Student Matinees
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is proud to welcome over 10,000 students each year to their Student Matinee Series that is focused on creating an intentionally intergenerational experience across all audiences. All schools attending student matinees receive a show-specific Study Guide, as well as have the opportunity to participate in a post-show discussion. We invite you to keep an eye out on this webpage for more resources that can help deepen your students’ experience around the shows!
Pricing and Logistics
All student matinee performances begin at 10:00am. Tickets are $5/student, and chaperones are free.
To register, please fill out this Student Matinee Interest Form. A member of our education team will follow up to book your field trip. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Lauren Katz at lkatz@steppenwolf.org.
NOISES OFF
(Recommended for grades 8+)
By Michael Frayn
Directed by Anna D. Shapiro
A CO-PRODUCTION WITH GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
Student Matinee Dates:
- Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 10:00am
- Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 10:00am
- Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 10:00am
- Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 10:00am
- Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 10:00am
- Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 10:00am
About the Show
The cast and crew of Nothing On are scrambling to prepare for opening night, but despite their earnest efforts, the production is an absolute mess. Line flubs and lost props and missed cues, oh my! Can this beleaguered ensemble overcome egos and jealousies to pull the show together in time? Featuring members of Steppenwolf’s dazzling ensemble, the classic farce calls out every “theatre-person” stereotype in the book. At the root of this over-the-top comedy is a story of perseverance. If all the odds are stacked against us, how do we come together and persist, and at what cost?
Recommended for grades 8th and up, NOISES OFF explores themes of ensemble, chosen family, comedy/farce, and perseverance. We highly recommend this play for theater and design classes and teachers looking to introduce students to their first theatrical experience.
LEROY AND LUCY
(Recommended for grades 8+)
By Ngozi Anyanwu
Directed by Awoye Timpo
WORLD PREMIERE
Student Matinee Dates:
- Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 10:00am
- Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 10:00am
- Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 10:00am
- Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 10:00am
- Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 10:00am
- Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 10:00am
- Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 10:00am
- Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 10:00am
About the Show
Inspired by the myth of blues musician Robert Johnson, the world's first ever rock star. A man rumored to have traveled to a crossroads at midnight, ready to sell his soul to the devil. For what you may ask? The secret to greatness. Our story finds us at that dreaded Mississippi crossroads. Nothing but two strangers, a guitar, and the dead of night. As Leroy and Lucy share their music, myths, and legends, we are left with one question at its core: What would you sacrifice for your dreams, and what stands in the way?
Recommended for grades 8th and up, LEROY AND LUCY explores themes of music, myths, identity, and storytelling. In addition to theater classes, we highly recommend this play for English Literature, History, and Music classes.
FOOL FOR LOVE
(Recommended for grades 10+)
By Sam Shepard
Directed by Jeremy Herrin
Student Matinee Dates:
- Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 10:00am
- Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 10:00am
- Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 10:00am
About the Show
May and Eddie reunite in a sweltering motel room in the Mojave Desert. As the two pick and prod at old wounds and fights, it’s clear that there’s a fine line between love and hate, and history always has a way of coming back to haunt us. Especially when the Old Man is watching. With tensions rising and emotional chaos threatening to ensue at every turn, Sam Shephard invites us to consider: How do we find agency to build the life that we want, and what are we willing to lose?
Recommended for grades 10th and up, Sam Shephard’s American classic explores themes of love, loss, family dynamics, relationships, and identity. In addition to theater classes, we highly recommend this play for English Literature and American History classes.
THE BOOK OF GRACE
(Recommended for Grades 9+)
By Suzan-Lori Parks
Directed by Steve Broadnax III
CHICAGO PREMIERE
Student Matinee Dates:
- Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 10:00am
- Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:00am
- Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 10:00am
- Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 10:00am
- Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 10:00am
- Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 10:00am
About the Show
“Strike One, Strike Two, Strike Three. 3-2-1-Boom.”
Vet is about to win an award for his work as a Border Patrol Officer. His estranged son, Buddy, has returned home for the ceremony, but are his intentions all honorable? Grace looks for the good in everything, but there’s only so much positivity one can hide behind before something snaps. Family secrets have a way of bubbling to the surface, and these three have enough to cause an explosion. In this brutal family drama from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan Lori-Parks, we are left to wonder: In the search for common ground, where do we balance the need for forgiveness and the desire for justice?
Recommended for Grades 9th and up, Lori-Parks' Chicago premiere explores themes of immigration politics, challenging family dynamics, grief, and identity. In addition to theater classes, we highly recommend this play for English Literature, American History, and Civics classes.
Study Guides
We invite you to take a look at past Study Guides—Study Guides are interactive resources created by Steppenwolf Education to deepen your experience with each produciton.