STUDENT MATINEE FAQ

I AM A HOMESCHOOL OR DIGITAL SCHOOL PARENT. CAN MY STUDENT(S) AND I PARTICIPATE?
We welcome all students to our Student Matinee Program! You are welcome to reserve as an individual homeschool/digital school family group or as a larger group of families. Click here to learn some tips for planning your upcoming trip!
 
WHAT ARE YOUR COVID POLICIES FOR STUDENT MATINEE PERFORMANCES?

FOR THE OVERTURE CENTER: Please click HERE for more information on their COVID policies.

MYARTS CENTER: At this time, we strongly recommend everyone to wear a mask, however masks are not required. If you have any questions or concerns, please email our Student Matinee Coordinator, Laura McMillan, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HOW DOES THE RESERVATION PROCESS WORK?
  • Educators must fill out a Seat Hold Request Form.
  • We will contact you within five business days after recieving your form. At that time, we will confirm the details of your request. We will also provide a speicific deadline for a final seat count and for a 50% non-refundable deposit of the total anticipated price (both are due 90 days prior to the event).
  • We will send a reminder 15 days prior to the deadline given. If we do not receive a final seat count and deposit by the due date, we will release your held seats.
  • After we receive your final seat numbers and deposit, we will solidify the total cost and invoice for the remainder (full payment is due 30 days prior). Payment made earlier than 30 days before your performance is welcomed and encouraged! If you need to arrange later payment, please contact us ASAP.
  • For more detailed information, please CLICK HERE.

WHAT DO STUDENT MATINEE TICKETS COST?

PUBLIC / PRIVATE SCHOOL PRICES:

Productions in the Playhouse Theater (Overture Center) or at the NEW! MYArts Center (1055 E. Mifflin St)
Regular Price: $9
Students with Free/Reduced Lunch: $5
School Staff: FREE
Non-School Staff Chaperones: $9

Productions in the Capitol Theater
Regular Price: $10
Students with Free/Reduced Lunch: $5
School Staff: FREE
Non-School Staff Chaperones: $10

HOMESCHOOL / DIGITAL SCHOOL PRICES:
Homeschool/Digital School with a group of 16 or more will be charged the ticket prices mentioned above. If you have 15 or less in your group your pricing is as follows:

Productions in the Playhouse Theater (Overture Center) or at the NEW! MYArts Center (1055 E. Mifflin St)
Homeschool/Digital Price (Group 15 or less): $10

Productions in the Capitol Theater
Homeschool/Digital Price (Group 15 or less): $11

(To encourage small groups to coordinate, we offer one complimentary seat is offered for every 20 reserved for Homeschool/Digital Schools)

HOW DO I PAY FOR THE SHOW?
We accept VISA, Mastercard, and Discover cards. To make a payment with a credit/debit card, please call the Student Matinee Coordinator at 608-255-2080 x107. You can also pay by mailing a check to the CTM Office, ATTN: Student Matinee Coordinator. Our address is at the top of your invoice. If you’d like to set up a direct deposit payment, please contact the Student Matinee Coordinator.

CAN I CHANGE MY SEAT COUNT?
You may freely update the number of seats in your seat hold request until you have submitted your 50% non-refundable deposit and final seat count for the show. After a deposit is submitted:
ADDING SEATS: You may add seats up to 15 days prior to the performance, if available.
DECREASING SEATS: You may decrease seats up to 30 days prior to the performance, but only by 20% of the number listed on your final numbers form or invoice.

CAN I CHOOSE MY OWN SEATS?
Unfortunately, it is not possible for teachers to select their seats for Student Matinee performances. All seats are weighted equally and are assigned by CTM based on the overall seating needs of the performance. Requests for Accessibility or other special needs are welcomed and we will do our best to honor such requests.

WHERE DO WE PARK?

FOR THE OVERTURE CENTER: (Click here for Overture Center Maps and Directions)
Buses: Drop-off is at the Henry St. entrance of the Overture Center, where students disembark and enter the theatre. On-site parking is not available for non-Capitol Theatre performances and buses should plan to park at Orlin-Turville Park for the duration of the performance. Maps and other guidance information will be available one month before your performance.
Cars: Please Park at the Overture Center Parking Ramp (318 W. Mifflin St.) and access the Overture Center via Henry St.

