School Day Matinee Series
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to present matinees appropriate for all grade levels. School Day Matinees are only open to educators bringing school groups. These shows feature theater, dance, and music performances from Children's Theater Series, Bridge Theater Series, PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Dance Council and Dentons Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents.
School Day Matinee FAQ
Wondering how visiting the Cultural District for a School Day Matinee performance works? Learn more in our FAQ!
How To Reserve Tickets
Fill out an online reservation form or email groupsales@trustarts.org. Call 412-471-6930 with questions.
If you would like to request a subsidy to pay for tickets or for transportation, please fill out the form below.
School day matinees are $5 per ticket.
Upcoming School Day Matinees
Call of the Wild — Fri., Jan. 19, 2024 — Grades 3-8
Children's Theater Series
Friday, January 19, 2024 - 11:00 AM
Byham Theater, 101 6th Street Pittsburgh PA 15222
Recommended for Grades: 3–8
Length of Performance: 55 minutes
Curriculum Connections: Fine Arts, Language Arts, Science, History, Emotional/Social Development
Jack London’s classic tale comes to life on stage. This multi-media adventure mixes performance and storytelling with projected illustrations to tell the story of Buck, the magnificent offspring of a St. Bernard and Scottish Collie.
Kidnapped from his lavish life on a California estate and sent to work as a sled dog during the great Klondike Gold Rush of the 1800s, Buck becomes the most famous dog in the northland’s history and discovers the endurance and strength of his wild, primal ancestors as their call courses through his blood. A thrilling tale of courage and survival.
The production uses 180-degree projection that surrounds the performer and provides scenic, artistic, and historical context to the show through their content. The images feature a unique mix of Philip R. Goodwin’s classical illustrations from the book’s first edition, period photographs, and brand-new drawings and animations created by artist Michael Rae.
How To Reserve Tickets
Fill out an online reservation form or email groupsales@trustarts.org. Call 412-471-6930 with questions.
Moby Dick — Thurs., Feb. 1, 2024 — Grades 6-12
Dentons Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents Series
Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 11:00 AM
Byham Theater, 101 6th Street Pittsburgh PA 15222
Recommended for Grades: 6–12
Length of Performance: 85 minutes
Curriculum Connections: Puppetry, Language Arts, Science, Social/Emotional Development
An ancient white whale, a captain steering his ship into destruction, and the inner storms of the human heart. MOBY DICK is the tale of a whaling expedition, but also the story of an obsession or an investigation into the unexplained mysteries of life. To quote Melville: “It is the image of the ungraspable phantom of life; and this is the key to it all.” With seven actors, 50 puppets, video projections, a drowned orchestra, and a whale-sized whale, Yngvild Aspeli stages this visual adaptation of this wonderful beast of a book.
How To Reserve Tickets
Fill out an online reservation form or email groupsales@trustarts.org. Call 412-471-6930 with questions.
Song of the North — Fri., Feb. 16, 2024 — Grades 4-12
Bridge Theater Series
Friday, February 16, 2024 - 11:00 AM
Byham Theater, 101 6th Street Pittsburgh PA 15222
Recommended for Grades: 4–12
Length of Performance: 80 minutes
Curriculum Connections: English Language Arts (poetry, folk tales), Social Studies (global history, Theater, Visual Art, Literature
Song of the North is a large-scale, cinematic performance combining the manual art of shadow puppetry with projected animation to tell the courageous tale of Manijeh, a heroine from ancient Persia, who must use all her strengths and talents to rescue her beloved, Bijan, from a perilous predicament of her own making and help prevent a war. This epic love story employs a cast of 500 handmade puppets and a talented ensemble of nine actors and puppeteers, all of which come together to create a spectacular experience that advances the themes of unity, collaboration, and experimentation through performance and story. Song of the North, adapted from the Book of Kings (Shahnameh), challenges the Eurocentric worldview of art and storytelling through a contemporary multimedia experience of this classic Persian tale.
How To Reserve Tickets
Fill out an online reservation form or email groupsales@trustarts.org. Call 412-471-6930 with questions.
SOLD OUT The Rainbow Fish — Fri., Feb. 23, 2024 — Grades PreK-3
Children's Theater Series
Friday, February 23, 2024 - 11:00 AM
Byham Theater, 101 6th Street Pittsburgh PA 15222
Recommended for Grades: PreK–3
Length of Performance: 60 minutes
Curriculum Connections: Puppetry, Visual Art, Literature, Opposites, Ocean Life, Friendship, Responsible Decision Making, Relationship Skill
The Rainbow Fish, will include an original stage adaptation of Marcus Pfister’s colorful story as well two of the author’s companion tales, Rainbow Fish Discovers the Deep Sea and Opposites.
The Rainbow Fish will enchant even the youngest child with his silver scales and heart of gold in this award-winning book about the beautiful fish who learned to share his most prized possession. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia brings The Rainbow Fish to life with their enchanting puppetry.
How To Reserve Tickets
Fill out an online reservation form or email groupsales@trustarts.org. Call 412-471-6930 with questions.
