Education
Inspiring Learning Through Live Theatre
Through immersive performances, hands-on learning opportunities, and meaningful connections with professional artists, Geva Theatre’s education programs help students explore creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. From student matinees and classroom resources to intensive training programs and workshops, Geva creates engaging experiences that bring stories to life and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Student Matinee Series
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Geva Theatre’s Student Matinee Series welcomes student audiences into the theatre for selected performances. You bring your students to an exceptional, professional school-day performance; we’ll make it easy, enriching, and fun.
About
Every year we select the productions we most want to share with student audiences for our Student Matinee Series. You bring your students to an exceptional, professional school-day performance; we’ll make it easy, enriching, and fun. We produce work that celebrates the human experience.
The purpose and power of a theatrical event is to come together in the theatre to discover a new understanding of ourselves and, in turn, others. Learning Standards say our students will be able to “interpret, analyze and evaluate narratives, poetry, and drama by making connections to other texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras, personal events, and situations.” In the theatre, making such connections is the work we do each and every day; Education at Geva is here to share the inquiry and discovery with your students.
Let us pose new questions and share fresh insights. You and your students will explore each play as we do, inside and out. Experience the vibrant detail of a fully-staged production and the expressive power of ideas brought to life by phenomenal artists. Then talk with those very artists at the theatre following the performance. When you make a Student Matinee reservation, you’re buying more than a ticket; you’re choosing a complete educational journey for your students.
Student Matinees Include:
Teacher Preview: Teachers who would like to attend a performance before bringing a group to a Student Matinee may request a complimentary preview ticket (for attending teachers only). Teacher previews are not offered for A Christmas Carol.
Discovery Guide: Packed with information about the play, relevant context, suggested discussion questions, and related activities, the Discovery Guide unlocks every production’s essential issues and avenues for classroom exploration. Discovery Guides are offered in both English and Spanish.
Post-Performance Talkback: Student Matinee performances are immediately followed by a conversation with cast members where students may respond to the performance and ask questions directly to the artists involved in the production.
Reservations, Pricing, and Policies:
All student matinee tickets are $22 per ticket. One (1) complimentary chaperone ticket is included for every 10 student tickets purchased.
A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the ticket total and the signed contract are due two weeks after the reservation is made. If the deposit and signed contract are not received, the reservation will be canceled.
Final confirmation of ticket numbers is due six (6) weeks prior to the performance date.
Final payments must be received four (4) weeks prior to the performance date or the reservation will be canceled. Reservations that only provide payment after the performance (including from a third party) will not be accepted. No refunds will be given once payment has been received or if less students attend on the day of the performance.
Student Matinee performances begin promptly at 10:30am. Groups are advised to coordinate their transportation to arrive at 10am and depart at approximately 1-1:30pm (varying by show), following the post-show talkback with cast members.
For bookings:
Kate Morris, Connectivity Assistant, (585) 420-2052 and kmorris@gevatheatre.org
Jacqueline Raymond Wegman, Director of Connectivity jwegman@gevatheatre.org
Passport Program
If you are an RCSD teacher or a teacher at a Charter School within the Rochester city limits and are interested in attending a Student Matinee performance with your students, contact 585-420-2052 to inquire about the possibility of free tickets through the Passport Program. A limited number of tickets are available for each production.
Additional Resources for Teachers
Education Subscription
We want you to become more familiar with Geva and enjoy the full range of our productions as you plan your students’ experiences. Geva offers a discounted education subscription package for teachers and other educators. A current school ID for full-time teachers, student teachers, school administrators, guidance counselors, school librarians, and other school faculty and staff is needed for verification (this offer excludes some performances and seating locations). To learn about our Education Subscription, call the Geva Box Office: (585) 232-4382.
Evening and Public Performances
We also welcome student groups to our evening performances and public matinees – with many of the benefits of our Student Matinee Series programming! To reserve tickets for evening performances or public matinees, contact the Box Office at (585) 232-4382, then let Geva’s education department know of your plans to attend so that we may include you in the production’s educational programming.
Geva's Education Program Supporters
Special Thanks to these generous supporters of Geva’s Education Program:
- William & Sheila Konar Foundation
- Lisk Morris Foundation
- ESL Charitable Foundation
- Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation
- Joseph & Irene Skalny Charitable Trust
- Donald F. & Maxine B. Davison Foundation
- J. M. McDonald Foundation
- Rubens Family Foundation
- Robert and Susan Touhsaent
- Richard & Joan Fenton
- Elizabeth Rennert
- Cornell/Weinstein Family Foundation
- Dr. Tomás C. Hernandez & Dr. Keith S. Reas
- Kathleen and Alfred Laitenberger
- Ames Amzalak Charitable Trust
Youth Camps and Classes
For Grades 3-6
Geva’s Musical Theatre camps focus on helping students explore theatre and discover their place in it through acting, dance, and vocal classes. Throughout the week, they also build collaboration skills as they work together to put on a showcase!