FOR THE MYArts CENTER: (Click here for MYArts Map and Directions)
Buses
: Drop off is going to be at the front entrance of MYArts on Mifflin St. (1055 E. Mifflin). On-site parking is available for 4 buses. As of right now, this is on a first-come first serve basis. If the 4 spots are taken, buses should plan to park at Duane F. Bowman Park for the duration of the performance. Maps and other guidance information will be available one month before your performance and sent out the day before.
Cars
: There is free street parking in the neighborhood surrounding the MYArts building. Parking in the MYArts Parking Ramp (1055 E. Mifflin) is $2/hr and can be accessed via Ingersoll St.

WHAT TIME SHOULD WE ARRIVE?
CTM recommends that you arrive at least thirty minutes prior to the performance, in order to accommodate seating, lunch drop-offs, and pre-show use of restrooms. Please feel free to arrive up to forty minutes early if you believe you will need more time. Arrival time does not affect seating.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?
We ask that you leave backpacks and other bags either at school or on the bus. They are not permitted in the theater, the exception being bags with medical supplies or necessaries for students with special needs. We do advise, however, that you and your students bring at least a light jacket, as it can be cool in the theater. Also note that Name Tags or School IDs are required for all ADULT attendees. This is to ensure the safety of all students. If you do not have name tags for chaperones, they can be acquired from the Coat Check station at the Overture, located just outside the theatre itself. For the MYArts center, you will be able to acquire a name tag from our Concessions Stand on the fourth floor just outside the theater.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENT OF SEVERE WEATHER?
In the event of a school closure/delayed opening due to inclement weather, or if the Overture Center or MYArts needs to cancel a performance, seats will be rescheduled, exchanged, or refunded. Reservations cannot carry over to the next season.

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY RESERVATION?
Unfortunately, once your final numbers and deposit have been submitted, the 50% deposit is non-refundable. Requests for exception must be made at least 30 days in advance and may be granted only at the discretion of CTM staff. For homeschools/digital schools must request their cancellation at least 30 days in advance as well. For further information, please refer to CTM’s Student Matinee Policies.

WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS CAN YOU MAKE FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?
CTM is committed to providing access for students with special needs. If a student needs an individualized plan to get the most out of their theater experience please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will be happy to work with you.

The following are accommodations we can make available upon request. Please place your request at least two weeks in advance:

  • Specially reserved seating for students with visual impairments.
  • Assistive listening devices (Overture Center only)
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Transfer seating
  • American Sign Language interpretation
  • Break spaces
  • Sensory Kits with noise dampening headphones, fidgets and sunglasses.
  • Area outside of theater with television streaming of live performance
  • Route to the theater and to seat without stairs

WHAT DO I DO IF I WOULD LIKE MY STUDENTS TO EAT LUNCH AT THE SHOW?
OVERTURE CENTER: Notify the Student Matinee Coordinator right away by filling out the Overture Lunch Reservation survey. Due to limited space in the Overture, we strongly encourage you to complete this form early. We advise that each classroom’s lunches be brought in a large box so that they can be easily offloaded and transported upon your arrival to Overture Center. They will be held from you until your release after the performance. Alternatively, the Capitol Lawn is just a block away and provides an excellent, no-hassle outdoor lunch venue (weather permitting!). The Wisconsin State Capitol has a space for schools to eat lunch inside which is near the Rotunda area of the basement level of the building. It holds 140 people. This space cannot be reserved but is used on a daily first come, first serve basis. The tour desk coordinates this space and can help you with any questions you may have. Their phone number is (608) 266-0382.

MADISON YOUTH ARTS (MYArts):
 Notify the Student Matinee Coordinator right away by filling out the MYArts Lunch Reservation survey. Due to limited space in MYArts, we strongly encourage you to complete this form early. We advise that each classroom’s lunches be brought in a large box so that they can be easily offloaded and transported upon your arrival to MYArts. They will be held from you until your release after the performance.

WHAT OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU OFFER?
CTM strives to provide a comprehensive experience to all of its Student Matinee attendees. Our education department creates study guides to help teachers connect the productions to their curriculum. These are available approximately 2 months before the production. In addition to the five productions we put up throughout the school year, we also offer an array of classes for young thespians during the summer, on weekends, and days off from school.