Edmonds Center for the Arts is closed to the public July 1-July 5. Our box office will not be open this week, but tickets for our upcoming shows can still be purchased online.
Are you a homeschool parent interested in attending student matinees with your family? Please see the link under each performance to register.
Each year, ECA welcomes over 4,500 students and teachers to a diverse selection of theatre, music, science, and dance performances. Our annual line-up includes offerings designed for students from Pre-K through 12th grade, with curricular materials provided that connect what students see on the stage to Washington State EALRs and Common Core State Standards.
Education Matinees are open to school groups, homeschool families and, when appropriate, groups from local senior centers and assisted living facilities. Tickets are $10 per student, with one free teacher/chaperone ticket for every 10 student tickets sold. ECA is now accepting applications for Arts for Everyone, Aunt Bette’s Bus Fund, and school group registration forms for the 2024-25 school year. With the goal to increase access to the arts, schools with 30% or higher of students on Free & Reduced-Price Meal programs and homeschool families with financial barriers are given priority for $2 student tickets and transportation subsidies, pending availability.
Interested in bringing your school group to an Education Matinee? Please fill out the Matinee Ticket Request Form and we will get back to you quickly with next steps.
Raices de Nuestra Musica/Our Musical Roots
September 25, 2024
Showtimes: 10am & 12pm
Recommended for Grades K-12
Registration for Homeschool Parents
Quinteto Latino is a San Francisco Bay Area classical wind quintet melding the vibrant colors and vigorous rhythms of Latin American music with the sumptuous voices of the wind quintet. Founded in 2004, the ensemble is devoted to expanding the boundaries of classical music through performance and advocacy of work exclusively created by Latinx composers. Their commissioning, mentoring, and educational initiatives are focused on accessibility & relevancy of BIPOC classical music in pursuit of inspiring audiences across cultural, class, and ethnic lines. Commissioning new work by Latinx artists is integral to Quinteto Latino's effort in diversifying the wind quintet repertoire.
Their student matinee "Raices de Nuestra Musica/Our Musical Roots" dives into traditional Latin music and explores native songs, music and languages from five countries represented on stage. This is an interactive musical journey, where students learn about the art of wind instruments and engage with artists on stage through rhythm, melody, and repetition. The enrollment of this student matinee comes with lesson plans and educator professional development session.
Curriculum Connections
Literacy: RL.K.1-RL.5.1, RL.K.3-RL.5.3, SL.K.1-SL.5.1,SL.K.4-SL.5.4,L.K.4-L.5.4
Music: MU:Re7.1.k-12, MU:RE8.1 K-12, MU:RE 9.1 K-12, MU: Pr10.1 K-12, MU:Pr11.1 K-12
Sponsored by Carissa Castaldo, Erin & Carlos Arguelles, Tanya Sharp & Morgan MacRury
November 13, 2024
Showtimes: 10am & 12pm
Recommended for Grades K-5
Registration for Homeschool Parents
Unlock the magic of literacy and creativity at our exclusive student matinee featuring the Grammy-winning sensation, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, renowned for his vibrant blend of hip-hop, soul, funk, and reggae. Hip hop has always been about bringing different elements together to create a powerful artistic union. The Secret Agency represents this through the diversity of its members, each of whom come from different backgrounds and bring unique skills to the show. From musical theater graduates to battle champions, they all unite under the original purpose of hip-hop culture: Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun! The dancers' acrobatic moves mesmerize kids and keeps them feet with interactive elements. The Secret Agency encourages kids to be proud of their own unique individuality, and remind grownups how exciting, scary, and beautiful it is to be young. This electrifying matinee encourages children to explore language and storytelling in new ways, perfectly aligning with literacy curricula to promote critical thinking and creativity. The performance offers rich linguistic insights, and interactive elements that nurture analytical skills and imagination. Their diverse musical backdrop enhances social awareness and empathy. This show supports literacy goals by merging music, language, and cultural understanding, and here is what others are saying:
“Nobody is making better ‘Kid-Hop’ than Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.”- NPR
“Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has married the complex beats of hip-hop with the magical world of kids.” - Today
The enrollment of this student matinee comes with a 6-month Rhyme Package that teachers and home school parents can utilize, and a comprehensive study guide featuring lessons on the history of hip-hop and its influence on urban art & dance, in addition to the DJ & the MC.
