Embark on an unforgettable field trip with our Educational Matinees at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, where students can see World Class theater during the school day. These matinees offer a transformative experience, allowing kids to immerse themselves in live theater in our custom-built venue. Enjoy a unique educational excursion as we present the same exciting productions that light up evenings and weekends at Cincy Shakes, specially scheduled at 10 am during the school week for student audiences with a Q&A following each show. See the 2024-2025 School year line up and additional information below:
RUNNING TIME: 2.5-3 hours, depending on the length of the play
RECOMMENDED AUDIENCE: Varies by show, usually 6th grade and up.
RECOMMENDED AUDIENCE SIZE: Up to 230-260 at each performance- some shows accommodate more than others.
COST: $14 per student. Groups over 30 receive up to five free chaperone tickets.
Book early! Dates fill up fast and are first come, first served. Groups range from two to 230! Small groups will be combined with others. Schedule is subject to change.
2024-2025 Educational Matinees
Frankenstein:
Tuesday October 15, 2024 @ 10am
Friday October 18, 2024 @ 10am
Tuesday October 22, 2024 @ 10am
Wednesday October 23, 2024 @ 10am
Tuesday October 29, 2024 @ 10am
Wednesday October 30, 2024 @ 10am
Thursday October 31, 2024 @ 10am
Twelfth Night:
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 @ 10am
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 @ 10am
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 @ 10am
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 @ 10am
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 @ 10am
A Room in the Castle:
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 @ 10am
Wednesday, February 5, 2025@ 10am
Macbeth:
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 @ 10am
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 @ 10am
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 @ 10am
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 10am
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 @ 10am
Tempest:
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 @ 10am
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 @ 10am
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 @ 10am
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 @ 10am
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 @ 10am
Frequently Asked Questions
Email emily.bruns@cincyshakes.com to reserve seats and complete the booking process. Let us know your group size and a few dates you are interested in that would work for you and we will get right back to you!
Payment:
Full payment is due at least 45 days before the performance meaning that there can be no changes made to number of seats in the reservation after that point. If you are booking a show that is in less that 45 days, full payment will be required at the time of booking.
Chaperone Tickets:
In groups over 30 for the same date, chaperone tickets are complimentary up to 5 per group. Additional chaperone tickets may be purchased at the same discounted student ticket price if you have more than 5.
These shows are open to school groups, retirement communities, and homeschool students and co-op/networks. If your group is small (between 1-10 tickets) full payment must be made in advance to hold the seats and your flexibility to combine with other groups to reach the minimum needed to hold a show is appreciated.
No food or drink- including water bottles- may be consumed while in the show. All food and drink must remain in the lobby and be eaten/drank there only and each group must clean up after themselves.
Bus Parking is the responsibility of the visiting group:
CSC is a downtown venue and we do not have our own parking lot. There are pay lots and metered parking located in downtown Cincinnati but buses likely require additional parking space. It is best to discuss downtown parking options with your bus company and/or driver in advance.
Other Important Information
Our theater seats up to 230 for most productions.
The theater lobby will be open by 9:15am on show mornings.
Educational Matinees will begin with a short intro discussion at 9:45am and include a Q&A session following the show (depending on time.)
The show begins at 10am unless otherwise noted.
Study guide materials will emailed to reserved groups in advance.
Seating is first come, first serve -but groups will be sat in a block together.
Additional performances can sometimes be added based on increased interest but there might be additional cost to do this. It is always a good idea to email us and discuss your needs- we will do all we can to accommodate everyone!
Our Educational Matinees are extremely popular- BOOK NOW to guarantee your group’s visit. All performances are first come, first served.
Dates are subject to change based on interest. A minimum of 100 seats must be sold in order for the performance to take place. Small groups or pairs may be asked to switch dates to combine with other small groups- your flexibility and cooperation is greatly appreciated!
Any Questions? - Please email us at education@cincyshakes.com
Discover the transformative power of the arts in education with our enriching workshops, brought to you by skilled actors and teaching artists from CSC. Our sessions offer a dynamic approach to learning, emphasizing the vital role of the arts in enhancing traditional curricula. Students have the unique opportunity to delve into literature and drama, from reenacting Shakespearean scenes to mastering stage combat, fostering a deeper connection with their studies. Choose from our diverse workshop offerings below each tailored to ignite passion and creativity while supporting your curriculum goals!
PROGRAM LENGTH: One class period up to one full day. Residencies of multiple days/weeks are available—please call to discuss.
RECOMMENDED AUDIENCE: 5th grade and up
RECOMMENDED AUDIENCE SIZE: Up to approximately 50 students per workshop
COST: $300 and up, depending on length of program and classroom size. Please email or call to for a quote.
Shakespeare Spotlights Workshop
Objective: Students will deepen their understanding of the themes, characters, and language of a Shakespeare play through analysis, exploration, interpretation, and interactive activities.
Available plays: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Middle School/High School), Macbeth (High School), Romeo and Juliet (High School), Julius Caesar (High School), Othello (High School)
Recommended for: English/Language Arts classes studying a specific Shakespeare play.
Dynamic Duels: The Art of Stage Combat
Objective: Students will learn the fundamental techniques and principles of stage combat, develop an understanding of choreography, timing, and safety measures, and ultimately gain the skills to convincingly and safely execute dynamic fight scenes on stage.
Recommended for: Drama classes or clubs looking to incorporate stage combat into their performances or expand their student’s theatrical skills.
