english · istanbul
türkçe →ACTING CLASSES
IN ISTANBUL —
IN ENGLISH.
Techne Lab is an independent theatre company in Istanbul. We run acting, drama, musical theatre and playwriting workshops — several of them entirely in English, for expats, international students and anyone who would rather work in English.
WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT
A stage, not a classroom
You are not conjugating verbs. You are playing a character who needs something. Language becomes a tool rather than a subject — which is why it sticks.
Small groups
Twelve to fourteen people. Everyone speaks, everyone gets feedback, no one hides at the back. This is the single biggest difference from a language school.
Working artists teach
Our instructors are directors, performers and writers who work professionally. What you get is practice, not theory.
PROGRAMMES
Programme pages are in Turkish — but the programmes themselves run in English where marked. Write to us in English any time; we answer in English.
English Drama Lab
Twelve weeks of drama work in English. Scene study, improvisation and voice — for people who want their English to become usable, not just correct.
details →Techne Musical Lab
Eight months of acting, singing and dance in one integrated programme. Ends with a staged performance.
details →Broadway Musical Dance
Jazz and theatre dance foundations, Broadway repertoire. No dance background required.
details →Auteur Lab — Playwriting
Playwriting and dramaturgy. Structure, dialogue, conflict. You leave with written work.
details →WHERE WE WORK
Pera · Beyoğlu
European side, walking distance from İstiklal Caddesi and Şişhane metro. Historically the centre of Turkish theatre. English Drama and playwriting run here.
more about this location →Kadıköy
Asian side, reachable by Marmaray or ferry. Two studios with large floors — home to our musical theatre and dance programmes, plus English Drama groups.
more about this location →QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK
Do I need to speak Turkish to join?
No. Our English Drama programmes run entirely in English — from warm-ups to scene work to feedback. Many participants are expats, international students or professionals who have recently moved to Istanbul. Turkish is never required.
What English level do I need?
B1 and above is comfortable. You do not need to be fluent. Drama work actually suits intermediate speakers well, because the scene gives you a reason to speak rather than asking you to perform grammar. If you can hold a conversation, you can join.
I have never acted before. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Most people who join have no stage background. Groups are capped at 12–14 so everyone gets individual attention, and the first weeks are built to make the room safe before anything is asked of you.
Where are the classes held?
We work out of three partner studios — one in Pera (Beyoğlu, European side) and two in Kadıköy (Asian side). Which programme runs where is listed on each programme page. Some programmes open groups on both sides.
How long are the programmes?
Most run 12 weeks, one evening per week. Our musical theatre programme is longer — eight months, twice a week, ending in a performance with an audience. Playwriting is an intensive 8-week block.
Can I join mid-term?
Generally no — the groups build on each other week by week and a late arrival disrupts that. But new groups open regularly. Write to us and we will tell you when the next intake starts.
COME AND SEE.
Write to us in English — tell us roughly what you are looking for and we will tell you honestly whether we have something that fits.