Student Matinees
Captain Friendship
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: K-5
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Captain Friendship is our super fun, super impactful, superhero themed bully prevention circus adventure! There’s trouble under the big top as the Bully Bandit has struck fear in the hearts of all the performers. It’s up to one superhero to stand up and make a difference – Captain Friendship! Audiences learn to stand up to the Bully Bandit and find that kindness is the ultimate super-power!
Friend Request
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: 4-8
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 11:00 AM
A series of fun and informative vignettes, Friend Request explores the good and bad parts of social media and online culture. Technology can be great, but it also comes with some serious temptations and pitfalls. This quirky show gives your audience practical ways to address issues like cyberbullying, online safety, and understanding how to have positive relationships with friends both online and in real life.
FrankenSTEM
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: K-6
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Dr. Frank N. Stein is one of the world’s most famous scientists. Along with his trusty assistant, Igor, Dr. Stein has created some of the world’s most amazing inventions! But those inventions would be nothing without YOUR imagination. It will take Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to make his latest masterpiece come to life! This show helps students learn why STEM subjects are so important to the modern world while opening up an exciting world of STEM discovery. Back by popular demand, see why audiences made this our most popular STEM show ever!
Lady of Bullyburg
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: Pre K-3
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Lady Kindness is looking to save her town from a visiting bully. Learn to bring kindness to your community by gathering the tools you need to help prevent bullying.
Elf Jr.
Presented by Asheville Community Theatre
Best For Grades: K-12
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Winter Fables
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: K-5
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 9:00 AM
These fables from the legendary Greek storyteller, Aesop, have been delighting young and old alike for thousands of years, and they still have a message for us today. Perfect for younger audiences, these classic tales entertain but also share a strong message about treating others fairly and knowing right from wrong. Stories like “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” “The Tortoise and The Hare,” and “The Lion and The Mouse” leave audiences with a message that is both timely, and timeless!
Heroes of the Underground Railroad
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: K-5
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM
During one of the darkest periods of American History, thousands of enslaved people undertook a harrowing journey to find freedom. That story comes to life in Heroes of the Underground Railroad. This play highlights several of the heroic stories of the brave men and women who dared to escape slavery, and the abolitionists who risked everything to aid them along the way. Your audiences will be amazed at the heroics of Harriet Tubman, Henry “Box” Brown, Frederick Douglass, Levi Coffin, and John Parker in this incredible show of true American Heroes.
Rosa Parks & Friends
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: K-5
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Take a journey through time with Rosa Parks and where some of the most remarkable figures from history come to life. Meet abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Sojourner Truth, and Civil Rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and, of course, Rosa Parks! An important story for any audience, this show gives a remarkable view of the challenges met by these amazing Black Americans. This historical journey will delight and inspire audiences with the triumphant power of the human spirit shown by these true heroes of history.
Empowered, Brilliant, and Brave: Great Women of Black History
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: K-12
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Meet some of Black History’s most inspiring women!
Alice in Wonderland
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: K-12
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 9:00 AM
The Lewis Carroll literary classic is magically brought to life in this 45 minute adventure. Join Alice on her journey into the rabbit hole, packed with some eccentric and fantastical characters who take your audience on an imaginative ride. Since 1865 this literary classic has been a favorite among young readers and we can’t wait to bring it to life. Join the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and Alice on this adventure in Wonderland.
Gus Goes Green: Earth Day Edition
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: K-5
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Just in time for Earth Day, this play follows “Gus” (a giant dog puppet) who leads audiences on a STEM-inspired adventure around the globe. He uses clever resources to find creative solutions for a thirsty man in the desert, a wacky inventor, a toy maker and one very funny bug. Audience volunteers join Gus on stage to engineer a device for gathering water, build a unique toy from recycled materials and more! By the end of the play Gus and his friends use Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to find smart solutions to real-life issues. This show is designed to encourage young people to help the Earth through recycling, energy conservation and creative thinking.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre
Best For Grades: Pre K-3
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 9:00 AM
A special gift for a young boy opens up a heartwarming tale of childhood and imagination. Through thick and thin, this story shows us how much care it takes to hold on to special friends, and how important it is to sometimes let those things go. With endearing costumes and unforgettable characters, the Velveteen Rabbit is sure to appeal to your young audience. Based on the classic tale by Margery Williams Bianco, this show examines what it means to love and what it means to be real.
Matilda: The Musical
Presented by Asheville Community Theatre
Best For Grades: K-12
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her school teacher Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace! Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Matilda is a joyous, powerful romp. Audiences will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
Student Matinee performances at Asheville Community Theatre are exciting and inspiring – they are a great way for your students to experience live theatre!
Our productions and their accompanying study guides support the following NC Essential Standards:
- Arts Education Essential Standards in Theatre Arts:
o Use movement, voice, and writing to communicate ideas and feelings. (K-5.C.1)
o Use performance to communicate ideas and feelings. (K-5.C.2)
o Analyze literary texts and performances. (K-8.A.1)
o Understand how to design technical theatre components, such as costumes, sets, props, makeup, lighting, and sound. (K-8.AE.1)
o Understand the traditions, roles, and conventions of theatre as an art form. (K-8.CU.2) - Reading Standards for Literature
o Key Ideas and Details (K-8)
o Craft and Structure (K-8)
o Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (K-8) - Writing Standards
o Text Types and Purposes (K-8)
o Research to Build and Present Knowledge (K-8) - Speaking and Listening Standards
o Comprehension and Collaboration (K-8)
Teacher guides with class activities will be available to all classes in attendance.
Where do we park? What if it snows? Please download and read out ACT Student Matinee Information Packet before you reserve!
Tickets and Information
Reservations are first come, first serve, and seating is limited. Reservations must be made online. You may receive one (1) complimentary teacher/chaperone ticket with every 20 paid student tickets. Additional teacher/chaperone tickets must be purchased at full price in advance. Bus drivers receive one complimentary ticket upon request. Bus driver comps are in addition to the standard teacher/chaperone comp allotment. Please include all teachers, chaperones, and bus drivers (as well as students!) in your reservation count so that we have a seat for everyone!
Fill out Reservation Form here.
After completing the reservation form, please allow one week for us to process your reservation request. If space is available for your group, you will receive an invoice via email. If space is not available, you will receive a notice that you are on the wait-list. You are more than welcome to contact us at any time with any questions!
Please feel free to call if you have any questions. See you at the theatre!
Joshua Runkles, Box Office Manager
Asheville Community Theatre
35 E. Walnut Street
Asheville, NC 28801