Sparking Creativity: An Introduction to Theatre and Improvisation
Objective: Students will explore the foundational elements of theatre, focusing on acting basics and improvisational techniques. Through performance-based games and activities, they will learn to foster creativity and teamwork, and ultimately gain the confidence to express themselves both on and off stage.
Recommended for: Classes, clubs, or communities looking for a fun workshop to introduce theatre and improvisation to younger students (grades 3-8).
Once Upon A Time…: A Storytelling Workshop
Objective: Participants will creatively engage and enhance their imagination, sensory memory, and sense of play, through collaborative theatRE games and theatrical performance activities structured around stories and how to tell them.
Recommended for: Senior centers or communities seeking creative and interactive opportunities.
Make Good Choices: An Advanced Acting, Comedy, and Character Workshop
Objective: Students will expand their knowledge and understanding of advanced theatre techniques and the art of improvisation, hone their character development skills, and refine their comedic timing to confidently deliver dynamic and engaging performances on stage.
Recommended for: High School Drama clubs or classes seeking tools to further develop their students' theatrical capabilities. This workshop can be tailored to help students craft their characters for a specific production or performance.
Ready to book? Email education@cincyshakes.com
Explore the world of Shakespeare with our two unique interactive performance options, designed to fit seamlessly into your classroom setting. Our first option, "Classroom Classics," offers a concise 45-minute performance, bringing abridged versions of Shakespeare's famous plays directly to your classroom. For a more in-depth experience, choose "Shakespeare Express," which not only includes a performance but also adds an engaging workshop, extending the session to 90 minutes. Both programs are tailored for intimate settings, focusing on one-on-one engagement with students rather than full-scale productions in auditoriums, making Shakespeare's works both accessible and relatable during class time.
SHAKESPEARE EXPRESS
Invite actors from the Cincinnati Shakespeare Touring Company to perform interactive abridged versions of Shakespeare’s most famous plays! Your students will dive deeper into the characters, themes, and plot of Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, or A Midsummer Night’s Dream through the performance of select scenes combined with interactive activities.
Available: October 21, 2024 – May 30, 2025
Run Time: 90 minutes
Recommended Audience: 4th grade and up
Max number of students: 50
Cost: $900
CLASSROOM CLASSICS
Studying Shakespeare but have limited class time? Bring an abridged version of Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, or A Midsummer Night’s Dream to your classroom. These bell-length performances are specifically designed to fit within your classroom and your class period, requiring no more preparation than sliding around a few desks. There’s even time for a Q&A with the actors following the show.
Available: October 21, 2024 – May 30, 2025
Run Time: 45 minutes
Recommended Audience: 4th grade and up
Max number of students: Up to 100 depending on performance space
Cost: $500
Ready to book? Email education@cincyshakes.com
PROJECT38 is a transformative and free educational outreach program from Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, designed to inspire creativity in underserved local schools. This unique initiative allows students to work closely with CSC teaching artists throughout the academic year, crafting inventive interpretations of one of Shakespeare's 38 plays with no cost to the school. The culmination of this project is a vibrant festival in the spring, where students showcase their work on our main stage to an audience of peers, parents, teachers, and the community. Aimed at enhancing Shakespeare comprehension, boosting academic performance, and improving students' confidence and public speaking skills, PROJECT38 is an all-encompassing program that welcomes students of all ages and encourages a wide range of creative projects, from theater to visual arts. If you believe your school would be a good fit with this program, applications open in the summer for the upcoming school year! Applications for 2023-2024 are currently closed.
2024 Festival is April 22-May 1, 2024
2023-2024 Participating Schools:
Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies
Batavia Middle School
Cincinnati Achievement Academy
Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy
Cincinnati Ohio Technology Academy
Covedale Elementary School
Deschene Homeschool
Fairview-Clifton German Language School
Gilbert A Dater High School
Hays-Porter School
Holmes High School
IDEA School
Lakota East High School
Leap Academy
Liberty Junior High School
Mouth of the Wolf Productions
Oak Hills High School
Parker Woods Montessori
Pleasant Hill Elementary
Pleasant Ridge Montessori
Princeton High School
QKIDZ Dance Team
Rockdale Academy
Sands Montessori
School for the Creative and Performing Arts
Scott High School
Shroder High School
Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students
Springdale Elementary
St. Bernard School
St. Francis Desales School
Sycamore High School
Taft High School
Walnut Hills
Withrow High School
Zion Temple Christian Academy
Frequently Asked Questions
Actors from Cincinnati Shakespeare's resident ensemble partner with over 38 schools as teaching artists. Throughout a 9-month academic year, they guide groups of 5-35 students in creatively interpreting one of Shakespeare's 38 plays, transforming traditional learning methods into active, engaging experiences.
The benefits of PROJECT38 are substantial. Instead of solely reading and listening to lectures, students actively engage in creating, performing, acting, writing, thinking, and problem-solving, deepening their understanding of Shakespeare's works. This method has resulted in quadrupled Shakespeare comprehension grades in some schools, a 47% increase in overall academic performance, and a 75% improvement in students' attitude, confidence, motivation, and public speaking ability.
PROJECT38 is a free educational outreach program, making it accessible to all schools.
Yes, PROJECT38 is designed for a wide range of students, from elementary to high school. Our teaching artists tailor lesson plans to meet the specific needs and experience levels of each classroom.
Not at all. PROJECT38 encourages a variety of creative expressions, including music, visual arts, and even unique projects like culinary creations inspired by Shakespeare. We aim for a diverse range of interpretations and presentations of Shakespeare's stories.
Details and application forms for the upcoming school year will be available in the summer.