Geva Theatre Camps
Geva Theatre is not currently offering any musical theatre camps. Please check this page again later for updates and future opportunities.


Summer Academy
Summer Academy 2026
Rochester’s premier young actor training program is back! Geva is excited to announce auditions for Summer Academy 2026! In it’s 30th year, the focus of this summer is Shakespeare and Contemporary Plays. Students are taught and directed by Broadway and award-winning artists to master acting, voice, and movement—bringing everything from Shakespeare’s text to modern playwrights to life.
Summer Academy 2026 runs July 6 – August 8, 2026. Tuition is $1,750 (full and partial needs-based scholarships are available).
Audition Today!
Geva Summer Academy 2026 auditions can be submitted via video. If you’d like to submit a video audition, please reach out to our Director of Connectivity Jacqueline Wegman via email at jwegman@gevatheatre.org and include your name, an attached copy of your resume and headshot, and a link to your 2-minute memorized monologue video audition. Examples of contemporary and Shakespeare monologues can be found below.
More Info
Summer Academy is a five-week professional theatre training program for up to 30 selected young actors, ages 12 to 18, who wish to explore, define and develop the actor in themselves. Open to students of all levels of theatre experience, Summer Academy will provide process-centered training in intimate classes taught by theatre professionals. The summer culminates in a professional showcase.
Any questions please reach out to our Director of Connectivity Jacqueline Wegman via email at jwegman@gevatheatre.org or by phone (585) 520-2040.
Internships & Partnerships
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Education Committee
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Education & Engagement Staff
Connect Further
Engagement
Connecting Theatre Through Special Programs
- The Connectivity Project
- TYA Programs
- Essie Calhoun Diversity in the Arts Awards
Contact
We're Your Resource Too
We are always thrilled to discover how our work can fuel your teaching goals and inspire your students. We would be honored to serve as a resource for educators and students by providing resources, offering support and curricular inspiration, sharing in conversations with educators, or visiting your classroom to join a discussion with your students about any aspect of theatre.
Please feel free to email our Education & Engagement (Connectivity) department to share how we may be of assistance to you and your students.
Engagement
Connecting Theatre Through Special Programs
Engagement at Geva’s overarching objective is to connect more people and organizations with the productions presented on the theatre’s stages. Geva’s Engagement programs include the Essie Calhoun Diversity in the Arts Awards, symposiums and more.
The Connectivity Project
The Connectivity Project uses theatre to spark connection, creativity, learning, and community engagement across Rochester — uplifting diverse voices through accessible, collaborative arts experiences
Providing a Number of Workshops:
Corporate
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Professional Development
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Family
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TYA Programs
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Essie Calhoun Diversity in the Arts Award
Geva Theatre annually presents the Essie Calhoun Diversity in the Arts Award to an individual who or organization that promotes and encourages diversity in the arts. The award recognizes that art allows for the expression of truths and beliefs, and helps us gain an understanding of one another and our world. It further acknowledges that a mixture of cultures stimulates creativity, the sharing of ideas, and the building of a common collective future, which has always been close to Ms. Calhoun-McDavid’s heart.
The award was established in 2011 and named in honor of Essie Calhoun-McDavid, retired Chief Diversity Officer, Director of Community Affairs, and Vice President of Eastman Kodak Company. Ms. Calhoun-McDavid, a longtime advocate for diversity in the arts, was the first recipient of the award.
The award is designed by renowned Rochester glass artist Nancy Gong.
Past Recipients
- Dr. David Anderson (Sankofa)
- The Center for Youth Strings for Success
- Rachel Y. DeGuzman
- Shawn Dunwoody
- Garth Fagan
- Reenah Golden
- Delores Jackson Radney
- Tonia Loran-Galban (Akwesasne Mohawk, Bear Clan)
- Debora McDell-Hernandez
- Nydia Padilla-Rodriguez
- School of the Arts
- Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan
- David Shakes
- Dangerous Signs
- Thomas Warfield
Photos by Alex John-Hamer
Engagement Committee
Subheading
Description
Connect Further
Education
Inspiring Theatre Through Live Learning
- Student Matinees
- Youth Camps & Classes
- Summer Academy
- Internships & Partnerships
Contact
We're Your Resource Too
Please feel free to email our Education & Engagement (Connectivity) department to share how we may be of assistance to you and your students.
ACCESS
Making Theatre Accessible to All
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Accessibility Offerings
Sign Interpreted Performances
A Sign Language Interpreted performance is offered for every One Geva production. Be sure to mention your interest in sign interpretation when reserving tickets, or select the house right section of the orchestra in the Wilson Stage in order to secure the most advantageous seating.
