FREE, Professional Shakespeare for Students, Seniors, and Community Groups
New York Classical Theatre is offering daytime matinee performances of our summer shows to make our productions more accessible to students (best suited for grades 6 and above), seniors, and community groups. Whether you’re an educator looking to bring Shakespeare to life for your students or a community leader seeking engaging cultural experiences, these performances offer a unique opportunity to experience professional theater outdoors in iconic New York City spaces.
Our 2026 production of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar will begin with open rehearsals in May followed by performances starting in early June.
Summer 2026 Schedule
Central Park (Enter at W. 103rd St & Central Park West):
Wednesday, May 20 | 11-12:30pm : Student Behind-the-Scene Rehearsal
Friday, June 5 | 11-1pm: Student Matinee of The Tragedy of Julius Ceasar
Thursday, June 11 | 11-1pm: Student Matinee of The Tragedy of Julius Ceasar
Carl Schurz Park:
Thursday, June 25 | 11-1pm: Senior Matinee of The Tragedy of Julius Ceasar
All matinees are FREE for every group!
How to Attend
We welcome schools, senior centers, community organizations, and other groups to attend. Study guides and lesson plans to prepare your group will be made available in mid-April. To express interest and receive updates, please fill out our our form found at the button below:
Learn more about what to expect here.
Questions? Please reach at info@nyclassical.org
Enhancing the Learning Experience
For teachers, educators, and adult class leaders, we provide:
• Pre- and Post-Performance Discussion Guides
• Connections to Curriculum and Learning Goals
• Interactive Q&A Opportunities
Why We’re Doing This
Increased Accessibility: Most of our performances are in the evening; these matinees allow those unavailable at night to experience our all-professional, all-free live theater.
Educational Impact: Shakespeare comes alive when performed. Our productions provide a dynamic, interactive way to explore classic literature and theatrical techniques.
Community Engagement: These performances create shared cultural experiences for diverse audiences across NYC.
Our 2026 Student Curriculum will be available in early April