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Arts NC State
NC State LIVE

School Matinee Series

NC State LIVE's School Matinee Series gives school groups the opportunity to attend weekday performances that support North Carolina school curriculum. The experience is fun for students and easy for teachers. From the moment you arrive on campus, we are with you every step of the way. Study Guides are often available to directly connect the theatre experience with your classroom goals. 


Registration for our
2025/26 School Matinee Series will open
WEDNESDAY
August 20, 2025 at 7:30 a.m.

Have a question or two? Please contact Ariel Fay Gray at afgray@ncsu.edu or 919.513.3052. Payment is NOT due at the time of registration. Once your registration is approved you will receive a confirmation email by Monday, August 25, 2025 followed by an invoice within a few weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding!

NC State LIVE | MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCES

Two dancers cling to a suspended net.

Rebecca Lazier’s
NOLI TIMERE
OCT 10 at 11 a.m.
Stewart Theatre

NOLI TIMERE, Latin for ‘be not afraid’, is a soaring aerial dance on a giant net suspended 25 feet in the air! Created as a collaboration between world-renowned sculptor Janet Echelman and award-winning choreographer Rebecca Lazier, NOLI TIMERE invites you to explore how dance and engineering come together in this awe-inspiring performance. 

Curricular Connections – design, dance, music, architecture, engineering, textiles, environmental sustainability, teamwork and collaboration.

Members of Ranky Tanky band gather with their instruments, a trumpet at the forefront.

Ranky Tanky
JAN 23 at 11 a.m.
Stewart Theatre 

This GRAMMY-winning quintet from Charleston, South Carolina, “Ranky Tanky” (loosely translated as “Work It,” or “Get Funky!” in Gullah) are renowned for their vibrant interpretations of Gullah music. Their high-energy, uniquely American sound fuses their Sea Island heritage with gospel, R&B, and jazz. In addition to being world-class musicians, the group is composed of educators who share the rich history and traditions of Gullah culture.

Curricular Connections – jazz, Gullah culture, U.S. history, Carolina heritage, collaboration and communication.

Lightwire Theater's glow in the dark dinosaur on a dark stage

FAMILY MATINEE
Lightwire Theater’s
Dino-Light
MAR 9, 10, and 11 at 11 a.m.
Stewart Theatre

Lightwire Theater is back with their glow-in-the-dark adventure Dino-Light, a story of a scientist who brings a friendly dinosaur to life. Lightwire has charmed audiences across the globe and was even a semi-finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Back by popular demand, Dino-Light is a cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance to expand your students’ imaginations. 

Curricular Connections – theater, dance, music, science, engineering, collaboration communication, design and storytelling.

What teachers are saying

”We are studying the continent of Africa this semester; We loved it – lots of audience participation was fun and [Nobuntu] was amazing! -Michelle

 “The detailed instructions provided for cars, including payment info, maps and pictures were exceptionally helpful. This performance is part of our students’ exposure to performance arts and STEM.” -Sammie

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn the ins and outs of the School Matinee Series.

Click here for FAQS

Still have questions?

Please contact Ariel Fay Gray if you have additional questions or concerns at afgray@ncsu.edu or 919.513.3052.