2024-2025 Student Matinees
Live art is irreplaceable and plays a vital role in the education, well-being, and social development of young people. Our Education Program features a selection of carefully chosen shows that are relevant, engaging, and exciting for your students. We encourage you to join us in promoting the arts to our youth!
Daytime Events for School Groups only | All shows will be held at The Reif in the Wilcox Theater
Study Guides Available for Select Shows.
Registration begins Thursday, August 1, at 11 a.m. Reservations can also be taken in-person at the Reif Center Box Office, and over the phone 218-327-5780 during regular business hours. One month before each performance, you will receive an invoice.
To reserve more than one show, please submit additional reservation forms.
Tubman: Road to Freedom
Presented by GreatWorks Theatre Company
Friday, February 28, 2025
10:00AM & 12:30PM
Wilcox Theater
Best Enjoyed by Grades 4 – 8
About the Show
Introduce your students to a real-life heroine who led 300 people from slavery to freedom, served the Union army during the Civil War, and was one of the most prominent voices in the push for women’s voting rights. Harriet Tubman was born enslaved, but from the time she was a child, she knew that she had to be free. After several attempts to steal herself away, she finally succeeded in escaping to the North - and that’s just the real beginning of an inspirational true-life adventure story. Harriet went back South dozens of times, eventually bringing over 300 people up to freedom. In addition, she worked as a nurse and a spy with the Union Army, and after the war, became a prominent voice for suffrage for American women.
The Universe at the Symphony
Friday, March 7, 2025
10:00AM & 12:30PM
Wilcox Theater
Best Enjoyed by Grades 3 and up
About the Show
The event will feature three iconic movements from Gustav Holst’s The Planets, and will evoke the sense of wonder found in The Legend of the Northern Lights by composer Christopher Theofanidis, where stories, music, and visuals come together to explain the mysteries of the universe. As in this legend, where a child’s curiosity leads to a deeper understanding of the natural world, this concert seeks to spark that same sense of curiosity and awe. This performance will be elevated by the visual artistry and talks by Dr. José Francisco Salgado, an Emmy-nominated astronomer and visual artist whose work masterfully bridges the gap between science and art. His stunning visual projections, will include imagery from NASA and the European Space Agency, taking the audience on a celestial voyage through space. Dr. Salgado’s work is not just a scientific exploration but an artistic interpretation that invites the audience to marvel at the beauty of the universe. Just as humankind has long looked to the night sky for answers, The Universe at the Symphony will inspire you to wonder about the stars, the planets, and the mysteries of space. Don’t miss this extraordinary event!
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!
Thursday, March 13, 2025
10:00AM (Sold Out) & 12:30PM (Sold Out)
Wilcox Theater
Best Enjoyed by Grades K-2
About the Show
Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! Written by best-selling children’s author Mo Willems, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon - you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Pigeon will have everyone’s wings flapping.
Bill Blagg: The Science of Magic
Friday, April 25, 2025
10:00AM & 12:30PM
Wilcox Theater
Best Enjoyed by Grades 1-5
About the Show
For centuries magicians have used scientific principles to make people levitate in mid-air and vanish in the blink of an eye. Illusionist Bill Blagg’s one-of-a-kind educational experience, The Science of Magic, takes students on a rare, never-before-seen journey “behind the scenes” of the magic world. Students will discover firsthand how magicians use science to create the impossible! Bill’s comedy-filled, action-packed presentation is highly interactive and makes science fun and exciting. Students will use the Scientific Method to levitate one of their teachers in mid-air and even learn how the science of reflection can make their homework magically disappear! In addition, Bill even performs some of his mind-blowing, grand-scale illusions with a scientific twist! Bill caps the show off with an incredible display of the water cycle by making it snow from his bare hands!
Student Matinee Information
Reserved Seating for Groups
Groups will be assigned seating in advance based on the size of group, accessible seating requirements, and grade level.
Please note that submitting a reservation request does not guarantee seats to a performance. Reservations are first-come first-served, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. You will be notified within three (3) to five (5) business days regarding the status of your order.
As we have limited seats, please make your best guess at attendance (be sure to include all teachers, chaperones and students–everyone coming needs a ticket). Please remember, once the invoice is received, the school is responsible to provide payment for all seats requested. Changes to your reservation numbers can be made up until 4 weeks prior to your scheduled performance.
Location & Parking
The Wilcox Auditorium is located inside The Reif at 720 NW Conifer Drive, Grand Rapids, MN. Parking is free with convenient drop off and pick up of passengers at the main entrance.
Prices
Field Trip prices are $8 for students/teachers/chaperones.
We encourage you to inquire with your school district for grant funding.
Homeschool Families pay the group rate of $8 with no minimum number required
No up front money required for reservations. Simply pay with one check or credit card when you receive your invoice.
Performance Attendance
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled performance time.
All school matinee performances are approximately 60 minutes in length, unless otherwise noted.
The Reif strives to provide barrier-free access to performances and events. Please let us know about any accessibility needs your group may have prior to arriving for your performance so we can be prepared to assist.
Home schools are welcome to attend all field trips but may be asked to provide certification documents.
We make every effort to get you and your students back to school in a timely manner. On average, dismissal from a school matinee performance takes 25 minutes from the time the show ends but may take longer depending on the number of schools in attendance. Please plan accordingly.
The Reif is not able to provide space for class lunches.
All performances are subject to change and cancellation. You will be notified of any performance changes.
Inclement Weather And “Snow Days”
If your school is closed due to inclement weather on the day of your scheduled, in-person field trip, please notify our office prior to show time. Your school will receive credit toward a comparable field trip within the same season.
You must contact The Reif within seven business days of your canceled field trip to receive your credit and schedule an alternate trip.
No refunds will be issued for inclement weather.
Bus Fund
Reif Reimbursement Program
Thanks to generous support from Reif sponsors, transportation funding is available for area schools.
The program is first come, first serve. To apply, please submit a Bus Fund Reif Reimbursement application.