LIVE THEATRE HAS A PROVEN, TANGIBLE BENEFIT TO STUDENT LEARNING. AND IT’S FUN!

Our Student Matinees provide young people access to high-quality theatre as a core part of their basic education. Field trips to live theatre have demonstrated enrichment in literary knowledge, tolerance, and empathy among students.

Student Matinees Highlights

  • Fully Staged Shows
  • Affordable Ticketing
  • Study Materials – that meet MN Arts Academic Standards
  • Quality Titles for All Ages

REGISTRATION for 2025/26 OPENS Thursday, May 8 at 3pm

Pick-Your-Price Tickets: If the cost of tickets is preventing you from registering your class, please request pick-your-price tickets when completing the form. We have supporters who want to ensure everyone has access to the transformative power of the arts.

Want to make sure you get our communications for student matinees? CLICK HERE to join our Teachers & Administrators Mailing List.


This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

PreK – 3rd Grade

Elephant & Piggie’s We are in a Play

PERFORMANCES:

  • Tuesday, Sept 23 – 9:30am & 11:30am
  • Thursday, Sept 25 – 9:30am & 11:30am
  • Tuesday, Sept 30 – 9:30am & 11:30am

VENUE: Helgeson Learning Lab Theatre, Waite Park
RECOMMENDED GRADES: This performance will be best for those in PreK-3rd grade.
SHOW LENGTH: 45 minutes + dismissal  & bus loading time.
TICKETS: Students $10 | Adults $12 | 1 free adult ticket for every 15 paid student tickets

Annual Youth Artist Project: a 45-minute musical directed and designed by high school students featuring all youth cast.

Get ready for a wild and whimsical ride based on the beloved book series by Mo Willems! When Elephant and Piggie set out to put on a play, everything goes hilariously wrong—and even more hilariously right.
Full of joy, laughter, and heart, this charming production is ideal for kids and families. With vibrant characters, catchy tunes, and plenty of memorable moments, Elephant & Piggie reminds us all of the power of friendship and being a little silly along the way!

2nd Grade + Up

Annie

PERFORMANCES:

  • Tuesday, Nov 25 at 9:30am
  • Tuesday, Dec 2 at 9:30am
  • Thursday, Dec 4 at 9:30am

VENUE: Paramount Center for the Arts
RECOMMENDED GRADES: This performance will be best for those in 2nd grade and up.
SHOW LENGTH: 2 hrs 15 min (with a wiggle break) + dismissal & bus loading time
TICKETS: Students $12 | Adults $15 | 1 free adult ticket for every 15 paid student tickets.

 A beloved musical about an orphan with big dreams and a bold spirit, filled with adventure, laughter, and hope.

In the depths of the Great Depression, Annie, a determined young orphan, dreams of reuniting with her parents. When she’s invited to spend the holidays with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, her world opens up in ways she never imagined. With her unstoppable optimism, Annie transforms the hearts of those around her—even as the scheming Miss Hannigan tries to stand in her way. With beloved songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” this heartwarming classic continues to inspire.
Brimming with laughter, heart, and unforgettable music, Annie is an uplifting musical that reminds us that no matter how tough life gets, the sun will come out tomorrow.

To Be Announced July 1

PERFORMANCES:

  • Tuesday, April 21 – 9:30am
  • Thursday, April 23 – 9:30am
  • Tuesday, April 28 – 9:30am

VENUE: Paramount Center for the Arts
RECOMMENDED GRADES: This performance will be best for those in 2nd grade and up.
SHOW LENGTH: 2 hrs 15 min (with a wiggle break) + dismissal & bus loading time.
TICKETS: Students $12 | Adults $15 | 1 free adult ticket for every 15 paid student tickets

An amazing-but-super-secret show

Due to licensing restrictions, we can’t reveal the title of this show until July 1—but trust us, it will be worth the wait. By registering your class to attend this show, you’re securing your seats for something that will be truly unforgettable!

4th Grade + Up

School of Rock

PERFORMANCE: Tuesday, Jan 27 at 9:30am
VENUE: Paramount Center for the Arts
RECOMMENDED GRADES: This performance will be best for those in 4th grade and up.
SHOW LENGTH: 2 hrs 15 min (with a wiggle break) + dismissal & bus loading time.
TICKETS: Students $12 | Adults $15 | 1 free adult ticket for every 15 paid student tickets

A high-energy musical adventure packed with rock ‘n’ roll, rebellion, and plenty of head-banging fun.

