Student Matinees
Ford’s Theatre offers weekday student matinees and accompanying lessons plans to deepen students’ connection to and understanding of the theatre arts. Our theatrical productions spotlight the depth and breadth of the American experience and offer meaningful connections to classroom learning. Bring your students to a matinee and they will experience art that gives them a new perspective on life!
A limited number of free tickets are available to Washington D.C. area public schools, Title I schools, and schools that have 40 percent or more students eligible for FARMs. Schools located within the Capital Beltway may also qualify for free bus transportation.
If you are outside of the D.C. metro area or if your school does not qualify for free tickets, student groups of 10 or more can book tickets at a discounted rate through our group sales team at groups.fords.org. Tickets can be reserved through our Group Sales Office.
Educators, don’t forget to check out our Teacher Preview Workshop and Mister Lincoln Leadership Workshop information at the bottom of the page.
Mister Lincoln
By Herbert Mitgang
Directed by José Carrasquillo
Featuring Scott Bakula as President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln: Advocate and Liberator. Take an up-close journey through Lincoln’s life and words in this witty and revelatory one-man show about the greatest president in our nation’s history. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Applications open on August 20, 2024.
Lincoln Leadership Workshop
Ford’s Theatre Education is offering a free pre- or post-show Lincoln Leadership workshop in association with the show Mister Lincoln. A teaching artist will facilitate a 45 minute in classroom session which includes discussion questions prompting students to explore what leadership means to them, a group problem solving activity and reflection. Supplementary materials may be included in addition to the production lesson plan available online.
The workshop supports the following standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-12.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6-12.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade-level topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
C3 Framework D2.Civ.9.6-8: Compare the means by which individuals and groups influence policies and decisions in various governments.
When applying for matinee tickets, please indicate which whether you would like a pre- or post show workshop and the best dates and times that work for your classroom. Workshops may be scheduled through the end of the calendar year and are dependent on Teaching Artist availability.
Teacher Preview Workshop
Ford’s Theatre offers a free performance and workshop to Washington D.C. area teachers. Educators begin the evening with a complimentary dinner and overview of the show and workshop. You’ll engage in a dynamic workshop and learn arts-integrated approaches to bring the show’s concepts back to your classroom. To complete your experience, educators are invited to attend that evening’s performance at Ford’s Theatre. It’s a great night and you’ll be better prepared to engage your students with the show’s themes. Attendance to the workshop is mandatory for teachers who are confirmed to bring students to our matinee performances.
*Not bringing students to the show but still interested in attending the workshop? Please fill out the application form below and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Mister Lincoln Lesson Plan
Mister Lincoln Lesson Plan Students in grades 6 – 12 will investigate the power of monologues to express a character’s inner thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. […]