Experience the magic of live opera! Student groups are invited to attend final dress rehearsals of Lyric Opera performances at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. To enhance learning, teachers receive curricular resources aligned with state and national standards. Schools are also encouraged to schedule a pre-teaching session led by Lyric Opera’s Learning Department.
All shows are recommended for grades 5 and above. For more information regarding content, please reach out to
education@kcopera.org.
2025–2026 Student Dress Rehearsals
Cinderella
Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 6:00 pm
Performed in Italian with English captions
Madame Butterfly
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 6:00 pm
Performed in Italian with English captions
Porgy and Bess
Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 6:00 pm
Performed in English with English captions
Of Mice and Men
Wednesday, February 26, 2026 | 2:00 pm
Performed in English with English captions
Registration coming soon.
Student Dress Rehearsal FAQ
Student groups who participate in a pre-teaching session arrive at the opera more engaged, better prepared, and more connected to the performance. These sessions make a noticeable difference in how students experience the dress rehearsal.
A $200 pre-teaching session brings Lyric Opera education staff and artists to your school to deliver an interactive lesson designed specifically for your students. This session offers a thoughtful introduction to the opera’s story, music, and central themes.
Single pre-teaching sessions are available for Cinderella, Madame Butterfly, and Of Mice and Men.
The Gershwins®' Porgy and Bess offers students a rare opportunity to experience an American operatic masterpiece, exploring the joys and struggles of a Black community in early 20th-century Charleston, South Carolina. To support deeper engagement with the opera’s cultural, historical, and musical themes, schools attending the dress rehearsal are invited to participate in a three-session residency. Facilitated at your school by Lyric Opera’s Learning Department, teaching artists, and Porgy and Bess performers, these sequential workshops include two sessions before the dress rehearsal and one reflective session afterward, immersing students in the who, what, where, when, and why of the opera.
Cost includes dress rehearsal seating and access to curricular resources.
Student attendees: $6 per individual
Adult chaperones (maximum 1 chaperone for every 5 students): $6 per individual
Additional adult chaperones (homeschool only): $24 per individual
Pre-teaching session (Cinderella, Madame Butterfly, and Of Mice and Men): $200
Porgy and Bess Residency: $600
- Applicants must be pre-defined student groups (i.e. choir, ELA class, Thespian troupe, collegiate opera workshop, etc.).
- All non-chaperones must be between 5th grade and college, or ages 10 and 18 for homeschool students.
- All non-chaperones must be members of the student group; siblings and others will not be admitted.
- Applicants will submit a short statement detailing how the experience will be implemented in the classroom and coursework.
- All groups must meet the minimum size of ten (10) students and two (2) chaperones.
- All groups must have no more than one (1) chaperone per five (5) students.
- Homeschool groups may include additional adult chaperones for an increased cost.
- If your group requires additional chaperones, please email Manager of Learning Emily Bridges at ebridges@kcopera.org.
If you or your group cannot meet these criteria, we encourage you to take advantage of the student and educator rush tickets at selected public performances.
- Seating information will be provided on individual wristbands.
- Wristbands will be distributed to groups when they arrive at the event.
- Students and chaperones will receive separate wristband colors.
- Group leaders should plan to arrive early to receive all wristbands for their group and to distribute them accordingly.
- We encourage homeschool group leaders to establish a name for their group and bring a sign with the name clearly printed for the purpose of gathering group members as they arrive.
- Adults and other individuals unaccounted for in registration will not be admitted.
Registration coming soon.
We encourage early registration. Payment is due at the time of registration. Registration closes 7 days prior to the dress rehearsal date. No refunds will be issued.
Payment can be made by card.
All dress rehearsals will be the held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre. Groups should arrive 30 minutes early to ensure adequate time for seating.
Transportation to and from the Kauffman Center is the responsibility of the visiting group. Funding to help schools defray the cost of transportation may be available through the Kauffman Center’s Open Doors Transportation Fund or Missouri Arts Council’s Big Yellow School Bus Grant. Buses may be accommodated at the Kauffman Center.
Parking is available in the Arts District Garage or on nearby streets. Garage costs may be found on the Kauffman Center's website here.
Groups with individuals requiring accommodations are encouraged to reach out to education@kcopera.org.
Emily Bridges, Manager of School Programs
(816) 802-6053
ebridges@kcopera.org
Neal Long, Director of Learning
(816) 802-6054
nlong@kcopera.org
Gallery
Additional Student Ticket Options
Can’t make it to the dress rehearsal? There are still great ways for students and educators to experience opera at Lyric Opera of Kansas City!
Discounted student and educator rush tickets are available. More information here.
Teens and their guests can also take advantage of $5 day-of tickets through TeenTix KC. More information here.
