Student Matinees

Center Theatre Group’s Student Matinee Program is an award-winning, theatre-going experience for young people that inspires and nurtures their curiosity, scholarship, artistry and personal creativity.

The program includes the following components: 

• Professional, full-length performance of a main stage show with a pre-show welcome and a post-show Q&A discussion with the cast and crew.
• Educational materials to help prepare students to comprehend the world of the play, explore their own creativity, and make connections between the show and their own lives. 
• Educator Conference to explore the play in-depth and discuss important performance day logistics. 
• Optional Teaching Artist classroom visits before and/or after the show to lead discussions and activities.

There is no fee to participate in the program. However, educators are required to attend an Educator Conference and all groups must secure their own transportation to the theatre.

No. Participating groups are responsible for providing their own transportation.

Each application allows for a maximum enrollment of 50 students and up to five adult chaperones. Numbers can be updated based on availability.

All schools (including charter schools, private schools, home school networks) and community organizations working with young people are eligible to apply. Schools in Los Angeles County in under-resourced communities will receive priority for enrollment.

Yes. Multiple educators from the same school or community organization may apply.

Yes. All educators are required to attend an Educator Conference before attending a student matinee performance. Additional educators and adult chaperones are also welcome.

The number of groups varies depending on the performance venue and the number of participants proposed per group. The number of performances vary per production.

A pre-show welcome takes place 30 minutes before the listed performance times for each show. Specific performance day details including the length of the show are shared as part of your confirmation information and reviewed at the Educator Conference.

No. The post-show Q&A with the cast and crew is  a great opportunity for your students to ask questions, and it’s one of the highlights of program participation. The Q&A begins immediately after the performance and lasts 30 minutes.

Yes. Educators may allow students to bring their lunches, but they cannot be taken into the theatre. We suggest eating a snack prior to entering the theatre and then having lunch after the performance. 

Yes. Center Theatre Group will provide American Sign Language interpretation and/or Audio Description to accommodate students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, and/or have low vision. Accommodation can also be made for persons in wheelchairs or persons with disabilities and their attendants or companions. To reserve one or more of the services listed above for a student matinee performance, groups must contact Center Theatre Group at [email protected] when applying for a performance or 60 days before their scheduled visit. Outside services providers cannot be used at a Center Theatre Group venue.

Space in our Student Matinee Program is limited, but there is a low-cost way to bring your students to the theatre. Connect with our Group Bookings team who can arrange exclusive, specially priced seats for your school. 

First, thank you! Student Matinee performances would not be possible without the inspiring support of our donors. Please join us. Or give us a call—we’d love to hear from you and learn more about how we can support you in paying it forward. Please contact us at 213.972.7564.