Student Matinees | American Shakespeare Center

Give your students a trip abroad – no passport required.

join the American Shakespeare Center for an interactive, personalized dive into Shakespeare.

Our Student Matinee series is one of the best ways to bring Shakespeare to life for your students. Whether it’s your students’ first experience the live arts, or an opportunity to bring the page to life as a supplement to your curriculum, our Student Matinee series has something for every class.

Your experience begins with a digital performance from the stage of the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre, the Blackfriars Playhouse. With your Student Matinee booking, you’ll receive a FREE study guide to supplement your lesson plans and unleash the wonder of Shakespeare in the classroom before and after the show. Plus – you can enhance your experience with a virtual workshop with our Education Team.

By putting words into action, our comprehensive approach sends students back to the classroom with a fresh look and appreciation for curriculum titles (and more).

TWO WAYS TO BRING THE ASC SAFESTART SEASON TO YOUR STUDENTS

ASC LIVE

Access to a synchronous, LIVE production broadcast from the Blackfriars Playhouse stage
Must be scheduled in conjunction with ASC’s schedule
A unique access link & experience provided for your venue ONLY

BLKFRSTV

Access to a cinema-quality streaming video of one of our available productions
Presented at the time of your choice (asynchronous)
Provided via a unique, timed password for a limited viewing period

YOUR CUSTOMIZABLE VISIT STARTS AT JUST $15 PER STUDENT FOR LIVESTREAM STUDENT MATINEES AND $10 PER STUDENT FOR BLKFRSTV PRE-RECORDED SHOWS.

make your reservation now: Click here

FALL 2020 OFFERINGS

OTHELLO

I AM NOT WHAT I AM.
If truth has lost its meaning, how long can love survive? Evil is everywhere in Shakespeare’s great tragedy of racism and jealousy, as the love of Othello and Desdemona is destroyed by envy and fact is twisted by innuendo. You’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat as the deadly machinations unfold.

Contains adult themes.

TWELFTH NIGHT

WHAT SHOULD I DO IN ILLYRIA?
Shipwrecked Viola is in love with Orsino…who is in love with Olivia…who is in love with Cesario…who is secretly Viola disguised as a man. In a world turned upside down, what could possibly go wrong (or right?)

Shakespeare’s beloved comedy of (mis)identity arrives in a 90-minute romp!

Perfect for audiences of all ages!

LIVE STREAM DATES

Wednesday, September 16 at 10:30 AM – Twelfth Night

Wednesday, September 23 at 10:30 AM – Othello

Wednesday, October 7 at 10:30 AM – TBD

Wednesday, October 14 at 10:30 AM – TBD

Please contact us with questions.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE

In addition to world-class performances, we offer virtual workshops on topics intended to cure your students’ ShakesFear. Add one or more of these workshops to your visit to create a learning adventure for your class unlike any other or spread out the workshops to fit your curriculum.

Explore the ASC Core Curriculum workshop menu >>

make your reservation now: Click here

Further Questions?

A wonderful, transformative experience! This was my third time bringing a group of undergraduates to the ASC, and [it has] never been more engaging and educational. The workshops, lectures, and performances were so thought-provoking and exciting that they provided discussion not only during our stay in Staunton, but also…during our class meetings the following week. I can’t wait for the next opportunity to bring a group of students to the ASC!

—Don-John Dugas, Kent State University

Do you require a deposit?

There is a 25% non refundable deposit that is due 5 days after the confirmation of your reservation. Your seating priority is based on the date your deposit is received.

Can I change my reservation number if I don’t have as many students?

We request your final headcount 3 weeks prior to your visit so your balance invoice can be updated before payment.

What is an actor talkback?

Immediately following the performance, a small group of actors convene on the stage and answer your students’ questions. This engaging opportunity lasts for 15 minutes after the conclusion of the performance.

Homeschool or co-op?

try our homeschool days!

Throughout the year, we offer Student Matinee performance dates, which are always available to homeschool families and co-ops. Several times throughout the year, we also offer exclusively-priced full-day Homeschool Days experiences that include a performance and workshops with our award-winning Education Team.

This Fall, our Homeschool Days will be conducted virtually with a livestream of a performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse and Zoom workshops with our Education Artists.

Learn More