Curriculum Connections
Literacy: RL.K.1-RL.5.1, RL.K.3-RL.5.3, SL.K.1-SL.5.1, SL.K.4-SL.5.4,L.K.4-L.5.4
Music: MU: Re7.1.k-12, MU:RE8.1 K-12, MU:RE 9.1 K-12, MU: Pr10.1 K-12, MU:Pr11.1 K-12
Theater: TH: Re7.1.k-12, TH:RE8.1 K-12, TH:RE 9.1 K-12, TH: Pr10.1 K-12, TH:Pr11.1 K-12
Sponsored by Laura Ellis
March 26,2025
Showtimes: 10am & 12pm
Recommended for Grades K-5
Registration for Homeschool Parents
Get ready to experience the beloved children's book like never before! Dive into the whimsical world of Ada Twist, an eight-year-old scientist with insatiable curiosity and a knack for solving mysteries with science. Alongside her friends, Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck, Ada embarks on thrilling adventures that will captivate your students and enhance their love for learning.
This exciting production not only brings a favorite story to the stage but also seamlessly integrates key elements of the STEM curriculum, focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math. By fostering a spirit of inquiry and problem-solving, "Ada Twist, Scientist" encourages students to think critically and creatively. With curriculum connections in music, communication and language arts, and social studies, and themes that promote resilience, teamwork, and friendship, this show is a perfect educational tool for inspiring young minds. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to bring the magic of learning and exploration to your students through the power of musical theater! The enrollment of this student matinee comes with one hard cover book per school, and comprehensive study guide that integrates theater with science experiments!
Curriculum Connections
Literacy: RL.K.1-RL.5.1, RL.K.3-RL.5.3, SL.K.1-SL.5.1, SL.K.4-SL.5.4,L.K.4-L.5.4
Music: MU: Re7.1.k-12, MU:RE8.1 K-12, MU:RE 9.1 K-12, MU: Pr10.1 K-12, MU:Pr11.1 K-12
Musical Theater: TH: Re7.1.k-12, TH:RE8.1 K-12, TH:RE 9.1 K-12, TH: Pr10.1 K-12, TH:Pr11.1 K-12
Sponsored by Kay Corbett
April 17, 2025
Showtimes: 10am & 12pm
Recommended for Grades K-12
Registration for Homeschool Parents
Written and performed by Honolulu Theatre for Youth ensemble from Honolulu, Hawaii, this play introduces audiences to the Native Hawaiian relationship to pa‘akai (salt). Traditionally, pa‘akai is food, medicine, a sacrament and a treasured gift. The play follows a family with multiple generations of salt farmers on Kauai, mixing in ancient stories, hula, live music, original songs and plenty of audience participation into a tasty potluck of performance, joyously served up with aloha. Created in partnership with the Bishop Museum and cultural elders and leaders, the performance is intended for a multi-generational audience, so audience members young and old can have this restorative experience together. Curricular connections include Language Arts (Oral History Interviews, traditional fables), History/Social Studies (humans' relationship and connection nature throughout time), Native & Indigenous cultures celebration, Fine Arts (film, puppetry, multimedia design), and Social/Emotional Learning Development (Bravery, resilience, community, racism, self-awareness, delf management and relationship skills). The enrollment of this student matinee comes with a professional development workshop and comprehensive study guide featuring visual arts, social studies, and literacy activities.
Curriculum Connections
Theater: TH: Cn11.1.K-12, TH:Re7.1.k-12, TH:Pr6.1 K-12
Social Studies: SSS 3.3.1
History: H1.3.1, H1.3.2, H1-12.5.2, H2.k.2,H2.1.1, H2.2.2, H2.3.1, H2.k.1,H2.k.2, H2.3.2, H3.3.1, H4.3.2,H4.3.3,H4.11-12.3, H2.9-10.2
Literacy: RL. 4..3, RL.5.2, RL.6.2, SL.4.2, SL.5.1, SL.6.1, L.4.1,L.5.1
Sponsored by Jackson Loos & Vivian Ayers
May 21,2025
Showtimes: 10AM & 12PM
Registration for Homeschool Parents
Invite your students on a vibrant journey through West Africa with Gansango Music & Dance's interactive student matinee! Directed by Etienne Cakpo, originally from Benin and now an esteemed choreographer in Seattle, this company offers a dynamic performance that showcases traditional and contemporary African dance and music.
