Playtime Poppy matinee performances are reserved seating events for elementary schools and patrons with special needs.  These performances are not open to the general public.

Staff members attending matinee performances with their students receive an Imagination Guide to incorporate the experience into their classroom exploration.

Matinee Grant Policy & Process

Overview & Sponsors

Playtime Poppy has received generous gifts to underwrite the cost of matinee performances for elementary school children.   We are grateful for the support of our matinee sponsors:

Toyota Financial Services Making Life Easier Fund

Cedar Rapids Tuesday Noon Optimist Club

Purpose of Funds

Grant funds have been designated to underwrite the price of admission for elementary school students (grades K-5) to attend matinee performances of Playtime Poppy productions at our partner high schools.  Priority will be given to those schools whose percentage of students eligible to receive free and reduced-price lunch exceeds 50%.  For these schools, grant funds will also be utilized to underwrite the transportation costs associated with bringing students to the matinee performances.

Distribution of Matinee Performance Information

The Matinee Coordinator will send an email with matinee performance information and reservation form to 1) each elementary school principal; and 2) all teachers who have attended matinee performances in past years, or who have expressed an interest in receiving information.  Should you wish to be included in the distribution of matinee performance information, please email Matinee@PlaytimePoppy.org.

Transportation Costs

For those schools whose percentage of students eligible to receive free and reduced-price lunch exceeds 50%, Playtime Poppy will pay transportation costs associated with attending a matinee performance. Schools must indicate on their Bus Trip Request Form that students are attending a “Playtime Poppy Matinee” and request that an invoice be sent to Playtime Poppy.

FAQs

Are there educational materials available to groups attending matinee performances?

Yes! An Audience Guide filled with information about the play and its author, activities with curricular connections and resources for additional learning is provided to teachers in advance of the performance.

Are homeschool groups eligible to attend matinee performances free of charge?

Yes! All elementary school students (grades K-5) are welcome to attend matinee performances free of charge during this Playtime Poppy season. Please note that any children over the age of 12 months and not yet in Kindergarten are subject to the matinee ticket price of $2.00.

May an AK (alternative kindergarten) class attend the matinee performance?

Matinee grant funds have been designated to underwrite the price of admission for elementary school students (grades K-5). Priority will be given to groups of K-5 students. Should seats be available, we would be happy to accommodate AK classes.

Are preschool groups eligible to attend matinee performances free of charge?

Matinee grant funds have been designated to underwrite the price of admission for elementary school students (grades K-5). Preschool groups are welcome to attend matinee performances! We offer a matinee ticket price of $2.00 for each child (over the age of 12 months) and adult who attends the performance with the preschool group.

Are special needs groups eligible to attend matinee performances free of charge?

Matinee grant funds have been designated to underwrite the price of admission for elementary school students (grades K-5). Special needs groups are welcome to attend matinee performances! We offer a reduced matinee ticket price of $2.00 for each patron (over the age of 12 months) and adult who attends the performance with the group. Please indicate any special seating requests (auditorium location or special concerns with theatrical movement or sounds) on the Matinee Reservation Form.

How many students from our school may attend the matinee performance?

So that we may offer this experience to as many schools as possible, we ask that each school limit their request to two grade levels for each production.  Schools are welcome to request reservations for different grade levels throughout the season.

May our students attend multiple productions throughout the season?

So that we may offer this experience to as many students as possible, we ask that each student attend one matinee performance each season. Schools are welcome to bring different classes of students throughout the season.

What is the process for requesting funds to cover transportation costs?

Please indicate on your Bus Trip Request Form that students are attending a “Playtime Poppy Matinee” and request that an invoice be sent to Playtime Poppy for transportation costs.

What if our group cannot attend the performance?

Please let us know as soon as possible if your group is unable to attend a performance. We do our best to fill every matinee performance throughout the season so that we may share the joy of children’s theatre with as many children as possible. We likely will have a wait list of elementary schools and groups who would love to attend the performance.