Student Matinee Field Trips
"Best Student Matinee Field Trips
Ever!"
Teachers, Make your plans now!
Prime Stage Student Matinee Field Trips
Prime Stage Theatre will once again offer its popular student matinee performances during the 2025/2026 school year as we celebrate our 29th Season of "With Three World Premier Plays written by Three Local Playwrights - Be the First".
Our Student Matinee Performances are In-Person and located at the New Hazlett Theater Center for Performing Art on Pittsburgh's North Side (6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh, PA 15212), and begin at 10:00am followed by a post-show discussion.
Limited Seating is available, please email studentmat@primestage.com
"I had to pass along that the kids responded so well to this production. I have students write a reflection on it afterwards, and they really enjoyed themselves" Teacher at West Shamokin High School
"As one of the teachers accompanying our students today, I want to thank you for your efforts in providing such a wonderful outreach to the schools in our area" Literature Teacher, Private High School
2025-2026 SEASON
Mr. Edgar A. Poe Presents: Tales of Mystery, Horror & Imagination
Written by Lawrence C. Connolly
Directed by Art DeConciliis
Master storyteller Edgar Allan Poe reimagines four classic tales that reveal as much about the nature of horror as they do about the dark genius that created them.
November 12 & 13, 2025
Freedom House: Giving Life a Second Chance
Written by L.E. McCullough
Directed by Scott P. Calhoon
Witness the 1967 creation in Pittsburgh’s Hill District of Freedom House Ambulance Service – America’s first mobile Emergency Medical Unit.
January 28 & 29, 2026
Speak
Based on the Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson
Written by Tammy Ryan
Directed by Dana Hardy
A moving story about a teenage girl who uses art to find her voice and redefine her identity after trauma. The play is an empowering testament to resilience and finding one's voice and strength; it is a seminal performance not to be missed.
May 6 & 7, 2026
"I have taken groups to these student performances; they are very well done and the students learned a lot." English teacher at North Catholic High School
"It was a superb production. I particularly appreciated the Q and A session which followed it." Teacher from West Allegheny High School.
PA AND NATIONAL STANDARDS:
All Prime Stage productions and Resource Guides address the following:
PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS FOR READING, WRITING, LISTENING SPEAKING
CC.1.3.9-10.A: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CC.1.3.9-10.C: Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
CC.1.3.9-10.D: Determine the point of view of the text and analyze the impact the point of view has on the meaning of the text.
CC.1.3.9-10.E: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it and manipulate time create an effect.
CC.1.3.9-10.F: Analyze how words and phrases shape meaning and tone in texts.
CC.1.3.9-10.G: Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment.
CC.1.3.9-10.H: Analyze how an author draws on and transforms themes, topics, character types, and/or other text elements from source material in a specific work.
CC.1.3.9-10.K: Read and comprehend literary fiction on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.
CC.1.5.9-10.A: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions on grades level topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CC.1.5.9-10.G: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English when speaking based on grade 9-10 level and content.
CC.1.6.11.A: Listen critically and respond to others in small and large group situations. Respond with grade level appropriate questions, ideas, information or opinions.
CC.1.6.11.C: Demonstrate awareness of audience using appropriate volume and clarity in formal speaking presentations.
CC.1.6.11.D: Listen to and acknowledge the contributions of other students well introducing ideas and opinions to enrich the discussion
NATIONAL ARTS STANDARDS
TH:Cr1.1.8
a. Imagine and explore multiple perspectives and solutions to staging problems in a drama/ theatre work.
b. Imagine and explore solutions to design challenges of a performance space in a drama/theatre work.
c. Develop a scripted or improvised character by articulating the character’s inner thoughts, objectives, and motivations in a drama/theatre work.
TH:Re7.1.8
a. Apply criteria to the evaluation of artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
TH:Re8.1.8
a. Recognize and share artistic choices when participating in or observing a drama/theatre work.
b. Analyze how cultural perspectives influence the evaluation of a drama/theatre work.
c. Apply personal aesthetics, preferences, and beliefs to evaluate a drama/theatre work.
TH:Re9.1.8
a. Respond to a drama/ theatre work using supporting evidence, personal aesthetics, and artistic criteria.
b. Apply the production elements used in a drama/theatre work to assess aesthetic choices.
c. Assess the impact of a drama/theatre work on a specific audience.
TH:Cr1.1.HSI
a. Apply basic research to construct ideas about the visual composition of a drama/theatre work.
b. Explore the impact of technology on design choices in a drama/theatre work
.
c. Use script analysis to generate ideas about a character that is believable and authentic in a drama/theatre work.
TH:Re7.1.HSI
a. Respond to what is seen, felt, and heard in a drama/theatre work to develop criteria for artistic choices.
TH:Re8.1.HSI
a. Analyze and compare artistic choices developed from personal experiences in multiple drama/theatre works.
b. Identify and compare cultural perspectives and contexts that may influence the evaluation of a drama/theatre work.
c. Justify personal aesthetics, preferences, and beliefs through participation in and observation of a drama/theatre work.
TH:Re9.1.HSI
a. Examine a drama/ theatre work using supporting evidence and criteria, while considering art forms, history, culture, and other disciplines.
b. Consider the aesthetics of the production elements in a drama/theatre work.
c. Formulate a deeper understanding and appreciation of a drama/ theatre work by considering its specific purpose or intended audience.
Performance Cancellation Policy
Prime Stage Theatre maintains a firm policy of not cancelling performances. For this reason, we urge all ticket holders to make every effort to attend. Our policy includes no refunds.
Student matinees - If you are unable to attend a performance due to school delay or cancellation, a representative must call Prime Stage Education Box Office at 412-841-7353 prior to the performance. We will make every effort to arrange another time for you to see that production. There is no guarantee, however, that seats for an alternate performance will be available
If Prime Stage cancels a performance due to inclement weather or circumstances beyond our control, we will offer a refund based on the amount of your purchase within 30 days of our cancelled performance.
Sign up for our Newsletter to stay informed.
Education Program Funding
The Grable Foundation, The Laurel Foundation, McKinney Charitable Trust of the PNC Foundation, Nora Roberts Foundation
Past Student Matinees
Magic of Live Theatre
The Importance of Field Trips
"Arts-based field trips can boost students’ academic performance, improve school engagement, and support social-emotional well-being."(Greene, Levenberg, and Pogue, 2021)
Accessibility Contact
For students that need special accommodations email us at
admin@primestagecom