2026-27 Student Matinees
We support Arts in Education!
Last season, over 3,800 Students and Educators attended Student Matinees and we presented FREE Workshops at schools from Cape Elizabeth to Farmington for over 750 students in Grades 1-12.
Make sure you sign up for Education Emails so you can plan affordable Arts activities for your students.
SIGN UP HERE to get information about our FREE workshops and programs, student matinee performances, and to receive invitations to our Pay-What-You-Want No Teacher Left Behind Preview performances.
All tickets to Student Matinees are $7 each.
We offer special morning student matinee performances held at The Public Theatre featuring post-show talkbacks with the actors and director. Student rates are also available for our public performances. To help you make the most of your experience, free study guides are available prior to attending and pre or post-show workshops about the production are available upon request. Teach your students the habit of participating in the cultural life of their community and give them an experience that will expand their world in new and exciting ways.
Call 782-2211 to reserve space for your class.
Read more about how to reserve, payment policy and more >>
All Student Matinee tickets are $7 each and include all applicable fees.
2026-27 Shows
Wed, October 28 – 9:30 am
Wed, November 4 – 9:30 am
Call 207-782-2211 to reserve.
Steel Magnolias
by Robert Harling
Student Matinees:
$7 for Students / Chaperones
Wed, October 28 – 9:30 am
Wed, November 4 – 9:30 am
Public Performances:
Oct 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, Nov 1, 5, 6,7,8 – 2026
Thurs @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm / Fri @ 7:00 pm / Sat & Sun @ 2:00 pm / Sat, Nov 7 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm ADDED MATINEE: Thursday, Oct 29 @ 2:00 pm
Youth Tickets (18 and under): $15
Filled to the brim with humor, heart and hairdos, this beloved comedy celebrates the lives and friendship of six southern women who gather weekly in their local hair salon to navigate the joys and challenges of life together. Grab your best friend and GO!.
Call 207-782-2211 to reserve.
Student Matinees:
$7 for Students / Chaperones
Tues, Dec 8, 2026 @ 10:00 am
Tues, Dec 8, 2026 @ 12:00 pm
Wed, Dec 9, 2026 @ 9:30 am
Thur, Dec10, 2026 @ 10:00 am
Fri, Dec 11, 2026 @ 9:30 am
Run Time: 60 minutes, allow additional 15 minutes for optional post-show discussion.
Public Performances:
Dec 11, 12, 13, 2026
Fri & Sat @ 7pm / Sat & Sun @ 2pm
Youth Tickets (18 and under) $15
Six actors and a fiddler perform the Dickens out of this beloved holiday story told in a way you’ve never imagined and will never forget! Don’t miss this unique and acclaimed adaptation originally created at The Public Theatre, now published and performed all over the world!
Run Time: 60 minutes, allow additional 15 minutes for optional post-show discussion.
Recommended for students in Grades 3 and up.
Wed, January 27 – 9:30 am
Call 207-782-2211 to reserve.
Darker the Night Brighter the Stars
by John Cariani
Student Matinees:
$7 for Students / Chaperones
Wed, January 27 – 9:30 am
Public Performances:
Jan 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31 – 2027
Thurs @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm / Fri @ 7:00 pm / Sat & Sun @ 2:00 pm / Sat, Jan 30 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm ADDED MATINEE: Thursday, Jan 28 @ 2:00 pm
Youth Tickets (18 and under): $15
From the author of the popular play Almost, Maine comes another amusing and heartfelt look at life in Northern Maine. On the night of a magical meteor shower, a group of young Mainers wish on shooting stars asking big questions about love, life and themselves in this hopeful, funny and timely new play.
Wed, March 17 – 9:30 am
Call 207-782-2211 to reserve.
Primary Trust
by Eboni Booth
Student Matinees:
$7 for Students / Chaperones
Wed, March 17 – 9:30 am
Public Performances:
Mar 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21 – 2027
Thurs @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm / Fri @ 7:00 pm / Sat & Sun @ 2:00 pm / Sat, Mar 20 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm ADDED MATINEE: Thursday, March 18 @ 2:00 pm
Youth Tickets (18 and under): $15
Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for drama, this quirky, moving and uplifting play tells the story of a lonely man named Kenneth who meets his imaginary friend every night for Mai Tai’s at a local tiki bar. When he unexpectedly loses his long-term job in a bookstore, Kenneth must step outside his comfort zone to look for work and discovers the joy of making real friends and connecting with others.
Wed, May 5 – 9:30 am
Call 207-782-2211 to reserve.
The Fiancé
by Emily Bohannon
Student Matinees:
$7 for Students / Chaperones
Wed, May 5 – 9:30 am
Public Performances:
Apr 30, May 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 – 2027
Thurs @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm / Fri @ 7:00 pm / Sat & Sun @ 2:00 pm / Sat, May 8 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm ADDED MATINEE: Thursday, May 6 @ 2:00 pm
Youth Tickets (18 and under): $15
Don’t miss this heartfelt new comedy about love, loss and hope in three generations of single women! Imagine a recently jilted young woman, her middle-aged divorced mom and her 80 year old widowed grandmother – and guess who’s the fiancé? When a granddaughter and her grandmother agree to try online dating, everyone is surprised when love knocks on Grandma’s door first! This delightful comedy celebrates the joy that comes from opening your heart to the possibility of finding love at any age.
Educational Sponsors
The Public Theatre takes pride in recognizing our educational sponsors. We seek to develop a partnership with local businesses working together for the enrichment of the Lewiston-Auburn area. The following businesses have joined us in this partnership. If you would like to see your company listed here, please contact us regarding sponsorship opportunities.
Educational Underwriters
Helen and George Ladd
Charitable Corporation
