FREE STUDENT MATINEE PROGRAM
"This is the second Primary Stages show I've gone to. I like seeing them in person because it's about the experience and feeling the emotions the actors are trying to get you to feel. You can't get that if you are just watching something on your phone."
- Student, Hyde Leadership High School
New York City is widely regarded as one of the cultural capitals of the world, yet many of the young people who reside in our five boroughs have limited access to the artistic institutions that make our city great. High ticket costs put the possibility of attending live theater out of reach for many New York City public high school students, especially those who attend schools located in low-income and underserved areas of the city.
In 1995, Sue Breger founded the Primary Stages Free Student Matinee Program to counter this problem. Since then, we have continuously provided dedicated performances of our shows at no cost to New York City public high school students or their teachers. All of these performances are followed by a talkback with the cast and our playwrights often participate as well, giving students the unique opportunity to interact with the play's author. We also offer teachers a robust Study Guide for each play that includes an overview of themes, events, and vocabulary used, and links to articles and video resources that enhance the topics covered, discussion questions for in-classroom talks, and individualized and group writing exercises.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Primary Stages added a Virtual Option to our Free Student Matinee Program, which continues to this day. This online component includes access to recordings and study materials for select virtual plays and script-based learning modules for shows that have been previously staged at our theater.
If you are a teacher or principal at a public high school or at a Pathways to Graduation or YABC site and would like more information about joining the Free Student Matinee Program, please contact Bri Ng Schwartz, our Education & Community Outreach Manager, at bri@primarystages.org.
Primary Stages Free Student Matinee Program is made possible, in part, through the generous support of Con Edison, the Dr. Scholl Foundation, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Click the video below for an inside look at our Free Student Matinees. Primary Stages is the only Off-Broadway theater company that offers student tickets completely free of charge. If you would like to make a gift in support of this program, please click here or contact Erica Raven-Scorza, Director of Development, at 212.840.9705 ext. 214 or eraven@primarystages.org.