Student Matinees
Center Theatre Group partners with local educators to host students from the greater Los Angeles area for select performances at the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Kirk Douglas Theatre. Our goal is to collaborate with classroom teachers to provide young people access to high-quality, live professional theatre as a core part of their basic education and to help them make meaningful connections between art and their lives.
Participating educators are expected to attend a conference and utilize educational materials to help students comprehend the world of the play, explore their own creativity, and show them the power of stories. Because space is limited, schools must apply for consideration.
Financial Commitment
Participating groups must provide their own transportation to the theatre.
Eligibility
All schools (including charter schools, private schools, home school networks) and community organizations serving young people are eligible to apply. Schools in Los Angeles County in under-resourced communities will receive priority for enrollment.
2023/24 Student Matinee Program Season
Dog Man: The Musical
For grades 1–5
Performances: November 28, 29, 30 and December 5, 2023, at 11am
Educator Conference*: October 26 or 28
Applications are now closed.
*Dates subject to change
A Christmas Story, The Musical
For grades 6–8
Performances: December 13, 2023, at 11am
Educator Conference*: November 16 or 18
Applications are now closed.
*Dates subject to change
Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet
For grades 9–12
Performance: February 7, 2024, at 11am
Educator Conference*: January 18 or 20
Apply
Applications will close on October 19
*Dates subject to change
Funny Girl
For grades 9–12
Performance: April 10, 2024, at 11am
Educator Conference*: March 14 or 16
Apply
Applications will close on October 19
*Dates subject to change
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions? Please review our FAQ’s below. For further questions, please contact us by email at StudentMatinees@CTGLA.org.
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.
No. There is no fee to participate in the program. However, educators are required to attend the Educator Conference and all groups must secure their own transportation to the theatre. We encourage you to speak with your school administrator or organization leader regarding grant and funding opportunities for buses. If you are near a Metro stop, you may also consider using public transportation.
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.
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.
Yes. The post-show Q&A with the cast and crew is an essential component of the program. It 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. Please note that backpacks are not permitted in the theatre, and we do not have the capability to check bags.
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. Accommodations 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 StudentMatinees@CTGLA.org when applying for a performance or 60 days before their scheduled visit. Outside services providers cannot be used at a Center Theatre Group venue.
While full vaccination and booster shots are no longer required, they are strongly recommended. Learn more about our Health & Safety Policy.
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.
Special Thanks
Center Theatre Group’s Student Matinee Program is made possible in part by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, California Arts Council, Renee & Meyer Luskin, The David William Upham Foundation, Sascha Brastoff Foundation, Lawrence P. Frank Foundation, Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, Deena and Edward Nahmias, Paramount Pictures, Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, and Center Theatre Group Affiliates.
Educator Resources & Discovery Guides
Each production is explored with teachers at a pre-performance conference, using informative Educator Resources and thought-provoking student Discovery Guides to introduce the world of the play. Visit show pages if you are looking for resources related to a specific past or upcoming production, or browse our archive in alphabetical order by show title.
Browse ArchiveHealth & Safety Policy
For information regarding our Health & Safety protocols, please visit ctgla.org/safety.
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