Learning & Engagement

Introducing our Learning & Engagement Programs – these initiatives increase awareness of BCP as a local community and creative arts partner, and help focus our impact on nurturing local residents’ engagement with our artistic programs.

BCP’s Learning & Engagement Programs include:

  • Teen Playwriting and Composition Opportunities
  • Classes for Lifelong Learners
  • Student Matinees
  • Post-show Illumination Talkbacks
  • Playwriting In-School Residencies
  • High School and College Internships
  • Workshops

Objectives for Learning & Engagement Programs include:

  • Increase awareness of BCP as a local resource and option for artistic programming, training and engagement amongst local residents and organizations.
  • Consistent, responsive and quality presentation of artistic programs.
  • Long-lasting relationships with local and artistic partners, audiences and community members
QUESTIONS?

Please email alishag@bostoncourt.com call_made if you have additional questions.

2026 STUDENT MATINEES

Boston Court Pasadena’s student matinee program provides educational and enriching theatrical and concert experiences for students. Productions and concerts feature an engagement portion post-show which usually involves a Q&A or educational activity. Select theatrical productions also include a study guide for students with more information on the production, interviews with the production team and reflection questions.

Tickets are offered at a discounted rate of $9 per student. Limited scholarships for tickets are available.

BOOK A STUDENT MATINEE

Please email sabinad@bostoncourt.com call_made if you have additional questions.

OCTOPUS’S GARDEN
World Premiere Production
by Weston Gaylord
Grades: 7-12
Thurs. March 12 at 10:30 AM
Wed. March 18 at 10:30 AM
Thurs. March 19 at 10:30 AM
Thurs. March 26 at 10:30 AM

Engagement: Post-show Q&A with members of the production team or cast

Two marine biologists and a struggling composer discover that an octopus in their cephalopod lab has written the most transcendent piece of music ever heard. As they grapple with this extraordinary creation, ambitions collide, egos fray, and their encounter with something seemingly divine challenges their notions of art, science, and humanity itself. The production features innovative puppetry that brings soulful theatricality to this fable about inspiration, discovery, and the moral complexities that emerge when another being surpasses humankind.

DOOBY, DOOBY, MOO
Grades: Pre-k through 2nd
Tues. April 21 9:45AM & 11:05 AM
Wed. April 22 9:45AM & 11:05 AM
Thurs. April 23 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Fri. April 24 1:00 PM
Engagement: Instrument Show & Tell

This delightful music programming from Helix Collective for ages 3-7 is a live musical story time event featuring Dooby Dooby Moo, the third book in the Click Clack Moo series by Doreen Cronin set to original music by Helix Collective resident composer, Phil Popham, and narrated by Rena Strober. Come meet musicians, explore an instrument petting zoo, and hear Dooby, Dooby, Moo come to life!

PERICLES
West Coast Premiere
written by William Shakespeare
in a modern verse translation by Ellen McLaughlin
Grades: 9-12
Weds. September 16 at 10:30am
Thurs. September 17 at 10:30am
Fri. September 18 at 10:30 am
Weds. September 23 at 10:30 am
Thurs. September 24 at 10:30 am
Fri. September 25 at 10:30 am

AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF A BODY OF WATER
World Premiere Production
by Benjamin Benne
Grades: 11-12
Thurs. November 12 at 10:30 am
Fri. November 13 at 10:30 am
Engagement: Post-show Q&A with members of the production team or cast

Every week, Marina returns to the same fish store, buys a catfish, and makes soup—a quiet, methodical act masking devastating grief. But when her usual fishmonger suddenly vanishes, her fragile routine shatters and Marina is forced to confront the wreckage of her carefully constructed world when something unexpected breaks through: the stirrings of romance and a tidal wave of magic. Paper cranes begin to fly, and Marina enters uncharted, terrifying waters. Is the unraveling of her comfort a curse, or the beginning of something wondrous, wild, and entirely new? Poignant, surprising, and darkly unconventional, at the very bottom of a body of water poetically explores how we navigate life after the unexpected.

