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.
25/26 Season
26/27 Season
Theatre Royal Bath’s Production of
THE SCORE
By Oliver Cotton
Directed by Trevor Nunn
Wednesday, OCT 7, 2026 | Harman Hall | 11am
How does art survive when despots rule?
Powerhouse Golden Globe-winning actor Brian Cox (HBO’s Succession) is directed by the legendary Trevor Nunn (Les Misérables, Cats) in The Score, which pits creativity against the whims of power.
In spring 1747, Johann Sebastian Bach (Cox) reluctantly visits the court of Frederick II, Europe’s most ambitious and dangerous leader. When the king presents Bach with a musical puzzle, the composer must confront how to rise to the challenge without forsaking his own morality. Brian Cox brings a “volcanic presence” (The Times (UK)) to Bach in the play’s only American engagement.
FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT
Written and Performed by Vanessa Severo
Directed by Joanie Schultz
Thursday, OCT 22, 2026 | Klein Theatre | 11am
There is an art to being alone.
On the eve of Frida Kahlo’s death, the pain and passion of an extraordinary life are laid bare. Brazilian writer and performer Vanessa Severo cracks open a powerful portal between herself and the celebrated Mexican painter, bringing breathtaking physicality and raw honesty to this “visually lush, emotionally rich” (Chicago Sun-Times) portrait of one of the world’s most iconic artists.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Simon Godwin
Wednesday, DEC 16, 2026 | Harman Hall | 11am
Wednesday, JAN 6, 2027 | Harman Hall | 11am
Thursday, JAN 7, 2027 | Harman Hall | 11am
“The course of true love never did run smooth.”
Lives are thrown topsy-turvy when four young Athenians flee into a forest ruled by mischievous fairies hell-bent on sowing confusion and merriment. Add a mysterious love potion, a befuddled group of amateur actors, and the miraculous transformation of a man into a donkey and you have Shakespeare’s most magical romantic comedy. Simon Godwin directs this joyous production, surrounding the acting company with eye-popping puppets directed and designed by master puppeteer Basil Twist (My Neighbour Totoro, Petrushka).
A RAISIN IN THE SUN
By Lorraine Hansberry
Directed by Tim Bond
Produced in Association with Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Thursday, FEB 4, 2027 | Klein Theatre | 11am
Thursday, FEB 18, 2027 | Klein Theatre | 11am
“What happens to a dream deferred?”
Love, struggle, and shelved dreams bind the Younger family under their single roof on the South Side of 1950s Chicago. When a life insurance check arrives after the death of their father, it sparks a chance to break free—but each family member sees a different future, and the choices they make test everything they believe about identity, pride, and possibility. As urgent now as when it first debuted in 1959, witness this powerful revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s seminal work that The New York Times called “The play that changed American theatre forever.”
ROMEO AND JULIET
By William Shakespeare
Thursday, APR 29, 2027 | Klein Theatre | 11am
Tuesday, MAY 11, 2027 | Klein Theatre | 11am
Wednesday, MAY 12, 2027 | Klein Theatre | 11am
Thursday, MAY 13, 2027 | Klein Theatre | 11am
“These violent delights have violent ends.”
Passions burn hot in the city of Verona. Bad blood boils over as the Montagues and Capulets draw swords against each other in the streets, while young Romeo and Juliet tend the flame of their newfound love. When they join hands in marriage against the wishes of their families, will they discover a power strong enough to end the ancient feud? Not seen on our mainstage in over a decade, Shakespeare’s timeless tale reemerges with a striking relevance.
FOLLIES
Book by James Goldman
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Produced Originally on Broadway by Harold Prince
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Directed by Matthew Gardiner
By Special Arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh
A Co-Production with Signature Theatre
Thursday, JUN 3, 2027 | Harman Hall | 11am
“Good times and bum times, I’ve seen them all and, my dear…I’m still here.”
A chorus of former showgirls reminisce and regret as they make one last visit to the theatre where it all began—when everything was possible and nothing made sense. Surrounded by the glamorous ghosts of their past selves, reality and memory blur in ways both dazzling and devastating in Stephen Sondheim’s sumptuous masterpiece.
With an epic cast of 32 and a 14-piece orchestra, Sondheim’s incomparable score, including “Broadway Baby,” “I’m Still Here,” and “Losing My Mind,” shines in spectacular style like you’ve never seen it before under the direction of Signature Theatre Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner.
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.