Transform Young Lives Through Theater

Hartford Stage is the leading provider of theater education programs in the state of Connecticut—more than all the other regional theaters combined. Education programs operate in and out of schools, year round.

Charitable support for Education programs is crucial. With the reliance on donations, Hartford Stage is able to provide scholarships and cost-free programs to all students or school groups that request assistance. Your support is appreciated at any level, and may be recognized in a variety of ways.

Student Matinee Series

Hartford Stage offers free and low-cost tickets to daytime performances of shows for local youth. Through generous funding support, we are able to provide one-third of our student audiences tickets and a pre-show, in-school workshop, free of charge, while the remaining tickets are substantially subsidized to meet the budgets of local school districts.

By sharing our mainstage productions with students, we acknowledge their rich emotional lives and tremendous capacity for empathy and understanding. By underwriting the cost of tickets and transportation, we relieve the financial barriers that too often prevent young people from experiencing live theater. This program also provides wonderful ongoing opportunities for sponsor employees to volunteer as ushers for, and witness firsthand, the impact that live theatre has for student patrons.

Connections Literacy Program

Our In-School Connections program uses theater skills to build comprehension skills and excitement about reading. A teaching artist visits a classroom to lead students through a dramatic exploration of a book before they read it – by the end of the week, the students can’t wait to find out what happens next. This process builds context, promotes empathy, and motivates students to read. Depending on the grade level, the book chosen supports the required curricula and focuses on social emotional learning, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, and financial literacy.

In Hartford schools, the student demographics are 92% BIPOC, and 80% qualify for free or reduced lunch. In 2023, we provided Connections to over 40 Hartford classrooms at no charge. Each student also received an individual copy of a book to add to their home library.

Summer Studio

The 5-week Summer Studio program provides a full day of arts programming similar to a camp setting. We use many tools to provide as much support and guidance to the youth participants as possible. Our staff participates in training related to first aid, social emotional learning, equity, diversity and inclusion, youth mental health and mandated reporting. Furthermore, we recently committed to employing a nurse and social worker to support students’ physical and mental health needs – services that many Hartford youth do not have when school is out of session.

This program brings together students ages 3-16 from towns throughout Connecticut. Through the support of funders, we are able to provide full or partial scholarships based on need using the HUD sliding scale guidelines and never turn anyone down in their request. In 2024, we’ve provided over 40 scholarships – proving the need and value this program and our funders bring. Furthermore, we provide the option for early drop offs, late pick-ups, and through the National School Lunch program, we participate as a lunch site, making free breakfast, lunch, and snacks available to students with food insecurities.

Breakdancing Shakespeare

2024 marks the 18th year Breakdancing Shakespeare has been fulfilling its goal of giving young people a professional experience in the performing arts industry by positioning them – the artists – alongside administrators, teachers, directors, and mentors; and, connecting young people to their community by producing their work at Hartford Stage.

Breakdancing Shakespeare invites local teens to combine the text of a classic Shakespearean play with hip-hop, rap, and breakdancing. Auditions are open to students throughout greater-Hartford; the strength of the program has always been in the diverse cast that is assembled, as collaboration with peers from many different backgrounds is central to the final product. To make this an accessible program for everyone, participants are paid a weekly stipend, which for many is the difference between exploring an art-form they love, or finding a temporary summer job. The 4-week rehearsal period culminates in an exciting, high-energy public performance that makes Shakespeare approachable for audiences of all ages.