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Student Matinee

Student Matinee is a beloved community offering facilitated by Colorado Ballet Education & Community Engagement. The day before the premiere of a Colorado Ballet company production, the doors to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House open for students and community members to watch the final dress rehearsal. Student groups are invited to experience ballet up close, complete with full costumes, make-up, sets, lighting and sound for a heavily discounted price (see below). As the curtain opens, the magic begins!

For other offerings, see Productions & Assemblies.
Interested in moving with us? See our Movement Experiences.

  • 2026–2027
     Productions

  • Don Quixote 
    Thursday, October 1 | 10:30 AM–12:45 PM

  • The Nutcracker
    Thursday, December 3 | 11:00 AM–12:50 PM

    The Nutcracker
    (Title I Schools Only)
    Friday, December 4 | 11:00 AM–12:50 PM

  • Romeo & Juliet
    Thursday, January 28 | 10:00 AM–12:45 PM

  • The Wizard of Oz
    Thursday, March 4 | 11:00 AM–12:55 PM

  • MasterWorks
    Thursday, April 8 | 12:30 PM–3:30 PM
    (Includes dancer notes and a student Q&A)

RESERVE A SPOT

To reserve a spot for any of the productions, use the button to complete the form for the corresponding student matinee. Watch this video to learn more or go through this step-by-step guide. PLEASE NOTE: the reservation process is different this year and you will be asked to pay upon making your reservation.

10 is the minimum amount of seats that may be purchased for all student matinee performances (5 of the 10 seats are required to be students). Requests that do not meet these requirements will be cancelled

Completing your purchase secures seats at the student matinee; your confirmation email will reflect your section. The confirmation email is all you will need when you arrive at the theater for the student matinee!

Questions? Contact education@coloradoballet.org

How is the ticketing process different than before?

The ticketing process is now fully online and self-service. Schools and organizations select their performance, ticket type (based on FRL%), seating section, and quantity directly through the ticketing system. Orders are only confirmed once checkout is completed, so accuracy is important. If you need more than 100 tickets total, please reach out to education@coloradoballet.org directly.

If I can't pay right away, can I still reserve tickets?

Only PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUPS can reserve tickets without paying. If you are a home school, dance studio, etc., you will need to wait until you can pay for your seats to reserve tickets. If you are a public school and would like to reserve tickets and pay the invoice at a later date, please contact us directly at education@coloradoballet.org.

What if I need to cancel my tickets?

Please contact us immediately if you need to cancel your tickets. Cancellations/refunds will not be considered if it is less than one month before the performance date/time. 

MORE FAQs 

Will tickets sell out?
Yes. Seating is limited, and availability is shown in real time when selecting your section. We recommend booking early to secure your preferred seats. When you place your order, you may also request to be notified if additional seats become available.

Will there be physical tickets for this event?
No physical tickets are issued. After checkout, you will receive a confirmation email with important details for your visit. This email serves as your ticket confirmation. Additional event information will be sent closer to the performance date.

Is there a limit to how many tickets I can buy? What if I need more?
Yes, the minimum ticket order is 10 tickets and the maximum ticket order is 100 tickets. If you need more than 100 tickets or additional seats beyond availability, please contact us directly for assistance.

Do I have to pay with a credit card? What if I need to send a check?
Online checkout requires a credit card. If you need to arrange an alternative payment method, please contact us before placing your order at education@coloradoballet.org.

What if I need ADA accessible seating?
We are happy to accommodate ADA seating requests and other accessibility needs. Please contact us directly at education@coloradoballet.org so we can ensure appropriate seating arrangements.

How do I know what price tier to choose?
Ticket pricing is based on your school or organization’s Free/Reduced Lunch Percentage (FRL%) rate. Please select the correct ticket type when ordering, as incorrect selections may result in cancellation. If you are a homeschool, dance studio, or other organization that does not have a Free/Reduces Lunch Percentage, please select the "FRL N/A" price tier. 

