Student Matinees
Photo by Cody Boston.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is passionate about providing youth in our community opportunities to experience high quality performing arts, learn about the facility, and even plan for a future in the arts.
Please sign up at the bottom of the page to join our educator email list and be informed of upcoming opportunities during the school year.
Kauffman Center School Matinees
The Kauffman Center is proud to present a wide-range of matinee experiences for students throughout the school year. All school matinee tickets are $2 each, and ticket applications are required. Kauffman Center school matinees are recommended for middle school-aged students.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE 2023 SCHOOL MATINEES:
Jasper Doest, Photographer
A Voice for Nature
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
Dutch photographer Jasper Doest creates visual stories that explore the relationship between humankind and nature. From Bob, a rehabilitated flamingo on the island of Curaçao to the Japanese “snow monkeys” that delight in soaking in local hot springs, Doest’s emotional, award-winning images are an urgent reminder of the beauty and fragility of our planet.
Sandesh Kadur, Photographer and Filmmaker **LIMITED AVAILABILITY REMAINING**
Wild Cats of India
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
While many of India’s big cats are well known and thoroughly documented, photographer and filmmaker Sandesh Kadur is on a mission to highlight the country’s lesser-known felines to protect their future. Through Kadur’s captivating images and video, you’ll get an up-close look at a world of wild cats you’ve never seen before.
Robbie Shone, Photographer
In Deep: Adventures in Caving
Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
Renowned cave photographer Robbie Shone has traveled to remote parts of the world to illuminate and document the world’s deepest, largest and longest known cave systems. Join Shone for a first-hand account of his gripping adventures descending Veryovkina, the deepest known cave in the world, and get an inside look at the mesmerizing beauty of one of the world’s last known frontiers of exploration.
Reserve School Matinee Tickets
Contact opendoors@kauffmancenter.org with questions.
School matinees are eligible for bus transportation assistance through our Open Doors program. Transportation assistance applications and more information can be found here.
Kauffman Center School Matinee Frequently Asked Questions
Who can purchase tickets for these performances?
Any school in the five-county metropolitan Kansas City area and outside the KC metro can submit an order form to purchase tickets for students and chaperones to attend any of the Kauffman Center Presents student matinees. Homeschool groups are also welcome to purchase tickets to these performances.
How long will it take to review my order form?
Orders will be processed as they are received and confirmation emails with order information will be sent to the teacher within 2-3 weeks. Teachers are then responsible for sending relevant details to administrators to begin payment process.
Are all the Kauffman Center student matinee performances eligible for Transportation Assistance?
Each year, there will be over twenty school matinee performances, and they are listed under the Student Matinee page of our website. At this time, all student matinee performances qualify for the Open Doors Transportation Assistance program. Please be aware that only groups with more than 20 students who are traveling by bus are invited to apply. Also, transportation assistance applications must be submitted at least five business days prior to the scheduled performance.
What if my group reserves tickets to a Kauffman Center Presents school matinee, but we need to cancel at a later date?
If your approved group needs to cancel a student matinee reservation, please let the Kauffman Center know as early as possible by sending a notification to . Tickets must be paid for in full no later than one month prior to the performance date. Any school that cancels beyond that deadline will not receive a refund.
Can our school change our total number of students and adults attending in the months or weeks leading up to the performance?
Yes, you can adjust your numbers as needed, but all changes are subject to ticket availability. All changes must be made by one month prior to the performance date when ticket payment is also due.
For any other questions, please send an email to Open Doors at .
Partner Organization School Matinees
Kansas City Symphony
LINK UP: THE ORCHESTRA SINGS
All tickets are $2. Recommended for grades 3 – 5.
- Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
KINDERKONZERTS: SYMPHONY’S WILD ADVENTURE
All tickets are $2. Recommended for grades K – 3.
- Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
- Friday, May 12, 2023 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Click here for more information.
Contact info for questions:
Stephanie Brimhall
Director of Education & Community Engagement
816.218.2639
Kansas City Ballet
The Nutcracker
- Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. – SOLD OUT
- Fee: all seats $12
- Recommended for grades 2 and above.
A two-act ballet based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s story – featuring vibrant costumes, elaborate scenery and stunning sets, this classic tale tells the timeless story of Clara, the Mouse King and her Nutcracker Prince.
Choreography: Devon Carney
Music: Peter I. Tchaikovsky
Music performed by Kansas City Symphony
Cinderella
- Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.
- Fee: all seats $12
- Recommended for grades 2 and above.
Devon Carney’s world premiere choreography accompanied by Prokofiev’s captivating music brings this enchanting story to life. Enjoy a special twist on this favorite fairy tale where the characters are sure to delight. The Fairy Godmother, the pumpkin that becomes a carriage, fairies weaving spells, the handsome prince, and of course, the wicked stepmother and riotous, bumbling stepsisters all come together to tell this beloved story.
World Premiere Choreography: Devon Carney
Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Music performed by Kansas City Symphony
Click here for more information and to complete a ticket order form.
Contact info for tickets:
April Berry
Director of Community Engagement and Education
816.216.5583
Lyric Opera of Kansas City
2022-2023 Student Dress Rehearsal Opportunities
All shows are recommended for grades 5 and above. All operas are performed in their original language with English subtitles and accompanied by the Kansas City Symphony.
- Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 6 p.m.
- Approximately 2 hours in length.
- Language: English
- Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 6 p.m.
- Approximately 2.5 hours in length.
- Language: English
Click here for more information and to register.
Neal Long
Director of Education & Community Engagement
816.802.6054
Störling Dance Theater - The Culture House
Störling Dance Theater’s Underground
Storling Dance Theater’s powerful and historically accurate presentation of the Underground Railroad in the United States. Reserve seats today for your class to one of the most powerful and inspiring educational field trips. Chosen by the American Educational Research Association as one of the top examples of an Arts & Education collaboration in the United States.
- Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
- Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
All tickets are $5 and the show runs approximately 2 hours.
Click here for more information and to complete a ticket order form.
For questions, please reach out to:
Tonya Franken
913.393.3141
Sign Up for Education Emails
Be among the first to learn about educational opportunities at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts by signing up for our Education Email List. By opting into this education email list, you will receive information about Kauffman Center educational programs as well as performances that will be presented at the Kauffman Center.