Student Matinee Program

Education sits at the core of Round House Theatre’s mission. Round House’s Student Matinee Program provides school groups with a comprehensive, exceptional theatrical arts experience through a package of opportunities designed to engage, educate, and entertain. Seeing a great play does not simply introduce students to the world of theatre; it excites curiosity, incites empathy, and encourages independent thinking, proving to be an invaluable educational tool for holistic learning in the modern world.

Student Matinees at our Theatre in Bethesda:

•   Student Matinee performances begin at 10:00 am
•   Performances are at Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway in Bethesda (one block from Wisconsin Avenue and the Bethesda Metro station)
•   High school students are all offered one FREE ticket through our Free Play program, which may be applied to one of our regularly scheduled evening performances or to your group attending a Student Matinee.
•   One free adult chaperone ticket for every 10 student tickets
•   Study materials help teachers and students prepare for and follow up the performance
•   Post-Show Discussions immediately follow every Student Matinee performance

2023-2024 Student Matinee Schedule

The Mountaintop
By Katori Hall
Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg
A moving story about the final days of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thursday, October 19
Wednesday, October 25
Thursday, November 2

A Hanukkah Carol, or GELT TRIP! The Musical
Music by Aaron Kenny
Lyrics by Rob Berliner
Book by Harrison Bryan and Rob Berliner
Original Concept by Harrison Bryan
Directed and choreographed by Marlo Hunter
A hilarious new holiday classic
Thursday, December 14
Wednesday, December 20

Next to Normal
Book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Music by Tom Kitt
Directed by Alan Paul
The Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical about a family's struggle with the ripple effects of mental illness
Wednesday, February 7
Wednesday, February 14
Wednesday, February 21
Wednesday, February 28

A Jumping Off Point
By Inda Craig-Galván
Directed by Jade King Carroll
A witty and complex world premiere about authenticity and authorship
Wednesday, May 1

Topdog/Underdog
By Suzan-Lori Parks
Directed by Jamil Jude
A gripping Pulitzer Prize-winning play about two brothers confronting the challenges of racism and poverty
Thursday, June 6

Registration
For more info or to book tickets, contact Round House Theatre Education at 301-585-1225 or email Education@RoundHouseTheatre.org and include your name, school, and preferred date. Registrations are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrations are not final until they have been confirmed via contract.

After-School Residencies

Let your students explore unique ways to tell stories through theatre and visual arts at your own school through our After-School Residencies. Arranged through your school’s PTA or after-school coordinator, students are able to participate in these opportunities in the comfort of a known environment, and to take advantage of school-sponsored transportation.

Classes feature a multi-arts approach to bringing stories to life onstage. Students will create theatre through acting, playmaking, and design. Our classes encourage creativity while introducing the art form of theatre and developing critical thinking, cooperation, and confidence.

Classes are taught by professional teaching artists with backgrounds in theatre and education.

Our staff will work with partnering schools to ensure that After-School Residency content is tailored to the interests and grade level of participants. All classes have the opportunity to culminate in an informal sharing for family and friends.

To inquire about Round House Theatre coming to your school email Education@RoundHouseTheatre.org or call 301-585-1225. We are happy to bring one of our listed after school programs or to work with you to create one specifically for your students.

