Student Matinees
STC Learning provides teachers a virtual Preshow Workshop to share with students in preparation for the performance. After the show, there will be a talkback with the cast and an opportunity to reflect on the experience.
We also offer Spanish captioning for English Language Learners at select performances by request.
26/27 Season
Pricing
With support from our program sponsors, we offer the following price-per-ticket options based on the percentage of free and reduced priced lunches provided at your school.
- D.C. Public and Public Charter Schools: $5
- Title I Schools: $5
- Non-D.C. Public Schools and Home School Groups: $15
- Private/Independent Schools: $25
Testimonials
What teachers and students are saying about STC's student matinees:
“I love the set! Actors were AMAZING. It’s amazing to be afforded this opportunity to see live plays! This was my first play ever.”
–Student from SEED Public Charter School (D.C.) who attended King Lear
“Before I saw the play, I thought Shakespeare was simply difficult and boring language but the play brought it to life. In the play, it was much more interesting because they added scenes and modern characteristics to draw people my age in.”
–Student who attended A Midsummer Night’s Dream
“Amazing production value and modernization! Great acting, post-show talkback, all of it was wonderful. Thank you for making this possible for my students.”
–Teacher from Center City Public Charter School (D.C.)
“The play was absolutely fantastic! So uplifting and awe-inspiring for our group of English Language Learners who have never seen a live professional play. Enjoying a live, professional play of this caliber is transformational. It also helps them feel more confident in tackling Shakespeare in their English curriculum. For our emergent English learners, I couldn’t think of a better introduction to live theater in general and to Shakespeare in particular than this contemporary and hysterical production of Much Ado About Nothing.”
–Sharon Faber, Theater Program for Emergent English Learners Teacher at Watkins Mill High School (Montgomery County, MD)
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools can pay by check or with credit card.
We do not hand out physical tickets for student matinee performances. The group leader should check in with the STC representative in the lobby upon arriving at the theatre. Groups will be seated by STC staff in order of arrival.
We realize that the number of students attending may fluctuate as the performance date approaches. All requests to add or subtract tickets after the original Letter of Agreement is issued must be made in writing and no later than one month prior to your scheduled performance. Changes are subject to the approval of the theatre and will not be accepted once final payment is submitted.
Generally, our student matinees are recommended for grades 6-12. If a show has a more specific age recommendation, we will post it on our website and notify ticket holders. If there is any questionable content that comes up during the rehearsal process, we will notify the group leader and they can choose to cancel the ticket reservation or attend as planned.
Our theatres, Harman Hall and the Klein Theatre, are located in Penn Quarter in downtown Washington, D.C. Learn more about getting to our theatres.
There is no place for buses to park at the theatres. Buses should drop off students in front of the theatre and pick them up in the same location for dismissal.
Each play has a different duration. In general, the play and post-performance talkback with the actors will last no longer than three hours total. The School Programs Manager will be in touch with a more accurate run-time as your specific performance date gets closer.
Intermission will last 15 minutes. This time should be used for bathroom/water breaks and eating a snack. Additionally, concessions will be available during intermission.
IMPORTANT: No food or drink is allowed in the theatre. Water bottles with lids are fine. You may bring snacks/lunches for your students to eat in the lobby during intermission. If you do so, please bring one large box with your school name on it. STC will also provide bins for lunches before the show. Students must place snacks/lunches in your school’s designated bin before entering the theatre. The Learning staff will have the boxes out and ready for students during intermission.
All groups must leave the theatre when the event is over. Staff is not available to supervise and there are often rehearsals and other events that are scheduled in the theatre after the matinee. Groups are welcome to eat lunch at one of the many restaurants in Gallery Place or Penn Quarter.