Brooklyn Acting Lab
- Park Slope
1012 8th Ave, Brooklyn 11215
See Map | Get Directions - www.brooklynactinglab.org
Categories
Description
South Slope:
1012 8th Avenue
56 Windsor Place
North Slope:
729 Carroll Street (Old First Church)
Reviews (37)
Review from the Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 Afterschool Survey
REVIEW: BAL puts on high quality musicals, complete with costumes and sets, following a semester of twice-weekly rehearsals. The students are led by a large and experienced staff and develop strong friendships as they work toward a common goal. Age of child: 11Summer camp options in Windsor Terrace area?
[My younger son has] really loved Brooklyn Nature Days, Brooklyn Acting Lab and Prospect Gymnastics.Summer camp options in Windsor Terrace area?
We also had great experiences at Tiny Scientist and Brooklyn Acting Lab the past 2 summers.Review from the 2023 Summer Camp Survey
Location: 8th Ave in Park Slope How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 11 Review: What a fantastic program. Our tween had a blast. So many programs seem to end around 5th or 6th grade, it was terrific finding something that hit that middle school sweet spot. The staff were incredibly supportive and clearly having almost as much fun as the kids. Their capstone performance was pretty amazing for just one week of creation and prep. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Nothing.Review from the 2023 Summer Camp Survey
Location: South Slope How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 6 Review: So good! Kids make their own plays and preform them at the end of the week. So much fun! What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? NothingISO an after school theater program for middle school kid
Recommended without full reviewReview from the 2022 Summer Camp Survey
Location: Prospect Park, 11th St Entrance How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 7 and 5.5, both in the same camp Review: My kids had the best time! They created a performance each week, and at the end of the week, parents were allowed to attend the performance to see the fruits of their labor. My kids loved the singing, the dancing, the acting and the counselors. When I picked them up, they had nothing but fun stories about their day, and they loved being able to do everything outside all day long. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Nothing! Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? Masks were optional but recommended if they went indoors during inclement weather, and my kids reported that the counselors sanitized the kids' hands before snacks and meals.Review from the 2021 Summer Camp Survey
Name of camp: Brooklyn Acting Lab Location: Prospect Park How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 7 Review: My daughter loved the games and stories told each themed week and she made good friends. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? Everything was masked and outside, just what we wanted.Last minute August camp options?
My 5-yr-old had a great time doing 2 weeks of Brooklyn Acting Lab's camp in the park. Each week is a new theme and they put on a little performance for the parents on Friday. It's so adorable!Any in person recs for dance/ music/ drama classes...
Park Slope Performing Arts! They just started the new session.Any in person recs for dance/ music/ drama classes...
My daughter loved her outdoor class with BAL (https://brooklynactinglab.org/) and they have a new session of outdoor, indoor and online classes starting this week!Review from the 2020 Summer Camp Survey
Age of child: 7 Comment: My son attended the “pirate” theme week. He loved the treasure hunt and ongoing imaginative play. It was 4 days a week and my son wishes there was a 5th day. Met a new friend which is always golden for parents. Anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it you'd like to add? Very professional and thorough.Review from the 2020 Summer Camp Survey
Age of child: 7 Comment: The camp did a great job with social distancing outside. The weekly themes were fun, and they kept the kids very engaged. My kids really liked the counselors, and they came home happy every day. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? I wish the camp had been longer, especially for the price. It was M-Th 9-1 for the same cost as the preCOVID M-F, 9-3 cost. Anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it you'd like to add? They were very conscientious. They required a daily questionnaire and daily temperature checks. The kids were required to wear masks and respect social distancing. They had to sit in hula hoops that were 6’ apart. All counselors also wore masks.Review from the 2020 Summer Camp Survey
Age of child: 9 Comment: Great, child liked the improv and composition aspectsFall theater program
I *highly* recommend Brooklyn Acting Lab (BAL: https://brooklynactinglab.org/). My middle schooler has been doing it since she was little and they have different age groups for elementary kids and MS and older kids. This fall their musical ensemble is doing “School of Rock” and will have rehearsals on Tuesdays after school. It’s an awesome group of kids and the adults are the most thoughtful, patient, and nurturing teachers and performers that we’ve encountered in theater in the whole city (my daughter has tried many different programs).Theatre camps?
Brooklyn Acting Lab has been a lot of fun for my son. He first started when he was 5 or 6, but I think they have a program for younger ones.tween/teen theater day camp recs?
