Student Matinees
A class trip to McCarter is an excellent and effective tool for enhancing many areas of study, including Language Arts, Social Studies, and World Languages.
McCarter student matinee performances are typically followed by a facilitated, 30-minute post-show discussion with members of the acting company. McCarter post-show discussions allow students to pose questions to actors and share collectively with their peers in making meaning of the performance and highlighting elements of personal resonance.
The cast of Kim’s Convenience answers questions after a student matinee.
Reserving Tickets for Your School
To reserve tickets for the 2026/2027 Season please complete and submit the McCarter Student Matinee Reservation Form here.
A Patron Services representative will contact you to discuss your reservation including:
The details of the contract
McCarter Theatre’s student matinee policies
The non-refundable deposit payment required to hold your reservation
Logistics on the day of your scheduled student matinee
For questions please email groups@mccarter.org
In-School Enrichment
Enrich your students’ experience of a Student Matinee performance and deepen the overall impact of your trip to the theater through a McCarter In-School Enhancement Program available at an additional cost. For more information, please email education@mccarter.org.
A Beat of Our Own
Student Matinee:
October 20, 2026
10:30 AM
From the Tony Award-winning producers of Hadestown comes A Beat of Our Own — a brand-new musical comedy that pulls you straight into the pulsating rhythms, kaleidoscopic colors and raw energy of competitive bhangra dance.
After leading their college team to victory at the Michigan State Championships, teammates Mary and Preeti find themselves bound for Nationals.
But when they clash over Mary’s plan to fuse multiple Indian styles into their routine, Mary breaks off and forms her own squad. There’s only one problem: aside from her chaotic roommate Sunita, none of the new recruits have ever danced before. Armed with a new sense of purpose — and a little help from a former Bollywood star — Mary sets out to mold a ragtag group of lovable misfits into title-worthy contenders. But do they stand a chance against Preeti and her team of bhangra all-stars?
Directed by Olivier Award nominee Stafford Arima and featuring choreography from Rujuta Vaidya, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, and a book by Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew, this hilarious, heartfelt show is a proud celebration of what happens when a fractured community finds common ground through the power of dance, creativity and understanding.
Recommended for grades 6 and up.
Content: Some strong language and mature references
Purpose
Student Matinee:
February 4, 2026
10:30 AM
Purpose, the gripping and hilarious new drama from two-time Tony Award-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, is “a thumping, riveting, guns-blazing, major new American play” (NY Daily News) that is “unstoppably fierce, funny, and ruthless!” (The New York Post).
An electrifying, intimate and intriguing behind-the-scenes look at the influential Jasper family. And like all families, there are cracks beneath the surface. When the son returns home with an uninvited friend, the family is forced into a reckoning with itself, its faith, and its legacy.
Recommended for grades 7 and up
Content: Strong language, discussions of self-harm and gunshots
North By Northwest
Student Matinee:
March 16, 2027
10:30 AM
Theatre legend Emma Rice helms a high-velocity take on the Alfred Hitchcock classic North by Northwest in an acclaimed production hailed as “glorious” (The Times of London) and “effortlessly chic” (The Daily Mail). When ad man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a Cold War spy, he goes on the run dodging airplanes, bad guys and a femme fatale who may not be what she seems.
With seven shape-shifting performers, a swinging ‘50s soundtrack, and the iconic backdrop of Mount Rushmore, Rice transforms the beloved thriller into a riotously funny high-speed theatrical ride.
Recommended for grades 6 and up
A Christmas Carol
Student Matinee:
December 10, 15, and 16, 2026
10:30 AM
12/15 and 12/16 performances SOLD OUT. Limited availability 12/10.
Gather your friends and loved ones to experience this timeless classic, brought to life in an immersive celebration of joy and generosity. A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to kick off the season—full of wonder, warmth, and the spirit of togetherness.
FAQs
-
Buses should pull into the circle in front of the Matthews Theatre at McCarter. A representative will greet them, guide the students into the theatre, and direct the bus driver to the nearest parking lot.
-
No. We ask that bus drivers stay with the bus in the parking area for the entirety of the show. In case of an emergency, we want to be able to know where the bus is and call it back immediately if necessary. The bus parking lot is not within walking distance of the theater.
-
Unfortunately, no. Space is at a premium and we simply do not have the capacity to house all of our student matinee patrons for lunch. In the past, schools have been able to find space independently on the Princeton campus (see attached campus map). Additionally, some schools opt to eat lunch on the bus. A third option is walking into town post-performance and taking advantage of the various restaurants Princeton has to offer. If you choose to do this we ask that your bus pick you up from Nassau Street rather than coming back to the theater
-
Concessions will be available for Student Matinee performances.
-
Please reach out with any special requests for seating and student needs. We create a seating map ahead of the performance to meet the needs of you and your students.
-
Immediately following the performance there is a 30 minute discussion which gives students the opportunity to pose any questions or reactions they had to some of the actors. It’s always an exciting and enlightening talk and we highly recommend sticking around for it! We completely understand that many schools can’t stay due to time constraints and we will ensure you are dismissed at the appropriate time.