Who should I contact if I have issues with my order?
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to:
Email: education@coloradoballet.org
Phone: (303) 339-1646

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Cost

FRL Rate 

Price per seat 

91-100% 

$0 

76-90% 

$5  

0-75% 

$10 

Homeschools, Dance studios, Private schools, Other  

$20 

season productions & Study Guides

2025-2026 Season Main Guide
2025-2026 El Manual: Entendiendo el Ballet

2026-2027 Study Guide COMING SOON

Don Quixote – Thursday, October 1 | 10:30 AM–12:45 PM

Step into the sun-drenched world of Spain. The characters of Cervantes’ beloved novel come to life in this ballet by legendary choreographer Marius Petipa. Follow the adventures of Don Quixote and the passionate love story of Kitri and Basilio amid a spectacular cast of toreadors, fandango dancers, and gypsies. Full of humor, this romantic comedy is one of the most entertaining ballets in the classical canon. Infused with traditional Spanish folk dance, the choreography showcases the Company’s sparkling technique, athleticism and virtuoso dancing. Ludwig Minkus’s blazingly energetic score pulses with Spanish-themed melodies, performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. 

The Nutcracker – Thursday, December 3 | 11:00 AM–12:50 PM

A cherished holiday tradition for more than 65 years! Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s timeless story, The Nutcracker follows Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on an enchanted journey into the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Brimming with mischievous mice, twirling snowflakes, and dances from many lands, the ballet features Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.

The Nutcracker (Title I Schools Only) – Friday, December 4 | 11:00 AM–12:50 PM

A cherished holiday tradition for more than 65 years! Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s timeless story, The Nutcracker follows Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on an enchanted journey into the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Brimming with mischievous mice, twirling snowflakes, and dances from many lands, the ballet features Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.

Romeo & Juliet – Thursday, January 28 | 10:00 AM–12:45 PM

  • Travel to Renaissance Italy for Shakespeare’s immortal tale of two lovers. The Colorado Ballet presents the Colorado premiere of John Cranko’s grandly theatrical Romeo and Juliet—one of the definitive versions of this timeless story, performed by companies around the world. Cranko’s richly drawn characters and breathtaking choreography bring the tragedy to magnificent life. From the thrillingly passionate pas de deux of Romeo and Juliet to the colorful ensemble scenes of bustling Verona to the daring sword fights of Mercutio and Tybalt— the ballet captures the ecstasy of young love and the high-octane danger of feuding families. Sergei Prokofiev’s sublime and bombastic score will be performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. 

The Wizard of Oz – Thursday, March 4 | 11:00 AM–12:55 PM

    • Follow the yellow brick road! Colorado Ballet brings L. Frank Baum’s beloved classic to life. Journey with Dorothy and Toto as they befriend Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, confront the Wicked Witch, and discover the true meaning of home. Internationally acclaimed choreographer Septime Webre—creator of ALICE (in wonderland)—blends classical and contemporary ballet with vibrant storytelling. This family-friendly performance dazzles with flying effects, 42 enchanting puppets (including Toto!), stunning sets and costumes, and breathtaking special effects. Matthew Pierce’s vibrant, genre-blending original score will be performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.

MasterWorks – Thursday, April 8 | 12:30 PM–3:30 PM
(Includes dancer notes and a student Q&A)

  • Triple the thrill! Colorado Ballet’s annual repertory production, MasterWorks features a captivating trio of masterpieces that showcase the dancers’ artistic excellence and versatility. With music as dynamic and compelling as the choreography, this program offers a rich array of styles, giving audiences a rare chance to experience classical and contemporary dance on the same program. 

  • The 2027 program features a work by Jirí Kylián, one of the world’s greatest contemporary dance choreographers. His Sinfonietta bursts with vitality, pairing composer Leo Janácek’s exuberant, brass-driven score with choreography that celebrates the sheer joy of living.

    The program also includes Chiaroscuro by Lynne Taylor-Corbett with music by Baroque composer Francesco Geminiani. Alternating fast and slow movements, this luminous ballet plays with light and shadow, inspiring rapturous responses from audiences each time it takes the stage. 
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I had so much fun and it was even better than I had expected. The dancing was incredible and the music was equally amazing. I wanted to learn more than I knew and I did. I’m hoping to see more ballets in the future.

 

2026/2027 Student Matinee Series

Student Matinee Presenting Sponsor

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