With support from the California Arts Council, Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Student Matinee Series will bring approximately 1,500 public school students to specially designated performances in the 2020-21 season. The School of Theatre provides study guides prior to the performances, offers pre-show workshops at the theatre, and invites students to participate in post-show talkbacks with the cast after each performance. All activities take place at the Theatre’s facilities in downtown Berkeley.
Year-round, Berkeley Rep presents an eclectic season of plays and special event productions in our two theatres: the Roda Theatre (seats 600) and Peet’s Theatre (seats 400). Berkeley Rep’s School of Theatre provides meaningful arts experiences for children, teens, and adults each year. Through free and deeply discounted in-school theatre arts workshops for Bay Area classrooms; student matinees; onsite classes; Teen Council; DIG IN, a digital theatre access initiative; and our new Transformational Arts Program for individuals in the carceral system, Berkeley Rep ensures broad access to dynamic arts educational activities and provides immersive training for current and future theatre makers. The Ground Floor: Berkeley Rep’s Center for the Creation and Development of New Work allows Berkeley Rep to engage in a comprehensive and ambitious process for new play development by supporting artists with activities including commissions, workshops, readings, world premiere productions, and the annual Summer Residency Lab. Berkeley Rep’s In Dialogue program places its theatre-making skills and resources in service of the community. Using storytelling as an anchor, In Dialogue is developing long-term collaborations with local, socially centered organizations, as well as educating and activating our audiences around organizations whose work aligns with the themes of our productions.

