Bringing Free, Professional Shakespeare to Students, Seniors, and Community Groups

For the first time, New York Classical Theatre is offering daytime matinee performances of our summer shows to make our productions more accessible to students (best suited for grades 6 and above), seniors, and community groups. Whether you’re an educator looking to bring Shakespeare to life for your students or a community leader seeking engaging cultural experiences, these performances offer a unique opportunity to experience professional theater outdoors in iconic New York City spaces. This summer we are thrilled to present Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well.

2025 Matinee Schedule

Wed, May 21 @ 10am | Behind-the-Scenes Rehearsal | Central Park

Get an exclusive look at how professional actors prepare for a production. This interactive experience includes demonstrations on costuming, blocking, vocal production, and stage direction, plus the opportunity to observe actors rehearsing select scenes.

Wed, June 4 @ 11am | Full Production | Central Park

Join us for a full-length production of this season’s play, Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well, in Central Park, designed with students and schools in mind. Experience the magic of Shakespeare in an immersive outdoor setting - audience movement required.

Wed, June 25 @ 11am | Full Production | Carl Schurz Park

A stationary performance (no audience movement required) of Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well, ideal for seniors, community groups, and students looking for an engaging yet accessible theater experience.

Learn more about what to expect here.

Why We’re Doing This

  • Increased Accessibility: Most of our performances are in the evening; these matinees allow those unavailable at night to experience our all-professional, all-free live theater.

  • Educational Impact: Shakespeare comes alive when performed. Our productions provide a dynamic, interactive way to explore classic literature and theatrical techniques.

  • Community Engagement: These performances create shared cultural experiences for diverse audiences across NYC.

Enhancing the Learning Experience

For teachers, educators, and adult class leaders, we provide:

• Pre- and Post-Performance Discussion Guides
• Connections to Curriculum and Learning Goals
• Interactive Q&A Opportunities

How to Attend

We welcome schools, senior centers, community organizations, and other groups to attend. To express interest and receive updates, please fill out our our form found at the button below:

Questions?
For Schools & Youth Organizations, please contact Briana at bgibsonreeves@nyclassical.org
For Adult & Community Organizations, please contact Colin at colin@nyclassical.org