Alberta Bair Theater is committed to enriching the lives of everyone in our community by providing a variety of exciting learning experiences in the arts for educators and their students, as well as the general public. As an extension of its mission, Alberta Bair Theater provides outstanding educational programming for 22,000 school children annually and serves a population of 400,000.
For more information about our Education & Outreach programs, please contact Julie at 406-294-5204.
Programs
During the school year, Alberta Bair Theater presents specially designed matinees for students at discounted prices. Performances are one-hour or less and each show is recommended for certain grade levels from pre-kindergarten to grade 12+. ABT welcomes all public, private, and home schools – as well as the general public. Seating is determined by ABT so classes can sit together and walk up sales, based on availability, are seated after bused students. Questions? Please refer to FAQ here.
Each performance has a study guide, with specific program information, discussion questions, and activities to enhance everyone’s experience at the theater. We encourage students and teachers to share their experiences with us and provide valuable feedback for improving our arts education programs.
ABT Education Brochure
Click HERE to order tickets to a Student Matinee.
Education Guides for Student Matinees
- Pamyua Education Guide
- Pete the Cat in Pete’s Big Hollywood Adventure Education Guide
- The Magic School Bus – Lost in the Solar System Education Guide
- DRUMLine Live! Education Guide
- Malevo Education Guide
- Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical Education Guide
- 360 ALLSTARS Education Guide
- The Boy Who Cried Wolf Education Guide
- Charlotte’s Web Education Guide
- 123 Andrés Education Guide
- Frindle Education Guide
- Post-Performance Survey is sent to all who attend.
The ABT is committed to providing engaging, exciting and practical learning opportunities that encourage teachers to incorporate Performing Arts in their classrooms. Please contact ABT Education Manager Julie Blakeslee at 406-294-5204 about upcoming workshops.
Billings Public Schools educators, please register with ABT using the registration form below, and also register for BPS step-up or PIR-Trade credit in Midas.
- Educator Workshop Registration Form
- Clinician Bios 2023-2024
Alberta Bair Theater offers school residencies, master classes, student workshops, lecture demonstrations, panel discussions and informal performances featuring touring artists and their companies who are performing at the ABT. This season’s outreach includes:
- Pamyua – Lewis & Clark Middle School students
- DRUMLine Live! – Partner school percussion students
- Malevo – Area Spanish students
- Project Hip Hop with 360 ALLSTARS – Workshops with BPS Title I Elementary Students
- Anderson & Roe – Piano Master Class
- Lùnasa & Eileen Ivers – Area string students
- 123 Andrés – area teachers of K-2
Free tours of the theater are available for students age 7 and older. The average tour is 30 minutes in length and includes the history of the theater and a view of back stage. Tours must be requested 30 days in advance and are not available the day of performances.
This program offers vouchers to be redeemed for tickets to evening and student matinee performances at Alberta Bair Theater and has served hundreds of youth and adults in the community. Non-profit organizations whose mission involves serving people with social, physical or economic disadvantages may apply for acceptance into the program.
Educators, bring a group of ten or more students (and their families and friends) to specified ABT evening performances for a discount ticket of $10 per person when tickets are purchased in one transaction. A list of performances and the time period during which to buy tickets in included in the Education Brochure, which can be downloaded at the top of this page.
Thank You!
ABT Education Programs are funded in part by the Montana Arts Council, a state agency funded by the State of Montana and the National Endowment for the Arts; Montana Cultural Trust; Western States Federation (WESTAF); Billings Public Schools; Laurel Public Schools; Billings Education Foundation; Bair Family Trusts; Underriner Motors; Billings Clinic; Sam & Judy McDonald Foundation; Sibanye-Stillwater Mining Company; Montana Arts Council; and Donors of ABT’s Student Underwriting Program. We are grateful to everyone who values and supports Arts Education!