Education

Education at Geva uses theatre as a vehicle for learning, connection, and community. Through theatre education, we foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and empathy while uplifting student voices, stories, and celebrating all cultures. Student driven and current best practices are at the heart of what we do.

Student Matinee Series & Discovery Guides

Providing Access to Live Theatre for K-12 Audiences

About

Our Student Matinee Program connects students to professional theatre through daytime performances, followed by engaging talkbacks with cast and creative team members. These conversations encourage students to explore artistic choices, themes, and careers in the performing arts.

To extend learning beyond the performance, Geva also provides educators with curriculum guides, classroom resources, and educational videos that connect productions on our stages to classroom instruction. Together, these programs empower students to find their voices, build meaningful connections, and experience the transformative power of theatre.

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

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

K-12 In School Theatre Residencies

In School Classroom Collaborations Through Arts Integration and Theatre Education

Our In-School Theatre Residency Program brings Geva Teaching Artists—professional theatre artists and experienced educators—into public schools to integrate theatre into classroom learning. Through hands-on workshops and creative exploration, students develop confidence, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

School Break Youth Camps & Classes

Storytelling Through Theatre Camp for Ages 6-9

Theatre Camp Details

Young imaginations take center stage in this fun-filled week of creative exploration! Led by Geva Teaching Artists, campers will bring stories to life through theatre games, creative movement, imaginative play, visual art, music, and storytelling activities. Along the way, students will build confidence, collaboration, and communication skills in a supportive and joyful environment. $349/week.

Winter Break (Feb 15-19, 2027)

Spring Break (Mar 22-26, 2027)

The Play’s the Thing for Improv & Comedy Camp ages 10-12

Improv Camp Details

Get ready to laugh, create, and think on your feet! In this high-energy week of improvisation and comedy, campers will explore the art of saying “yes, and…” through theatre games, improv challenges, character creation, storytelling, and sketch comedy. Led by Geva Teaching Artists, students will build confidence, creativity, quick thinking, collaboration, and communication skills while learning how to trust their instincts, embrace mistakes, and bring big laughs to the stage in a fun, supportive environment. $349/week.

Winter Break (Feb 15-19, 2027)

Spring Break (Mar 22-26, 2027)

Teen Summer Academy Conservatory Program

About Summer Academy

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.

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.

Teacher Resources

Education Committee

Join our Education Committee

Internship Opportunities and Partnerships

Geva Theatre is committed to supporting the next generation of theatre artists, educators, and arts leaders through partnerships with colleges and universities across the Greater Rochester region.

Our longstanding SUNY Brockport–Geva Theatre Alliance provides students with internships, mentorship, and hands-on professional experience in a LORT regional theatre; connecting students with meaningful career pathways in the arts.