Sign Interpreted Performances:
- Thursday 9/24/26 – 7:30pm
- Thursday 10/29/26 – 7:30pm
- Thursday 11/12/26 – 7:30pm
- Thursday 12/3/26 – 7:30pm
- Thursday 1/28/27 – 7:30pm
- Saturday 1/30/27 – 7:30pm
- Thursday 3/11/27 – 7:30pm
- Thursday 4/22/27 – 7:30pm
- Thursday 5/13/27 – 7:30pm
- Thursday 5/27/27 – 7:30pm
- Thursday 6/10/27 – 7:30pm
Audio Described Performances
- Sunday, 9/20/26 – 2:00pm
- Sunday 11/1/26 – 2:00pm
- Sunday 12/13/26 – 2:00pm
- Sunday 1/24/27 – 2:00pm
- Sunday 3/7/27 – 2:00pm
- Sunday 4/18/27 – 2:00pm
- Sunday 5/16/27 – 2:00pm
- Sunday 6/6/27 – 2:00pm
Open Captioned Performances
- Saturday 9/12/26 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 9/23/26 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 9/23/26 – 7:30pm
- Saturday 10/17/26 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 11/11/26 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 11/11/26 – 7:30pm
- Wednesday 11/18/26 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 11/18/26 – 7:30pm
- Saturday 11/21/26 – 2:00pm
- Saturday 11/28/26 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 12/9/26 – 7:00pm
- Wednesday 12/16/26 – 7:00pm
- Saturday 1/16/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 1/27/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 1/27/27 – 7:30pm
- Saturday 2/27/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 3/10/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 3/10/27 – 7:30pm
- Saturday 4/10/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 4/21/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 4/21/27 – 7:30pm
- Saturday 5/1/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 5/5/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 5/5/27 – 7:30pm
- Wednesday 6/2/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 6/2/27 – 7:30pm
- Saturday 6/5/27 – 2:00pm
- Saturday 5/29/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 6/16/27 – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 6/16/27 – 7:30pm
26/27 Season Announcement - ASL Interpreted Video
ROC Geva Pass
Geva Theatre is proud to work with the The City of Rochester on offering the ROC Geva Pass. Through this partnership, Geva offers two hundred complimentary tickets for each Subscription Series Production to the residents of the City residing in specified zip-codes (14605, 14606, 14608, 14611, 14613, 14615, 14616, 14619, and 14621).
Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Restrictions include, but are not limited to:
- 4 tickets per household
- Limited to the first two weeks, not valid Opening Night
- Tickets are non-exchangeable
- Special Programming, including Elvis my Way and Get Happy, are not eligible for this program
ROC Geva Pass Release Dates
Anastasia – SOLD OUT
- ROC Geva Pass Release Date: April 29, 2026, at noon.
A Chorus Line
- ROC Pass Release Date: August 20, 2026, at noon.
Topdog/Underdog
- ROC Pass Release Date: September 17, 2026, at noon.
All the Devils are Here
- ROC Pass Release Date: December 17, 2026, at noon.
Million Dollar Quartet
- ROC Pass Release Date: February 4, 2027, at noon.
Purpose
- ROC Pass Release Date: March 18, 2027, at noon.
Laughs in Spanish
- ROC Pass Release Date: April 8, 2027, at noon.
The Da Vinci Code
- ROC Pass Release Date: May 6, 2027, at noon.
How to Obtain
Tickets are released 4 weeks ahead of each production. Residents wishing to obtain complimentary tickets through the ROC Geva Pass may call the Geva Box Office at 585-232-GEVA(4382) or visit the Box Office in-person at 75 Woodbury Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14607.
Limited to 4 tickets per household, for groups larger than 4, please email RocGevaPass@gevatheatre.org
Stay in the Know
To stay up to date with information regarding our ROC Geva Pass program, including ticket release date reminders, upcoming events, and more, please email RocGevaPass@gevatheatre.org
Thank You!
We would like to thank our partner organizations for making the ROC Geva Pass a success and raising awareness of this incredible program with their constituents and communities:
- Beyond the Sanctuary
- Ibero-American Action League
- Baden Street Settlement
- Soulstainable Living
- Rochester Public Library system’s participants in the Safe to Be Smart teen program
- Center for Youth
Tours
Interested in touring Geva? Set up a tour with our knowledgeable staff and opportunity to ask theatre professionals the ins and outs of working in the field!
Connect Further
Education
Inspiring Theatre Through Live Learning
- Student Matinees
- Youth Camps & Classes
- Summer Academy
- Internships & Partnerships
Engagement
Connecting Theatre Through Special Programs
- The Connectivity Project
- TYA Programs
- Essie Calhoun Diversity in the Arts Awards
Contact
We're Your Resource Too
Please feel free to email our Education & Engagement (Connectivity) department to share how we may be of assistance to you and your students.