UNUSUAL SUSPECTS YOUTH THEATRE CONSERVATORY AT BOSTON COURT PASADENA

ARE YOU A HIGH-SCHOOLER READY TO FLIP THE SCRIPT?  

The Unusual Suspects Youth Theatre Conservatory at Boston Court is your chance to join an elite cohort of creative minds ready to redefine what theatre and storytelling can be. Guided by a team of experts in acting, writing, directing, and production design, and following a groundbreaking story development approach by Academy Award Nominated Filmmaker Carlos Lopez Estrada, whose powerful devising methodology draws from his experience at Walt Disney Animation and Pixar, you’ll develop and perform your own original work in a space that celebrates bold ideas, fearless storytelling, and limitless imagination.
  • Dates: January 20, 2026 – April 28, 2026
  • Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30PM – 6:30PM (must attend both days)
  • Location: Boston Court Pasadena (70 North Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106). Free parking is available, and the space is a 4-minute walk from the Lake Avenue Metro stop.
  • Cost: FREE.  
  • Eligibility: Open to all high schoolers. No prior experience is required.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

PLAYWRITING PROGRAM

Boston Court provides in-class playwriting workshops for middle and high-schoolers that can be tailored to your class and students. Our experienced teaching artists can build a curriculum based on student interests, experience level, and California Common Core Standards. The length of the program can also be adjusted to fit your needs. Our program teaches students the fundamentals of playwriting and helps them complete a short monologue, scene, or play depending on student age, experience level, and length of program offered. Students will gain valuable writing and critical analysis skills while being empowered as storytellers.

Boston Court is currently partnering with John Muir High School in Altadena to provide playwriting workshops to drama and stage tech classes.

If you would like to host an in-school residency at your school, or if you have additional questions, please email alishag@bostoncourt.com call_made

INTERNSHIPS

Boston Court Pasadena offers a number of internship opportunities for high school and college students.

College Internship Opportunities

LA County Department of Arts and Culture Internship Program
Boston Court hosts at least one intern through the LA County DCA Internship Program annually, usually a Literary Department Intern. This internship is a paid opportunity. To learn more about the LA County program and apply, visit: https://www.lacountyarts.org/opportunities/arts-internship-program-students/arts-internship-program-students-2025-internships

For-Credit College Internship Opportunities

In the Spring, Boston Court often hosts college interns for credit in the Literary, Artistic, or Engagement Departments. If you are interested in applying for an internship for credit through your college, please email alishag@bostoncourt.com call_made for more information.

High School Internship Opportunities

Technical Theatre Internships
High school students or teachers are welcome to reach out to alishag@bostoncourt.com call_made about technical theatre internship opportunities during the school year for school credit or to fulfill community service, internship, or career technical education requirements. In the past interns have served as board operators, production assistants, or crew members on Boston Court productions.

WORKSHOPS, FIELD TRIPS, AND CLASSES

In-Class Educational Workshops

We also partner with local schools and teachers to provide in class workshops on technical theatre skills, acting, and musical theatre songwriting! If you are a teacher or school administrator interested in bringing a Boston Court artist or staff member into your classroom, please email alishag@bostoncourt.com call_made.

Career Day Presentations & Building Tours

Boston Court offers career day presentations, Q&As, and building tours for local school and youth groups. Our career day presentations and Q&As are delivered by Boston Court’s staff who have decades of professional experience in the theatre and entertainment industries. The presentations can be tailored to a specific job within the theatre industry or give an overview of many different career options. Our building tour is led by a Boston Court staff member and gives students a behind the scenes look at the day-to-day operations of a professional non-profit theater. The building tour includes a Q&A with staff.

If you are interested in bringing your students to Boston Court for a building tour, or if you would like Boston Court staff to present at your career day event, please email alishag@bostoncourt.com call_made.

Classes for Lifelong Learners

Throughout our history we have offered several kinds of classes for lifelong learners on a variety of topics including a Musical Theatre Appreciation in partnership with East West Players, classes on dramaturgy and playwriting, and a Boston Court Book Club. Keep an eye out on our newsletter, website, and social media for upcoming class offerings!