Student Matinee FAQs

1. How do I reserve seats for my student group?
To reserve seats at a student matinee please visit our Student Matinee Tickets page. If we have seats available, you’ll receive an order confirmation detailing your reservation and payment due dates. We will reach out via email if we need to discuss other options.

If you would prefer a public performance, click here to contact our Marketing Associate, Amy Essick.

2. Can homeschools attend a student matinee?
Yes! Please visit our Homeschool Student Matinee Reservations page. There are no minimum ticket requirements. 

3. How do I know how many seats to reserve, especially so far in advance?
Because many performances sell out quickly, we encourage you to reserve your seats as early as possible. Your reservation can be adjusted later as class rosters are finalized and again as permission slips and payments are collected from your students.                                                                           

4. How many chaperones do I need?
Schools are encouraged to determine the appropriate number of chaperones based on the age and needs of their students. Chaperones are admitted free of charge for all student matinee performances in the Hanna Theatre. For student matinee performances of A Christmas Carol in the Ohio Theatre, both students and chaperones are charged the same admission price.

5. What if I need to change my reservation totals?
We are always happy to add students if there is availability! You may reduce your totals prior to the payment deadline on your invoice. This date is usually several weeks prior to your performance date. This is also the final date by which you can cancel your reservation. It takes a school on a waiting list at least that much time to have a field trip approved, collect payments from students, and order a bus. 

6. How and when do I pay?
Payment is due several weeks before your performance. You can pay by check, ACH, credit card (directions will be detailed on your invoice). We also accept Purchase Orders prior to payment. 

7. Will I receive the tickets in the mail?
No, the student matinees are not a ticketed event. You will be greeted in the lobby by a Great Lakes Theater (GLT) representative. Your group will be directed to their seats by a Playhouse Square usher with a pre-arranged seating chart.

8. Do you have study guides?
Yes, a Teacher Preparation Guide is available for each production 2-3 weeks prior to the first matinee performance. The guides can be found on the Teacher Resource page.

9. Where are the GLT theaters located?      
Both the Hanna Theatre and the Ohio Theatre are located at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio. The Hanna Theatre is located at 2067 East 14th St. and the Ohio Theatre is located at 1511 Euclid Ave.

10. How does parking work?
With the help of the Cleveland Police Department, we are able to park buses and official school/group vans (personal mini vans do not receive free parking) on streets surrounding the theater. Bus drivers must stay with the bus in case there is an emergency and the bus needs to be moved. Your bus will receive a number from a GLT staff member. A teacher from the bus will also receive the same number as a reminder and visual aid to students.

All other vehicles can park in the one of the many garages or surface lots in the area. Please visit our Maps and Parking page for more information.

11. What is the run-time of the production?                                
Most productions run around 2 hours to 2.5 hours.

A Christmas Carol runs 1 hour and 45 minutes, including intermission.

We usually have an accurate run-time for the fall productions a little earlier because they opened in the previous summer at our sister theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Because the spring semester productions are built and rehearsed here in Cleveland, we won’t usually have a run-time available until closer to opening. Either way, we will try to include that information in our email “plan your visit” email.

12. What if we have special seating needs?
Please click here to email Kelly Schaffer Florian with any special seating requests at least one week prior to the performance. Special seating requests may include wheelchair-accessible seating, accommodations for individuals who are unable to navigate stairs, or seating closer to the stage for patrons with visual or hearing impairments. 

13. How does dismissal work?
Groups arriving by bus are asked to remain seated at the conclusion of the performance until your House Manager dismisses your group. Groups will be released in the order that buses are lined up outside the theater to ensure a safe and efficient departure. Please allow sufficient time for this dismissal process when planning your schedule, as releasing students safely and in an orderly manner may take several minutes. Audience members who arrive by car or public transportation may exit the theater immediately following the performance. 

14. What happens during inclement weather?
Performances will proceed as scheduled regardless of weather conditions, except in cases where the city declares a weather emergency. If your district closes due to inclement weather or another emergency, you may receive a full refund after all efforts to exchange into another performance have been exhausted.