Brooklyn Acting Lab is awesome! My kids LOVE it!Theater programs for a 7 year old
We love love love Brooklyn Acting Lab! Truly amazing, supportive, professional and fun programs-our daughter has been going for a few years and we can’t tear her away. The productions they put on are really all inclusive, every child shines and has a blast, and the staff is amazing.Review submitted via the 2016-2017 Afterschool and Extracurricular Survey
Type: Musical Theatre/acting & singing Specific program name: Junior Musical Ensemble Held: After school Review: My daughter was in 2 musical theatre productions this school year with BAL and the experience surpassed my expectations by far. The class meets twice a week after school for about 4 months and ends with 4 performances at a real theatre in downtown Brooklyn. The children try out but each performance is truly and ensemble creation and most of the cast is on stage throughout the show. They really teach the kids about acting, singing, and developing themselves as performers. In addition to the skills they need to perform, they also indoctrinate them into a culture that is supportive, nurturing, welcoming, and non-competitive. The kids and adults involved all become like a family and really get to know each other. This program is by far the best local theatre experience I have found for my child and we've tried many of them. Skills developed: Acting, singing, confidence, leadership, teamwork What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? I wish they did afterschool pick up from my kid's school but they don't--although they do to several others in the area. The program has been very responsive and sensitive to questions and concerns, including by changing a ticket distribution process. Age of child: 8 Based on an experience from the 2016-2017 school yearReview from the 2017 PSP Summer Camp Survey
My daughter has been to BAL for a few years with the younger kids. This was her first time with older children and she had a blast. The focus the week she went was Shakespeare and she learned a ton as well as had a great time performing. It was one of the highlights of her summer. If you could change anything, what would it be? I wish the camp went until 4 - 9 to 3 is a short day and the extended hours fees makes that an expensive option. Age of child: 8 Based on a Summer 2017 experienceRe: Brooklyn Children's Theatre vs. Brooklyn Acting Lab?
Just have to jump in here. Brooklyn Acting Lab does indeed do musical theatre: They have done three elementary-grade productions in the Broadway Junior series since spring 2015: Annie, Into The Woods, and Seussical. They also offer a slew of other classes for elementary, middle, and high school aged kids, as well as adult classes (sometimes). The middle-grade offerings also include a musical (the most recent was The Little Mermaid). The musicals are co-created by the entire ensemble with guidance by the adults, and are costumed by a wonderful local mom. They perform at the Actors Fund Arts Center in downtown Brooklyn, a fully-equipped state of the art black box theatre. The kids develop a close, supportive, non-competitive ensemble feeling, and the grownups who run the program are warm, professional, and wonderful with kids. My daughter has done all three musicals as well as other classes at BAL since she was in pre-K (she is now entering 3rd grade), and it has been a really fantastic experience for our whole family.Re: Brooklyn Children's Theatre vs. Brooklyn Acting Lab?
My Broadway-obsessed son did 4 productions with BCT (starting when he was 6), and I was JUST comparing notes with a friend whose son has done Brooklyn Acting Lab. Seems like Brooklyn Acting Lab doesn't do musical theater (at least her son didn't), whereas musical theater is BCT's focus. They rehearse and perform an original musical (at the appropriate length and amount of work for the age group) over the course of the session, working on acting, singing, and choreography. But their real aim is to build self-confidence and teamwork skills, which they definitely did for my son.Re: Looking for February break (next week) mini camp/class
My daughter is a huge fan, and I don't want anyone to be confused! We've also had a fantastic experience with everyone at Young Players Theater over the course of three summers -- and going back for more in 2014!Re: Looking for February break (next week) mini camp/class
Young People's Theater (YPT) - a theater arts camp - is great. They really center around the kids' ideas and imagination and let them lead the way. It's very empowering AND fun. I highly recommend it. Our daughter went there for a few weeks last summer and has done several of their "play in a day" mini camps and will be heading back this summer. They are small so the kids get a lot of love and attention.Review from 2013 Summer Camp Experience
Age of Child: 4 Likes: My boys liked the stories told/acted out---and the trips to the park/sprinkler. They also loved performing in the 15 minute 'share' on the last day. What would you change? It turns out that my boys were the only two boys (with about 10 girls). They are pretty energetic and like to run and jump and if I'd have known they'd be the only boys I may had chosen another week---they came home daily needing to burn off lots of energy. Having to pack lunch with icepacks, two snacks, a swimsuit, a towel, change of clothes, and blanket for rest each day (for two boys) was a bit frustrating---(there were cubbies in the classroom that they didn't seem to have permission to store thing in overnight and a refrigerator that they weren't given access to)---It may have been totally different had we gone in July when YPT used their own space. Would you send your child(ren) again? No Do you recommend? Recommend Do you have any other information to add? The instructors were highly interested in what each child had to say and seemed to really enjoy working with all of them.2012 Summer Camp Survey
Camp Young Players Theater and Park Slope Day Camp 8th Avenue, Park Slope (YPT), Holy Name Church (PSDC) Day Care or Sleep Away-- day camp (both) Program: Windsor Terrace (PSDC) Age of Child: 7 Likes: YPT: she loves being able to create plays and perform them, and she reconnected with friends she only sees in the summer or a few times a year PSDC: she loves the diversity of activities, the numbers of campers, the camp counselors, and reconnecting with old friends (from day care and nursery school) What would you change? We loved both programs and really don't have many suggestions for improvement. Would you send your child(ren) again? Yes Do you recommend? Highly recommend Do you have any other information to add? Review from 2012 Summer Camp Experience2012 Summer Camp Survey
