Our 2026/27 student matinee performance schedule will be announced later this summer.

Field Trip FAQs

1. When and where are school matinee shows performed?
   Unless otherwise noted, our school matinee performances are held at The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts in Downtown Portland, located at 1000 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205. Specific days and times vary depending on the show.
   
2. How does booking work?
   To book a field trip, please fill out the booking request form on this page. Once we receive your request, we will match your group with an available showtime and contact you with a reservation offer. Please respond within 48 hours to confirm your reservation. If we don’t hear back in time, your offer may be given to another group. Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis.
   
3. How many people can we bring?
   We will do our best to accommodate any group size (the capacity of our mainstage theater is approximately 240.) If we cannot accommodate your group size we may offer to split your group across two different shows. Reservations must have a minimum of 10 tickets. We have a strict 5:1 student to teacher ratio (if you need an exception to this rule for accessibility please let us know.) Adults may be asked to stand or sit in the back of the audience to preserve sight-lines for students.
   
4. Can parents come too?
   Our school matinees are an opportunity for students to experience theater. We encourage parents to discuss chaperone opportunities with their student’s school. All ticket requests must come from the school in question. We are unable to sell individual tickets to school matinee performances. Adults may be asked to stand or sit in the back of the audience to preserve sightlines for students.
   
5. How much are tickets?
   Tickets are $14 for all students, teachers, and chaperones.
   
   We offer half-price tickets to Title 1 schools.
   
6. How does payment work?
   We will send an invoice for your reservation approximately two months before your showtime. The invoices will have a link to our payment portal. If someone else will handle payment, please provide their name and email so we can properly track the transaction. If you prefer to pay via check, checks can be mailed to “Northwest Children’s Theater and School, 1000 SW Broadway, T-100, Portland OR 97205”. Please include the name of the show and the invoice number in the memo line.
   
7. How can I change or cancel a booking?
   Full payment is due at least one month prior to your showtime. If payment isn’t received by this deadline, and we haven’t heard from you, your reservation may be cancelled.
   
   We are unable to provide any refunds.
   
   Any additional tickets must be requested at least two weeks prior to your showtime. Additional tickets are subject to availability. If additional tickets are available, you will receive a separate invoice for the additional cost. Any requests to change your performance date and time must be received at least one month prior to your existing showtime. These changes are subject to availability. The earlier we receive your request, the more likely we are to have space to accommodate your group.
   
8. How does the waitlist work?
   If your requested showtimes are full, we will add you to our waitlist. If you are the first on our waitlist for a showtime that becomes available, and we can accommodate your group size, we will reach out to you offering you the reservation. If you do not respond promptly to this offer, we may offer the show to the next group on our waitlist.
   
9. How can I request a receipt for a payment I made?
   If you need a receipt for a payment, please email schoolmatinees@nwcts.org with the subject line “Receipt Request”. We will respond with your proof of purchase as soon as we are able.
   
10. What are the best methods for parking and transportation?
    Specific parking and transportation information will be sent out a week before your showtime. We suggest arriving 15 minutes before your show. Groups will gather in the lobby and we will show you to your seats when your whole party has arrived.
    
    Public Transit: Public transportation is a great way to get to your show at The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts. We are a two-block walk from the Pioneer Courthouse Square Max stop and near several bus lines. If it is feasible to transport your group on public transportation, we highly encourage it.
    
    Paid Parking: Paid parking garages are available nearby (including one in the same building), but sometimes they fill quickly, and we cannot guarantee parking availability. Paid street parking is also available using pay stations or the Parking Kitty app.
    
    School Busses: Buses should load/unload on SW Main Street between 6th Ave. and Broadway. Buses should not drop off students on SW Broadway. Buses must find their own parking and cannot park around the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall when events are happening. We recommend bus drivers look west of I-405 for the most options.
    
11. Is The Judy wheelchair accessible?
    The Judy is wheelchair accessible. There is an elevator that will take you downstairs to the stage and there are no stairs to enter the audience.
    
12. When do field trips go on sale?
    Our field trips generally go on sale in May or June for the upcoming school year, but it can be as late as August depending on when PPS finalizes the school year calendar. Additional projects and performances may be added throughout the year.
    
13. Who can I contact with other questions?
    The quickest way to receive a response from us is to email schoolmatinees@nwcts.org. Alternatively, you can reach us by filling out our school field trip inquiry form on this webpage. The school matinee phone line is not always staffed, so the best way to reach us is by email.