Theatrical Adventures – Destination Imagination! (Grades K-2)
Round House Theatre brings their multidisciplinary approach to theatre to your school! Each week students encounter a new and exciting location—from Outer Space to Antarctica—using their imaginations! The residency exposes students to a variety of cultures and experiences, while introducing the fundamentals of theatre through movement, design/visual arts and drama.
Theatrical Adventures – Dramatic Dinos! (Grades K-2)
Round House Theatre brings their multidisciplinary approach to theatre to your school! Each week, students will explore the fun of creating characters and the basics of theatrical storytelling. Let your Dino-loving student imagine everything from being a dinosaur, to owning one as a pet! Our classes encourage creativity while developing critical thinking, cooperation, and confidence.
Theatrical Adventures – Into the Wild! (Grades K-2)
Explore the wild side of the animal kingdom in a classroom via Round House Theatre’s multidisciplinary approach to theatre. Each week, students will discover new creatures—from the smallest mouse to the most magnificent dragon—through creative dramatics, movement, and visual arts.
Theatrical Adventures – Superheroes! (Grades K-2)
Round House Theatre brings their multidisciplinary approach to theatre to your school! Each week, students will activate their imaginations using drama, movement, and design to explore stories about all kinds of superheroes - from those who wear capes to those around the neighborhood. Creative and fun activities promote confidence, self-esteem, and creative expression while working on skills such as active listening, teamwork, and sharing.
After-School Acting (Grades 3-5)
Enter the world of make believe, where you can be anyone you want to be. Led by Round House Theatre teaching artists, students will learn the basics of acting, improvising, and interacting with people on stage.
Fractured Fairy Tales OnStage! (Grades 3-5)
Round House Theatre brings their multidisciplinary approach to theatre to your school! What if Goldilocks and the Three Bears decided to become friends? What if the princess refused to kiss that frog? Students reinvent their favorite fairy tales and learn how to tell them in a whole new way using acting, movement and design. The possibilities are endless! Led by Round House Theatre teaching artists, students create their own adventures by taking control of stories and characters and re-imagining them through improvisation and playmaking.
Make Me Laugh – The Art of Improv! (Grades 3-5)
Round House Theatre brings the fun and games of theatre to your school! Tickle your funny bone! Students will learn to think quickly, make big choices, and create collaboratively while exploring the humor of everyday life through improvisational games and exercises.
Myths and Legends OnStage! (Grades 3-5)
Round House Theatre brings their multidisciplinary approach to theatre to your school! From Apollo to Percy Jackson there are countless stories of great “larger-than-life” characters to discover in this exciting class! Students will explore amazing Myths and Legends from around the world and ultimately create stories of their own. This residency will culminate in an open session and sharing of student work.
Theatrical Adventures – Stories OnStage! (Grade K-2)
Round House Theatre brings their multidisciplinary approach to theatre to your school! Students explore various elements of theatre using a different story each week. We will bring the world of the story to life using acting, movement and design. Our classes encourage creativity while introducing the art form of theatre and developing critical thinking, cooperation, and confidence.

In-School Residencies

Round House Theatre offers an array of residencies to allow you to bring the theatre arts into your school. Residencies bring our professional teaching artists into your classroom to provide activities that are interactive, fun and educational. Students learn the creative process, teamwork, and communication skills in an arts education format.

Working in accordance with Maryland State Arts Standards, Common Core, and National Arts Standards, our residencies seek to follow COMAR regulations in an effort to make your school or organization a high-performing school by Maryland arts expectations.

We are happy to customize a program for your school’s curriculum, needs and goals, so please get in touch with us! Funding is available to make this an affordable option for your classroom.

For Elementary Schools
Round House Theatre Education’s In-School Arts Integration Residency is a one-week program for grades 2-3, focused on using theatre arts instruction to facilitate learning in the ELA classroom, as well as to develop 21st Century Skills that will impact student growth in and out of the classroom.

Round House Theatre Education’s Theatre Education Residency is a one-week program available for grades K-5, focused on learning theatrical skills for application in the creation of theatre, as well as development of 21st Century Skills that will impact student growth and development in and out of the classroom.

For Middle Schools
Round House Theatre Education’s Production Residency is a long-term residency, available for middle schools, focused on learning theatrical skills for application in the creation of theatre, which leads to a public performance of a play or musical. This residency will be tailored to the specific needs of the school and students, and may be offered as an in-school or after school program.

For All Age Levels
Round House Theatre Education is also available to create a residency or workshop designed to meet the goals of your school, classroom and students. For instance:

Offer a series of sampler workshops for your class to experience the different artistic disciplines and careers in theatre.
Book a stage combat, acting, voice, or movement workshop for the cast of your school play.
Take a field trip to Round House Theatre and participate in a workshop on-site in conjunction with a backstage tour.

To get more information on Round House Theatre Residencies, please email Education@RoundHouseTheatre.org or call 301-585-1225.