Dewey Finn, a struggling rock guitarist, poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school, only to turn his class of straight-laced students into a rebellious rock band. As Dewey teaches them the power of music and self-expression, they discover talents they never knew they had. What starts as a wild plan to win a cash prize becomes a journey of self-discovery, changing both Dewey and his students in ways they never expected.
With an electrifying score, infectious energy, and unforgettable songs, School of Rock is a high-energy celebration of music, individuality, and staying true to yourself.

BUSSING, ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Please carefully read the information below and pass this onto your bus drivers. Make sure you are looking at the correct venue. Bus policies have been put into place at each location to ensure the safety of you and your students. Please review the policies before your field trip.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE

913 West St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN 56301

ARRIVAL We ask that you arrive no earlier than 25 minutes prior to showtime. Tell your bus driver to unload students directly in front of the Paramount Theatre. If we have more than two busses parked in front, the bus driver will be asked to pull around the block to wait on 9th Ave N until our bus patrol volunteer motions for them to pull around front. Upon your arrival, a GREAT Theatre volunteer or staff member will board your bus and provide parking, unloading, and loading instructions to the driver. After students have unloaded, busses will be directed to continue down St. Germain Street and park at the St. Cloud Regional Library. 

SEATING We will begin seating approximately 20 minutes before the show starts. The performance will start on time! A GREAT volunteer will help usher your students into their seats. If you need to rearrange students, please do so after everyone has been seated or have them exit the bus in the order you would like them to be seated.

RESTROOMS Please find your seats prior to using the restrooms. The restrooms are limited and easily congested, so plan accordingly. The performance will start on time! If you need to use the restrooms prior to leaving, please notify a GREAT volunteer when you arrive so we can plan dismissal accordingly.

DISMISSAL About 20 minutes before the show is over, the GREAT bus patrol volunteer will let your driver know when to report back to the Paramount Theatre. In order to return students to their schools in a timely manner we will dismiss you by school during the cast Q&A. It is important to follow instructions on order of dismissal as well as which door to park in front of. The students are simultaneously being dismissed from the theatre with the same instructions. For the safety of all, we ask that you wait inside until a GREAT volunteer lets you know that your bus has pulled up. Please count your students as they wait in line to load. We cannot allow buses to remain parked in the loading area for head counts. Your cooperation will make everyone’s departure a smooth and quick process.

EMERGENCY If an emergency arises on the day of your show, please call GREAT at 320.258.2787

Helgeson LEARNING LAB THEATRE

710 Sundial Drive, Waite Park, MN 56387

Park to unload students directly in front of the South East doors (near the back of the building). Look for the blue GREAT Theatre flags. Drivers may park in the parking lot directly behind and adjacent to the building.

 

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

  • Please include all students, teachers, and chaperones in your ticket order.
  • When ordering seats please include any accessibility needs (wheelchair seating, difficulty with stairs, low vision, hard of hearing, etc.) and any special requests (first dismissal, last dismissal, need to use bathrooms before boarding bus, etc.). GREAT will try to accommodate all requests within reason.
  • You will receive a bus arrival time in your email within the weeks before your performance.
  • Remember to turn off all cell phones and electronic devices before the performance begins.
  • Please make sure that everyone in your group knows that there is NO recording or photography permitted during any GREAT performance. (Photos of your students under the marquee, etc. are permitted.)
  • Inform students that there is no food, drink, or gum allowed in the theater.
  • On the performance day if you are delayed and you will be arriving after the performance begins please call 320-258-2787.

SEATING

  • Groups will be seated by ushers upon arrival.
  • Seating is determined by many factors. Accessibility needs, group size, and grade level are all taken into account when seating charts are created.
  • Please allow ushers to seat your entire group before rearranging student seating and taking groups to the bathroom, etc.
  • If you have an absent student please see an usher about a student voucher.

IN THE THEATRE

  • Notify the nearest usher if there is a medical emergency.
  • After the performance please remain in your seats. Schools will be dismissed through the PA system. When your school is dismissed an usher will guide you to the correct door.
  • While dismissal is happening, actors will be on stage to answer questions from the audience.
  • When leaving remind students to look for all hats, coats, mittens etc.
  • When at the Paramount please count students as they board the bus so that the bus can leave the front of the building as soon as possible.

AFTER LEAVING THE THEATRE

  • After the performance an email will be sent to the person who reserved the seats.
  • Let us know what you think of the show! Feedback from students and staff is always appreciated. Letters can be mailed to: GREAT Theatre, 710 Sundial Drive, Waite Park, MN 56387 or email Emily@GREATTheatre.org
  • If you have any additional questions, please call GREAT at 320-258-2787 or email our Education Manager – Emily@GREATTheatre.org