

‍Summer Camp
$715/week

Financial aid is available, apply here.

After School Programs‍

Can be registered for online here.

‍School Break Programs‍

Can be registered for online here.

‍Summer Camps

‍Can be registered for online here.

718.238.8383

admin@brooklynactinglab.org

N/A

What Parents Like‍

• Warm, smart, engaging staff (kids feel safe and seen). Parent quotes highlighted by BAL describe the directors/staff as “warm, smart and engaging,” with a “beautiful personal touch” you wouldn’t get at a more commercial program. (1, 1.5)
• Multiple parent testimonials describe big gains in confidence, stage presence, and kids “finding and loving” their own voice—across both camps and ongoing classes. (1.5)
• Parents describe BAL as a “serious learning environment” where kids have a lot of fun while working collaboratively and respectfully as a team. (1, 1.5)
• Imagination-driven, immersive themes (great for creative kids). Time Out highlights BAL’s camp weeks as “choose-your-own-adventure” themed experiences that expose kids to elements of immersive theater—so it’s not just rehearsing lines; it’s world-building and play. (2)

‍What Parents Think Could Be Improved‍

• BAL shares lots of parent quotes and press on its own site, but there aren’t as many independent, camp-specific long-form reviews publicly indexed compared with bigger camps.

‍Our Take

‍Brooklyn Acting Lab comes across as a high-touch, creativity-heavy option for families who want more than a “cute craft camp”—especially for kids who thrive with imaginative themes, ensemble work, and supportive teachers who know how to draw kids out.