During this immersive experience, students will not only witness the rich cultural tapestry of Benin, Ghana, and Togo through powerful performances of ritualistic and historical dances like the Chenkoumé and Zehli, but they will also engage directly with the artists through interactive segments designed to enrich their understanding of West African cultures. Accompanied by live traditional percussion such as djembé and djun-djun, and adorned in colorful handmade costumes that tell stories of their own. The enrollment of this student matinee comes with one professional development workshop.
Curriculum Connections
Music: MU: Cn11.1.K-12, MU:Re7.1.k-12, MU:Pr6.1 K-12
Dance: DA:Cn11.1.K-12, DA:Re7.1.k-12, DA:Pr6.1 K-12
Social Studies: SSS 3.3.1
Study Guide
Sponsored by Barclay Shelton Dance Centre, Jon & Stacie Brown, Matthew & Nicole Cox, Tanya Sharp & Morgan MacRury
ECA is delighted to partner with artists in our mainstage season to bring arts education, workshops, and outreach opportunities directly to schools.
We're thrilled to be working with the following artists this coming year:
Jahari Stampley – 24-year-old Jazz Pianist
Nobuntu – A cappella group from Zimbabwe
Sphinx Virtuosi – Black & Latinx Chamber Orchestra
Las Guaracheras – All-women salsa sextet
Teachers interested in working with featured mainstage and/or student matinee artists can apply for a site visit here.
A member of the Education Department will notify you directly if your school has been selected. Site visits are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are dependent upon artist availability.
This year, we are pleased to offer professional development workshops to complement the student matinee experience.
Teachers will work with artists to either prepare for their visit to the theater, or unpack what students experienced, through reflective conversations and hands on activities.
All workshops take place after school in ECA's Center Classroom.
Monday, October 21, 2024 | 4:30pm-6pm
In this workshop, Quinteto Latino’s French hornist Armando Castellano unpacks content covered in the Latine musical student matinee taking place on National Hispanic Heritage Month. This workshop is a pre-show walk through that offers educators’ tools for discussion during the field trip and conversational tools for after the student ECA visit. Teachers will dive into curriculum that highlights culturally inclusive and culturally authentic practices. Teachers should expect to partake in hands-on music making activities in this class.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | 4:30pm-6pm
In this workshop ECA’s education team will walk participants through the history and evolution of hip-hop. This conversation will highlight hip-hop in urban art, from graffiti to breakdancing to the DJ, and the birth of the MC. Participants will walk away building graffiti art of their own and an accompanying spoken word piece. Teachers registered in this workshop will attain a 6-month Rhyme Package and a comprehensive study guide featuring lessons to prepare students for the 23 Skidoo Student Matinee!
November 2024: Date TBA | 4:30pm-6pm
In this workshop ECA’s education team will walk participants through the history and evolution of hip-hop. This conversation will highlight hip-hop in urban art, from graffiti to breakdancing to the DJ, and the birth of the MC. Participants will walk away building graffiti art of their own and an accompanying spoken word piece. Teachers registered in this workshop will attain a 6-month Rhyme Package and a comprehensive study guide featuring lessons to prepare students for the 23 Skidoo Student Matinee!
Monday, April 28, 2025 | 4:30pm-6pm
In this workshop, Las Guaracheras facilitate a percussion workshop that focuses on the rich fusion of Afro-Caribbean and Latin American rhythms. In this workshop, Las Guaracheras will share their experiences in the music industry and highlight the role of women in music and the importance of diversity in the industry. Educators can expect to walk out with a new profound understanding of Afro Caribbean music.
April 2025: Date TBA | 4:30pm-6pm
Take part in a performing arts workshop that unpacks what students have experienced on the stage at the Pa’akai We Bring student matinee. Teachers attending this class will attain tools to prepare students for their student matinee visit and also work on post-show reflection activities.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 | 4:30pm-6pm
Teachers participating in this workshop will experience traditional dance from Benin and other countries across Africa. This includes ritualistic dances, regional social ceremony dances, such as the Chenkoumé dance from Savalou, and royal historical dances such as the Zehli dance from the late 1800’s. Live drums (djembé, djun-djun and paholé) and percussion (shaker and bell) accompany modern dance arrangements based on traditional movement while colorful attire provides cultural context. Teachers will work with artists unpack what students experienced during the matinee through reflective conversations and hands on activities. Teachers should expect movement in class and are encouraged to dress comfortably.
ECA's Education department offers backstage tour field trips for students to learn about job opportunities in the arts. For more information or to schedule a tour please contact nick@ec4arts.org