classes and activities for students
Enhance your students' experience at OSF with pre- and post-show activities, events and classes.
Post-show discussions
A member of the cast talks with students after Special Matinee performances in the Angus Bowmer Theatre lobby. Each lasts approximately 30 minutes and is free.
Prologues
A half-hour introduction to a play presented by a company member. Prologues introduce characters, themes, language and other background information preparing students to get the most out of the playgoing experience. Prologues are offered for every play in the season and are recommended for Hamlet, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Pride and Prejudice, Ruined, Twelfth Night, Henry IV, Part One, The Merchant of Venice.
$40 per group. Limited to 15-80 participants. Groups of 30 participants or fewer may be combined with another group. Prologues are offered every 30 minutes from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and at 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday.
How to order this event
Workshops
Two hours of on-your-feet exercises led by one or two company members designed to explore themes, characters and language of the plays your students will see on their visit to OSF.
$130 per group. Limited to groups of 15-50. Sessions led by one company member are offered for groups of 15-20 at $80 per group. Tuesday – Sunday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. March through mid-June, and September through October.
How to order this event
Exploring Design: Hamlet
What inspires the designs for this season's productions? What factors influenced the designers' choices? These questions and more are answered in a one-hour exploration of the creative process. Students discover how the words of the script are turned into a production on stage by investigating visual research, drawings, photos from previous productions and fabric samples.
$65 per group. Limited to 15-50 participants. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. March through mid-June, and September through October.
How to order this event
Discussions
Spend a stimulating hour with a company member reflecting on one or more plays your group has seen. $60 per group. Limited to 15-50 participants. Wednesday – Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
How to order this event
Student backstage tours
The Student Backstage Tour reveals “the show behind the show” and what it takes to produce a play. Plus, a three-hour set change is condensed into a five-minute time-lapsed video. This walking tour includes indoor and outdoor spaces, so ask students to dress accordingly. Large groups may be divided into smaller groups or combined with other school groups to ensure a quality tour for all participants. Reservations are required; please include tour reservations with your ticket order. $7.80 per person during the value season. 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Available spring and fall, Wednesday – Sunday.
Note: The Student Backstage Tour includes a flight of stairs between each stop, totaling six flights of stairs with 15-minute intervals of sitting in between. A stairless tour is available with at least three days notice. To order stairless tour tickets, please call (541) 482-4331.
How to order this event