Student Matinees

Student Matinees

All student matinee shows are weekdays at 10:30 am.

Bring your students to see a play at Hartford Stage! Each student matinee is followed by a talkback with members of the cast and creative team.

By Charles Dickens
Adapted & Directed by
Michael Wilson

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas

About the Show

A Hartford holiday tradition returns! This beloved classic comes together with with music, spectacle, and timeless storytelling in a story that has captivated generations.

Follow Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey through past, present, and future—discovering the joy of generosity, the power of connection, and the true spirit of Christmas. A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends.

Content Warning

Recommended for 4th grade and up.

Contains spooky characters and images that may be frightening for very young audience members. We think these plays will be best enjoyed by the ages recommended — but you know your students the best! We welcome parents and teachers to make their own decision based on these content considerations.

Educational Focus

Over 100,000 students have seen our production of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas since 1998. Students will delight in the magic and spectacle of this classic holiday story.

Discussion Themes & Topics

Greed and generosity
Responsibility to others
Transformation
Charles Dickens
Adaptation of literature
Industrial Revolution

2026 Matinee Show Dates

Tuesday

November 24

Tuesday

December 1

Wednesday

December 2

Thursday

December 3

Tuesday

December 8

Wednesday

December 9

Friday

December 11

Wednesday

December 16

By August Wilson
Directed by
Valerie Curtis-Newton

August Wilson's Radio Golf

About the Show

August Wilson’s final work in the American Century Cycle is set in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District at the dawn of the 21st century. Radio Golf brings us inside a friendship forged by shared dreams and strained by the cost of success.

As two longtime business partners play to win–on the course, in business, and in politics–every stroke carries consequences. In this gripping story, their friendship is put the the ultimate test. Is winning the game worth losing each other?

Content Warning

Recommended for 9th grade and up.

Frequent use of the n-word; adult language, including sexual references. We think these plays will be best enjoyed by the ages recommended — but you know your students the best! We welcome parents and teachers to make their own decision based on these content considerations.

Educational Focus

Radio Golf is the last play in Wilson’s Century Cycle; set in 1997, its period and language are accessible. Topics of injustice and political representation in the play feel contemporary.

Discussion Themes & Topics

Political Representation
Identity
Gentrification
Justice vs. Injustice
Embracing Past/Present/Future
August Wilson’s Century Cycle

August Wilson's Radio Golf

Matinee Show Date

Wednesday

April 28

Sample Study Guides

Student Ticket Policies

Programs and artists are subject to change. Hartford Stage cannot be responsible for the refund of expenses incurred by the school such as transportation or meals.

Hartford Stage cannot issue refunds for tickets, including tickets for students who miss a performance due to absence from school.

If a weather-related delayed school opening will cause your group to arrive late to the theater, please leave a message at (860) 520-7244 by 8:00 am indicating your expected arrival time, and a contact name and telephone number. If no call is received, Hartford Stage assumes that the school group will attend, despite any announced delays in the media.

When a majority of area schools are delayed, the curtain may be held for up to one-half hour at the discretion of Hartford Stage.

  • As schools use different criteria for closing due to weather, Hartford Stage makes every effort to perform unless the Governor issues a road closure.
  • If your school is closed due to weather, your school principal must leave a message at (860) 520-7244 before 8:00 am. If no call is received, Hartford Stage assumes that the school group will attend, despite any announced closures in the media.
  • Should a student group be forced to miss a performance due to weather-related school closures, Hartford Stage will make every effort to reschedule as a group whenever possible during the remainder of the run of the performance the tickets were purchased for, subject to space availability.
  • If a student group cannot be rescheduled, Hartford Stage may at its discretion issue “standing room” passes for any remaining performance of the production. Standing room passes permit students to attend any public performance of the production and provide teachers and students with the flexibility needed to assure that students might still enjoy the production. Standing room passes do not guarantee a seat, however seats are generally available even for sold-out performances due to no-shows. At the time of show, ushers will seat standing room ticket holders in the best seats available.

Discover More Ways to Learn

Education Programs

Introduce students to theater or develop performance skills with our youth education programs.

Learn More

College Groups

College Groups are eligible for special discount rates. Complete this form to reserve your tickets online.

Interest Form