Ronald K. Brown/Evidence - The Equality of Night and Day and Open Door — Fri., Mar. 1, 2024 — Grades 7-12
Pittsburgh Dance Council
Friday, March 1, 2024 - 11:00 AM
Byham Theater, 101 6th Street Pittsburgh PA 15222
Recommended for Grades: 7-12
Length of Performance: 60 minutes
Curriculum Connections: Dance, Music, African American Studies, Social Studies, World Cultures, Diversity
The Equality of Night and Day and Open Door (TEND) is a new work by Brown examining the concepts of balance, equity, and fairness in light of the conflicting present-day issues that young people, women, and people of color now face in a world where exploitation, gentrification, racism, and xenophobia are on the rise. The current shift in public discourse is now anchoring the new piece.
With spoken word by Angela Davis and original score by Jason Moran.
How To Reserve Tickets
Fill out an online reservation form or email groupsales@trustarts.org. Call 412-471-6930 with questions.
Sacred Earth — Thurs., Mar. 21, 2024 — Grades 5-12
Dentons Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents Series
Thursday, March 21, 2024 - 11:00 AM
Byham Theater, 101 6th Street Pittsburgh PA 15222
Recommended for Grades: 5-12
Length of Performance: 60 minutes
Curriculum Connections: Dance, Music, Poetry, Visual Arts, World Cultures, Diversity
Sacred Earth explores the interconnectedness between human emotions and the environment that shapes them. Performed with a stellar musical ensemble from India, the dancers create a sacred space to honor the divinity in the natural world and the sustenance we derive from it. Inspired by the philosophies behind the ephemeral arts of Kolam and Warli painting, and the Tamil Sangam literature of India, Sacred Earth is Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy’s singular vision of the beautiful, fragile relationship between nature and man.
How To Reserve Tickets
Fill out an online reservation form or email groupsales@trustarts.org. Call 412-471-6930 with questions.
SOLD OUT Dog Man the Musical (Theatre Works USA) — Mon., Apr. 15, 2024 — Grades 1-6
Children's Theater Series
Monday, April 15, 2024 - 11:00 AM
Byham Theater, 101 6th Street Pittsburgh PA 15222
Recommended for Grades: 1-6
Length of Performance: 60 minutes
Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts, Music, Creative Writing
Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious production based on the worldwide bestselling series from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club.
Best buds George and Harold have been creating comics for years, but now that they’re in 5th grade, they figure it's time to level up and write a musical based on their favorite character, Dog Man, the crime-biting sensation who is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO!! How hard could it be?
With the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, Dog Man loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime?? Find out in this epic musical adventure featuring the hilarity and heart of Dav Pilkey’s beloved characters.
The show is written by Kevin Del Aguila and Brad Alexander, who collaborated on the Emmy-winning series Peg + Cat on PBS, TheaterWorksUSA’s Click, Clack, Moo, and Clifford The Big Red Dog on PBS and Amazon. Jen Wineman directs and choreographs.
How To Reserve Tickets
Fill out an online reservation form or email groupsales@trustarts.org. Call 412-471-6930 with questions.
Bus and Ticket Subsidies
The Trust Arts Education Department offers bus and ticket subsidies to reduce any transportation and financial barriers for students and teachers getting to the Cultural District. Please fill out the following form to be considered for bus and ticket subsidies. While we prioritize LEAs and schools that are most under-resourced, we recognize that budgets are complicated and nuanced and strive to meet organizations where they are to ensure that we can move forward with programming whenever possible.
Please Note: Subsidy requests must be filled out at least four weeks prior to your performance date.
Expand Your Experience
Expand your students’ and staff’s experience in the Cultural District! From in school residencies, to masterclasses with the artists in the show, or even just a space to eat lunch, Trust Arts Education offers diverse opportunities to enrich your theatrical experience with us!
Pre/post show workshop
At the Trust Arts Education Center (Day of Show)
Either before or after the show, visit the Trust Arts Education Center, just minutes from the theater, for a show-inspired workshop facilitated by a Trust Arts Education Teaching Artist. Workshops can cover any art form and be tailored to curriculum standards, student interest, and availability.
At your school
Either before or after the show, host a show-inspired workshop facilitated by a Trust Arts Education Teaching Artist. Workshops can cover any art form and be tailored to curriculum standards, student interest, and availability.
Examples include:
- Sugar Skull!: Dia De Los Muertos Dance & Music Workshop
- Sugar Skull!: Flower Crown and Sugar Skull Visual Arts Workshop
- Giraffes CAN Dance: Find Your Groove Dance & Music Workshop
- Giraffes Can’t Dance: Animal Puppet Creation and Movement Workshop
ArtsMASTERS- Masterclass with touring artists
Learn acting, singing, and/or dancing from one of the touring artists from the show at the Trust Arts Education Center! Masterclasses generally last 1.5 hours (Schedules permitting).
4 Session Residency in your school
Deepen student learning and engagement around the matinee performance with a 4-session residency in your school, facilitated by a Trust Arts Education Teaching Artist. Teaching Artists collaborate with educators to incorporate the content and art from the show with one or more core academic content areas. Whether it’s math, science, or language arts, our teaching artists can create a fun and engaging residency to excite and enrich your students learning in class and expand their love of the arts!
Space for students to eat lunch
Logistics can be the biggest barrier to bringing students to the Cultural District to see a show. Let us help by providing a safe and easy space for your students to eat their lunch before or after the show! Please Note: Lunch space has extremely limited availability.
Study Guides and Teacher Resources
Learn more about study guides and teaching resources for Pittsburgh Cultural Trust shows.
Questions? We're here to help! Contact education@trustarts.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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