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School Programs

Engaging the Next Generation

Arts Experiences. Arts Integration. Arts Training. 

Our school programs invite young audiences to the theater and bring theater tools into the classroom. Whether through an interactive workshop to open the world of stories with preschoolers or a post-show visit with one of our actors at a D.C. public school, we believe in the transformative power of theater.

 

  • D.C. Ticket Partnership

    Arena Stage welcomes teachers in D.C. public and charter schools to the theater for a complete performance experience, including subsidized tickets, in-class workshops and study guide materials.

    The 2024-2025 application deadline has passed, and all DC Ticket Partnership tickets have been assigned for the season.

    Learn more

  • Moving Stories

    Moving Stories is a vibrant and interactive experience that brings stories to life in your classroom. Using song, movement, sign language and storytelling, Moving Stories explores a beloved children’s book through creative drama and promotes literacy skills.

    Learn more

  • Study Guides

    A Student Study Guide provides context and activities to prepare students to attend Arena Stage productions.

    Learn more

D.C. Ticket Partnership

Through the D.C. Ticket Partnership
  • Students are exposed to professional theater of the highest quality in their community, developing and deepening a connection to and love of the arts.
  • Students engage with Arena Stage teaching artists and one another to think critically about theater and connect it to their lives.
  • Teachers can integrate the arts into their required curriculum with the support of Arena Stage.
2024-2025 Application

The 2024-2025 application deadline has passed, and all D.C. Ticket Partnership tickets have been assigned for the season.

If you would like to bring your school group to see a show at Arena Stage, please call Group Sales at 202-488-4380 or email groups@arenastage.org.

If you would like to be notified about future program opportunities, please email Grant Emerson Harvey, Learning Engagement Manager at gharvey@arenastage.org.

Participants

D.C. public and charter school teachers (grades 5-12, all content areas) apply to bring their classes to up to two Arena Stage matinees during the academic year.

Schools that do not qualify for the D.C. Ticket Partnership can purchase tickets through Group Sales.

Program Format

Open to a limited number of D.C. public and public charter schools each season via an application process. Partner teachers and students receive:

  • $4 tickets; up to 30 tickets including chaperones
  • Preview tickets for the teacher or principal
  • Arena's Page: A Student Study Guide for each student
  • A pre-show and post-show workshop with Arena Stage teaching artists
  • Curriculum Connections, a teacher resource suggesting discussion topics and activities that connect each play to Common Core standards
Contact

education@arenastage.org

Moving Stories 

Moving Stories
  • Promotes early literacy skills, such as increased vocabulary and reading comprehension while forming personal connections to stories.
  • Augments existing language-based curriculum.
  • Introduces effective techniques for self-control of body and voice.
  • Encourages imagination, problem solving and teamwork.
  • Provides innovative, theater-inspired classroom management techniques and vocabulary.
Participants

Moving Stories is for Pre-K3 through first grade classes or community groups throughout the D.C. Metro area.

Program Format

Each Moving Stories residency consists of three lessons/classroom visits centered on one book. Book list available upon request.

Cost

Moving Stories is priced on a need-based sliding scale. Please contact us for further information.

Contact

Grant E. Harvey, Learning Engagement Manager at gharvey@arenastage.org.

Moving Stories is made possible by the Nora Roberts Foundation.

Study Guides

To reproduce study guide in part or whole, please contact Rebecca Campana, School Programs Manager, at rcampana@arenastage.org.

2024/25 Season

Jaja's African Hair Braiding

The Other Americans

Data

Death on the Nile

 

Study Guides from Past Seasons

Sponsors

Arena Stage’s community engagement efforts are generously sponsored by Denie and Frank Weil; The Toni A. Ritzenberg Fund for Educational and Community Outreach Programs at Arena Stage; Joanne Barker; The Robert and Natalie Mandel Family Foundation; Rick and Carol Froehlich; The deLaski Family Foundation; Boeing; Comcast; Alice Shaver Foundation; GEICO; Venable Foundation; Hattie M. Strong Foundation; Nora Roberts Foundation; Enterprise Holdings Foundation; Friends of Southwest D.C.; and Actors’ Equity Foundation.