Each year that our daughter has attended a Traveling Players program (3 summers and 2 winters), I have been so impressed not only by the wonderful and professional nature of the programs, but by the genuine camaraderie developed between the cast and the directors. No other program or experience has been more challenging or meaningful for my daughter.
D&D Improv
Current Grades 6-12
Virtual Class - Join from Anywhere
A New Kind of Ensemble: the Adventuring Improv Party!
Harness the popular role-playing game D&D to form a new kind of ensemble: the Adventuring Improv Party! Instead of retelling an already-existing story, we customize each adventure for maximum creativity and theatrical challenge! Actors will create bold characters, overcome obstacles, and make strategic and innovative choices on the spot as they use long-form improvisation as a storytelling tool. Each improv acting class will feed into the next, in an ongoing original story that encourages actors to work together both as characters and as collaborators designing an expansive story — their own epic adventure!
During this session, we will not be meeting on May 10 & May 24.
What Families Are Saying
Lisa, Parent
Traveling Players is perfect for children who want to nurture their creativity, build confidence and make life long friends.
Rachel, Parent
I’m not sure what kind of magic you worked, but [my son] left more excited and jazzed about something than we’ve seen him be in years! He said tonight was incredibly fun, and it awoke a new passion in him for acting! Thank you for being such an inspiration to him. It was great to see that sparkle in his eye!
Jody, Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
For over 20 years we’ve been creating great theatre in the great outdoors with teens and pre-teens. Our team will happily walk you through any one of our carefully crafted programs.
Who are your students?
Traveling Players students are highly collaborative young artists. They strive to challenge themselves artistically on stage and are kind, inclusive friends off stage. They know that a cohesive and effective ensemble needs a mix of experiences and backgrounds – performers with different skill sets and growth opportunities — all of whom are eager to support and challenge each other to do their best work.
We accept actors into our auditioned programs who are a good fit for our ensembles and our community – and they tend to stick around! Our retention rate is about 70%, and on average, they stick with us for 4 years.
Most of our students don’t stay in the arts – they have eclectic interests and are multi-talented. (Although those who have stayed in the arts have received impressive success.) Probably the most surprising discovery is that 20+ years on, this community remains in the heart of our students.
Who are your faculty?
Traveling Players faculty are a mix of professional educators, theatre artists and aspiring educators and theatre artists.
Each ensemble and technical theatre shop is led by an experienced educator-director, who carefully mentors our students through the creative process from rehearsals to the final performance. They excel at supporting and challenging each student, crafting a summer of discoveries and growth.
Our residential advisors, assistant directors, and technical artisans are a mix of professional educators, theatre artists, and college students who have completed at least two years of an undergraduate degree, generally in theatre or education.
Is there a Final Performance for classes & plays? Can parents attend?
Generally, yes and yes!
Classes: Most of our classes culminate in a Showcase on the final day of the session, right in the Studio. Family, friends, and fans are welcome!
Improv D&D and some of our advanced high school classes are more process-based. They are great for building skills, but they aren’t as much fun for audience members to watch. We will always note in the program details whether there will be a final performance, and you are always welcome to email us with any questions at outreach@travelingplayers.org.
School-Year Plays: Our school-year plays perform multiple times via a performance tour!
Over the course of two weekends, we pack all of our costumes, props, sets, actors, and technicians into one of our purple buses to travel around the DC Metro area. Each play is performed four times at various venues, including, but not limited to, professional stages, community centers, schools, children’s hospitals, and retirement homes. The final performance is always open to the public.
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