Drama Learning Center

Great place for kids to learn how to express themselves in a caring and fun environment. Diverse selection of shows, programs all year long, and after school and "schools out" programs.

We attended one of its program for young kids. Overall, this was the worst experience we had. It was WASTE of time and money. It was boring in all dimensions. I felt like they do not appropriate programs for little kids, and they did not bother to design one. But in sake of money, they still opened such programs.

Here was our experience.

First of all, the main complaints went to the center not the teacher. the center did not have a rigorous plan for programs of young kids. A lot of free dance without proper engagement made classes so boring. The content was not enough to engage little ones. I did doubt the competence of the teacher, but again the main blame went to the class design by the center.

Among the total 6 classes, the first one is just for introduction and free dance (little interaction between kids and teachers, just music and let the kids do what they want. why not I played music at home by myself then?). One of my little one complained he was so boring for the first class.

The second class was the worst! The leading teacher had an injury and she sat on a chair through almost the entire session. I do have sympathy on her injury and this was unfortunate event for her. But I was angry about the center for several reasons. First of all, DLC, as an organizer, should have someone else to step up and cover the class. Clearly, the assistant teacher does not have enough experience or qualification to step up properly. Second, even if the teacher taught class, she should be able to planned her class better. She had the children do coloring for 30 minutes!!! A lot kids (not only mine) just sat for the most of the class. This was just a wasted class, one out of six.

For the rest of classes, I observed they usually did 10 min-15min free dance, 10min circle time with a game. What I observed is the teacher was talking to one or two kids. The rest of them were just sat there doing nothing. There were only 30min meaningful activities for kids!

Refuses to refund for no camp this summer. Do not register for Fall because if there is a Covid shutdown, the owner will not return your funds.

DLC is a great place for children of all ages to learn, develop, and have fun! I love that they get to learn from smart, caring staff with a wide variety of professional experience. Highly recommended!

We gave DLC another chance with Matilda this time but they keep disappointing us. (1) No opportunity to rotate lead roles, the same kids get the lead role on all productions. Also, same age group but one get better role than the other. This is inequality (2) I may be over react, but it seems like Asian kids get a fewer lines and "white" kids get a lot more this is consider race discrimination. (3) No learning or development, if the child always be an ensemble over and over again, how do they develop? The kids are there to learn, develop, be confidence, and enjoy, not to be disappointed and discourage. They spent hours and hours at the center and at the end, they only get to say 1 or 2 lines in the entire show, that's very discouraging. (4) We raised our concern to the director and he didn't even bother to response. This is rude and unprofessional in my opinion.

DLC is a wonderful place for my child to experience theater, gain confidence, and shine.

I have been at Drama Learning Center for almost 10 years now. I love it there so much. They have something for everyone. From their Broadway Babies class all the way to TYA Teen Professionals, Drama Learning Center teaches all of their students different theatre skills, while making sure they are have fun as well. Their general classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights are basically like a "recreational" class. Just like in soccer you have rec, rev plus, travel, etc., these general classes will teach you the basic theatre skills. The next class up isn't exactly a class. It is a company. It is called TYA Teen Proffesionals. TYA is for the older, more advanced students.(grades 8-12). TYA so has a Junior Company, and for short, JCo.(grades 6-12)If you're child is interested in theatre, this will be the place for them! If you are a child and you are reading this, and you are interested in theatre, tell your parents about Drama Learning Center!!!

DLC has been "home" to my daughter for the last 7 years. The training that she has received has been stellar and has given her the confidence AND competence to pursue her passion - musical theater. We've tried other programs in the DC metro area, and DLC is by far the best. Children begin by becoming a cast member in DLC's many popular shows, and then can proceed if there is interest, in DLC's Teaching Young Actors' Junior (JCo) and Senior companies (TYA) where they hone important auditioning skills, experience the importance of ensemble work, and achieve success outside of one's comfort zone. Also offered are voice lessons, which our daughter and I totally embraced. So if your child is interested in musical theater, DLC is the GO-TO Location:)!