Camp Young Players Theater Day Care or Sleep Away-- DC Program: Age of Child: 6 Likes: My daughter loved pretty much everything about this camp. She liked that each week they studied a different country or part of the world, and she was very excited to share what she learned with me and to perform a new play every Friday. She liked the counselors, the pace of the day, singing, dancing, and playing with friends. What would you change? Nothing that I can think of at the moment! Would you send your child(ren) again? Yes Do you recommend? Highly recommend Do you have any other information to add? Review from 2012 Summer Camp Experience(no subject)
we have worked with YPT and loved it. They also run and after school program at our local school, PS9. The owner Kristen is a local parent of 2 kids and theatre person, and she has a young, dynamic staff or performers who are great with kids to run different day camp groups. There's lots of creativity, indoor and outdoor play, everyone is made to feel comfortable because groups are formed with different age groups, etc. We had a great experience with YPT, and I highly recommend them. (March 2012)Review from Birthday Party Survey, 2012
Address: @Church of the Gethsemane, 8th Avenue (Park Slope) LIKES: My daughter had done summer camp with Young Players Theater and had loved it so she wanted to share this activity with her friends. The staff at YPT were wonderful--they had enjoyed her over the summer and did a great job making her feel special and involving her friends in the party. What you'd change: Do you recommend (High Rec, Rec, Rec w/ Reservations, Do Not Rec)? Highly Recommend(no subject)
How old is your child? (or the age when he/she attended camp) Age: - 5 What did you/your child like about the summer camp? This camp was so lovely! My daughter had a great time with a balance of indoor and outdoor activities. The theater / acting component was so well-done by actors and costumers who really know their stuff. Best of all, they tailored it to the kids' interests and developmental levels. It's run very professionally by a mom who knows how to be responsive to the needs of parents. My daughter liked it much better than the bigger theater summer program that operates in the picnic house. This is much more intimate and responsive to kids and families. We are so happy to have found YPT. We will be using this program next summer and for school vacation camps. What would you change about the program? Although the main indoor space is in a basement of a church, it is a large space where the camp has built a stage. There are lots of windows too =). And the kids go outside every day. Will you send your child back to this summer camp program next year? (Or would you if you could?) Yes Would you recommend this program to other parents for their child in the future? Highly recommend(no subject)
How old is your child? (or the age when he/she attended camp) Age: - 7 What did you/your child like about the summer camp? She loved everything about the camp. The weekly "themes," the counselors, music, trips to park and walks around the neighborhood, creating the "sets" and the shows at the end of each week. What would you change about the program? Some weeks the group got a little big (20+) which is great for the camp, but they might consider splitting into different groups. Will you send your child back to this summer camp program next year? (Or would you if you could?) Yes Would you recommend this program to other parents for their child in the future? Highly recommendReview 2010 Summer Camps Survey
Age of Child: 6 Likes: Our daughter loved it, they had a theme each week that related to all the usual stuff kids learn about, community, friendship, nature, superheroes. it's relatively small so the kids get to know each other and at the end of each week they put on a short show as a group, no pressure of course... Kristin the teacher has a wonderful way with the kids and an obvious passion for theater, so our daughter came home doing all the hilarious theater warm-ups that actors do, tongue twisters and emotional faces and the whole bit. What would you change? Would you send your child(ren) again? Yes Do you recommend? Highly recommendReview 2010 Summer Camps Survey
Age of Child: 6 Likes: My child loved the small group, the different activities done at the camp, including, art, theater exploration of the neighborhood and especially, the music What would you change? I would not change anything. It was wonderful. Would you send your child(ren) again? Yes Do you recommend? Highly recommend(no subject)
my older daughter went to their summer program last year for a few weeks and had a blast. i was unable to attend the end of program shows, but my in-laws raved about them (fun and simple). unfortunately, i am unable to send my daughter again this year (scheduling conflicts), b/c she still talks about it. kristen lynch (founder) is lovely and playful and established relationships w/ the children quickly. i ran into her in the park recently and a year later she recognized me (i had to ask her how i knew her... scattered brain that i am ...) even though i was w/o my older daughter. impressive, no? (June, 2010)(no subject)
My very shy 5-yr old daughter did 2 weeks of the Young Players Theater summer camp and she loved it. It's a fabulous, creative environment and Kristen (the founder) is a warm, wonderful instructor, and they have great teaching artists as well. Each week had a theme, and I was impressed by all that the kids soaked in during that short time -- studying and interpreting books on the theme and making them into their own plays, creating sets and programs. At the end of each week the children put on these fun, imaginative, homespun productions that they would share with the families. All of the children seemed to really get a kick out of it. I recommend it very highly. (Recommended 1/10)(no subject)
My son takes her acting class afterschool @ PS 107 and as a theater artist myself, I was very impressed. (10/29/2009)(no subject)
We have them come to our school as an afterschool program and it is fantastic (12/11/09)
