Education Matinees

Education Matinees at Edmonds Center for the Arts

Bring Your Classroom to Life with Live Performance

Each year, Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) is proud to welcome more than 4,500 students and educators to experience the magic of live theatre, music, dance, and science on stage. Our Education Matinee series is thoughtfully curated for Pre-K through 12th grade learners, with curriculum-aligned study guides that connect the performances to Washington State EALRs and Common Core State Standards.

Who Can Attend

Education Matinees are open to public and private school groups, homeschool families, and, when appropriate, groups from senior centers and assisted living communities.

Affordable Access for All

Tickets are $10 per student, with one free chaperone ticket provided for every 10 student tickets purchased. To support access and equity, schools with 30% or more of students on Free & Reduced-Price Meal programs and homeschool families facing financial barriers may qualify for $2 student tickets and transportation subsidies (subject to availability).

Now Accepting 2025–26 Registrations

We’re currently accepting:
– Education Matinee Ticket Request Forms
– Applications for Arts for Everyone and Aunt Bette’s Bus Fund for the 2025–26 school year.

Explore the Season

Browse the full list of 2025–26 Education Matinees below, and check out our short video trailer for a sneak peek at what’s in store this season.

Let’s Get Started

Interested in attending? Fill out the Matinee Ticket Request Form, and we’ll follow up with next steps. We look forward to welcoming you and your students to ECA!

2025/2026 Education Matinee Season

Tati Nuzi & Friends

Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Showtimes: 10AM & 12PM
Recommended for All Ages

Sponsored by Rick & Charlotte Canning and Laura Ellis

Step into a joyful, rhythmic celebration of Haitian culture with an unforgettable performance led by Miami-based artist Inez Barlatier. A dynamic singer, drummer, and storyteller of Ayisyen (Haitian) descent, Inez brings to life the rich traditions of Ayiti (Haiti) through colorful costumes, vibrant dances, folktales, and soul-stirring music.

The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System

Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Showtimes: 10AM & 12PM
Recommended for grades Pre-K to 6

Sponsored by Rick & Charlotte Canning and Kay Corbett

This TheaterWorksUSA’s family musical is based on the popular Scholastic book series. Students and teachers alike will love watching their favorite characters from the classic book & TV series explore the atmosphere on Mercury, Venus, and Mars on an epic interplanetary field trip. Guided by Ms. Frizzle, the class must pull together to find their way across the galaxy while learning as much about teamwork.

Trekking Mexico

Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Showtimes: 10AM & 12PM
Recommended for All Ages

Sponsored by Erin & Carlos Arguelles, Francoise Feliberti, and Toni Baumann & Cara Biden

Students will take a deep dive into folk traditions, both ancient and contemporary, in this colorful educational show. Go on a Mexican expedition of historic and geographic regions through folkloric music and dance. From feeling the rumbling drums of Tenochtitlan to the sweet sounds of the stringed Jaranas of Veracruz, audiences are transported to the jungles of Tabasco and trek the mountains of Guerrero.

Project Convergence

Thursday, April 23, 2026
Showtimes: 10AM & 12PM
Recommended for All Ages

Sponsored by Barclay Shelton Dance Centre, Michelle Zimmerman D’Couto, Lindsay Geyer & Jon Inge, and Toni Baumann & Cara Biden

Project Convergence is an American dance company home to the union of Bharatanatyam and American tap dance. Lauded by both the New York Times and The Hindu, the company presents an experience simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar to audiences by uniting Indian and African-American culture in the universal language of rhythm. In doing so, they show how two cultures can be united seamlessly without erasing the unique identity of either.

Under the Tangle

Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Showtimes: 10AM & 12PM
Recommended for Grades 3+

Sponsored by Barclay Shelton Dance Centre, Doreen & Ralph Boy, Heidi & Royce Napolitino, Jon & Stacie Brown, and Kay Corbett

Visually vibrant, Under the Tangle tells the story of a young, orphaned girl lost in a mysterious wooded labyrinth. Throughout her journey, she twists along the maze finding numerous clues and meeting many unusual characters; a flock of whispering black birds, daunting labyrinth guards, and The Queen of the Lost who lives in the forbidden tower. Geared towards ages 8+, this is an adventurous tale filled with obstacles, relationships, and discoveries which strengthen the heroine’s sense of self, helping her to discover her path throughout the tangled and brambling maze.

Apply for the chance to have an artist visit your school!

ECA is delighted to partner with artists in our matinee and mainstage season to bring arts education, workshops, and outreach opportunities directly to schools.

2025/26 Artists & Registration Info To Be Announced Soon!

Professional Development

This year, we are pleased to offer the following 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.

Please Stay Tuned for Registration Information Coming Soon!