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Show & In-class Workshops

Student Matinee Series

We provide free matinee performances of our Mainstage productions with accompanying pre and post show classroom workshops for Middle and High School students across San Diego County. 

  • Generously supported by:
    New York Life

After a long year and a half, we are ready to welcome you and your students into our newly renovated theater. Bravo to you all for navigating the last 18 months, and how we have missed you being in person. We are excited about our 36th Season, with two World Premieres, and two West Coast Premieres! We have adopted a policy that requires you and your students to be fully vaccinated and masked to attend a show in person. 

You’ll notice we’ve made some changes in our program offerings. This season, we’re offering free Student Matinees during the school day at 11am, and as always this FREE ticket offer includes FREE Pre and Post show workshops, talkbacks with the creative team, and a tour of Lambda Archives. To arrange these tickets email Skyler Sullivan: ssullivan@diversionary.org

We are offering Free Student Night tickets for EIGHTY-SIXED on select nights due to the inclusion of more mature themes and subject matter in these two shows. The age recommendation for these performances are 17 and up. These are recommendations, and we hope that families and schools will consider seeing these plays together and making the best decision based on their knowledge of their children and what they are ready to experience.

We hope to see you and your groups in the house soon to enjoy live theatre in a safe and inclusive environment. 

-Skyler Sullivan, Director of Arts Education & Outreach

Please email ssullivan@diversionary.org to arrange your school’s tickets.

Upcoming Dates

EIGHTY-SIXED with  Book by Jeremy J. King and
Music & Lyrics by Sam Salmond

a cover of a book

Free Student Matinee: Wednesday, May 25th at 10:30 AM

Free Student Nights: May 13th 8:00 PM or May 19th at 7:00 PM
Recommended for ages 16+

Sign-Up for Student Nights
Please contact Skyler Sullivan, Director of Outreach and Education, for more information or to reserve a seat.

    How Our Student Matinee Series Works

    We work closely with each participating school and organization to ensure an enriching experience for students and educators alike.

    Our Director of Arts Education and Outreach, Skyler Sullivan, collaborates directly with the classroom teacher on scheduling a pre-show workshop where a Diversionary Teaching Artist visits the classroom to introduce the play’s subject matter and themes to the students using theatre games and an interactive lesson plan. We also offer assistance connecting our programming to Common Core Standards.

    Student Matinees are scheduled on Wednesdays, and students are treated to a talk back with members of the cast and creative team immediately following the performance. This session is moderated and students are encouraged to ask questions and give feedback on their experience with the performance.

    Within a week after the Student Matinee, the Diversionary Teaching Artist will return to your classroom with a workshop to help the students contextualize the performance they attended and tie it back to their own lives. Our Student Matinee program is an excellent way to treat students to a unique live performance and allow for critical thinking and engagement with their peers.

    Read About Past Performances
    Testimonials

    What Our Community is Saying

    “The authenticity of the performances as well as the pre and post show Q and A provided learning experiences for my students that they will never forget. This was the first time many of my students have met and interacted with people who identify as part of the LGBT community. I could see the relief and delight on many of my already identifying students as they watched and talked with people who were ‘just like them’.”
    Kelsey ZeranClassroom Teacher at Fulton Middle School
    “Our Diversionary field trips provide opportunities to promote the arts and arts awareness to our students, some of whom can’t afford theatre tickets, or wouldn’t have gone outside their comfort zone to see Diversionary’s provocative pieces.”
    Jeannine MarquisClassroom Teacher at Canyon Crest Academy
    “Working with the Skyler and the Diversionary theater has helped transform my students into thinking about theater as a vehicle for change. I am honored to have such an incredible working experience with their educational program. It has enriched my classroom and made a deep impression on my students and the way I teach my class. Thank you! “
    Jennifer Howardappreciative teacher at HTHNC
    “I never miss an opportunity to drive on a field trip to the theater, and the Diversionary Theater did not disappoint me with their show Amazons and their Men.”
    Denise BosHTHNC parent
    “What struck me walking into your classroom was the collaboration between community leaders (Diversionary Theater) and students sitting in a circle discussing the play after they had seen the performance.”
    Isaac JonesDirector, High Tech High North County
    QUESTIONS?

    Reach Out to Us Here

    Fill out this form with any questions or comments you may have and Diversionary Theatre’s Education Outreach Director, Skyler Sullivan, will be in touch with you shortly.

    Alternatively, you can call us at
    (619) 220-0097 x 109.

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      About Our Arts Education Programs and Outreach

      Arts Education is thriving at Diversionary Theatre, and our programs spread the seeds of understanding and tolerance around our unique mission as the third oldest LBGT theater in the country. Watch this video to learn more about each of our education programs. 

      By sharing LGBTQ stories with our community we bring stories that need to be told, directly into people’s lives. We provide a safe place for all students, and we are excited to extend a lifeline to our LGBTQ youth who may not have the support at home or at their school. We are giving people permission to be who they are, and for many this might be a life saving experience.

      Make a Difference

      All of these programs are only made possible by the generous support of our donors and our community.

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