Education & Engagement Programs

As part of the social fabric of the city, the Goodman feels a keen responsibility to improve the quality of life in Chicago through first-rate productions and innovative community engagement programs.

The Goodman is nationally recognized as a leader in arts education, and our programs serve nearly 3,000 students and 5,000 adults each year through these initiatives.

Students learning about theatre programs in an audience setting.

School Matinee Series

FOR CHICAGOLAND HIGH SCHOOLS

Students experience Goodman Theatre productions free of charge through the School Matinee Series (SMS), the Goodman’s flagship Education program. Participating Chicago high schools receive standards-based teacher professional development, arts-integrated curriculum across subject areas, production-specific study guides, and tickets to Goodman Student Matinees.

Cindy Bandle Cultural Critics

FOR YOUNG WOMEN, TRANS, NONBINARY, AND GNC WRITERS

Aspiring writers learn critical expression by exploring the world of professional writing in this FREE 12-week program. After honing their critical voices with weekly discussion, readings and writing assignments, students will then expand on those ideas for different audiences by learning to shoot short videos, produce audio stories for podcasts, and write for social media sites.

PlayBuild Youth Intensive

FOR 14 TO 18 YEAR-OLD STUDENTS IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA

Participants share their voice through the art of creating theater. In this skill-building seven-week summer program, students learn industry skills from national theater professionals that are instantly applicable to the world of theater and everyday life, including team and ensemble building, creative problem solving, dramaturgy, research and public speaking. The program culminates in an original performance created by the participants.

Youth Arts Council

FOR 14 TO 21-YEAR OLD ALUMNI AND NEWCOMERS TO GOODMAN’S YOUTH PROGRAMS

Participants become ambassadors for the theater in this youth leadership program. Members liaise between their peers and the Goodman, host events for young audiences and volunteer in their communities and schools.

While at an event, one woman who wears glasses is smiling and about to clap her hands while another woman is looking at something to the right of the screen.

GeNarrations

FOR CHICAGOLAND ADULTS AGED 55+

A storytelling performance workshop in which participants develop personal narrative performance pieces based on themes in Goodman productions, which they are then invited to perform in a public forum. The Goodman offers at least three seven-week sessions each season, with up to 20 participants in each session. This program is presented in collaboration with the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services as well as session-specific community based organizations.