The Citadel Theatre is proud to share our productions and our passion for theatre with school audiences from Edmonton and surrounding communities. Students Club is a special opportunity for junior and senior high students to attend our Mainstage productions and experience interactive glimpses behind the scenes of each show. We believe that all individuals should have the opportunity to experience, appreciate and participate in live theatre. Sharing live theatre with new audiences, youth and adults alike, requires education and cooperation as it is a communal and participatory art form. The Citadel Theatre works to ensure that all patrons have a positive experience when visiting the theatre.
A Students Club evening includes an interactive pre-show presentation by working members of the Edmonton theatre community, attending the Mainstage performance and a talkback with members of the cast following the show.
Please be aware that the age recommendations provided are subjective. We will do our best to provide age recommendations and any applicable warnings in advance; however, things are subject to change at the Director’s discretion during the rehearsal process.
Some productions in the Citadel’s 2024/25 Season are not included in the regular Students Club package. If you would like to add one of the Summer or Seasonal shows or wish to opt out/exchange out of a Mainstage show due to age recommendation and mature content, please contact the Education and Group Sales Administrator.
ABOUT STUDENTS CLUB
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Students Club is a program for junior and senior high school students to experience and learn about live theatre in an exciting and educational way. The program offers options for students to see some (or all of!) our six Mainstage shows. Prior to each performance, students participate in a pre-show workshop led by an industry professional from the Edmonton theatre community. After the performance, students are invited to stay for a behind-the-scenes talk-back with members of the cast and crew.
Some examples of past pre-show workshops include acting for the camera, song writing, choreography, costume design and wigs. Student participation is highly encouraged in these hands-on workshops, however, students are also welcome to simply observe.
WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE?
Students Club takes place on the first Tuesday and a Wednesday evening early in the run of the production (additional Students Club nights will be added subsequent weeks on a Wednesday or Thursday if we have a high demand). Please note that A Christmas Carol has no Tuesday performances.
6:30 p.m. — Pre-show presentation.
7:30 p.m. — Mainstage performance, followed by a 20 minute talk-back.
COST
The table below breaks down the cost by package type. The cost per package includes GST. Please note that we also charge a $10.50 (including GST) administration fee once for the entire order.
OPTION | COST PER STUDENT | SHOWS INCLUDED |
---|---|---|
6-Show Package | $205.74 (including GST) |
|
3-Show Package | $102.87 (including GST) | Choose any 3 of the above shows. |
REQUESTING A BOOKING AND PACKAGE TYPES
When you are ready to book please fill out our Students Club Booking Request Form. After you fill out this form you will be sent an invoice and general information about your booking via email.
We kindly ask that schools choose one type of package for their club (i.e., your entire group can either book a 6-Show Package or a 3-Show Package to the same 3 shows). This will limit confusion when invoicing and making exchanges. Any added tickets later in the season are an exception to be made by the Education and Group Sales Administrator.
Important Note: If you wish to attend a single show this is considered a group sale and is not a part of our Students Club Packages. Group sales can be booked by emailing groupbookings@citadeltheatrre.com. If you organize a group booking on a Students Club night you are not guaranteed space in the pre-show workshop. You may request to attend, but priority will be given to those who have purchased Students Club Packages.
If you would like to make multiple booking requests throughout the season, please fill out our digital Students Club Booking Request Form for each new booking request.
GENERAL BOOKING INFORMATION
Most Students Club packages are booked through schools via a teacher, but we also welcome home-school groups. Parents who wish to attend Students Club with their children should refer to the Additional Tickets for Adults section of the information package on page 9.
If a student is unable to attend on their scheduled night, please contact either the Education and Group Sales Administrator or the Box Office at least 24 hours in advance to exchange into another Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday evening, or Saturday matinee performance. Please note that non-Students Club nights will not include a pre-show or talkback. Tickets will not be exchanged for performances on the day of, or after a performance has passed. Refunds will not be provided for missed performances. The Citadel Theatre has a no-refund policy—all sales are final.
Reminder emails will be sent prior to each performance with updated run times, audience advisories, enrichment guides, etc. These emails will only be sent to the primary contact. Please forward these emails to your other supervisors.
Schools interested in bringing students to any of our Seasonal Add-On shows can do so by contacting the Education & Group Sales Administrator. Schools may choose to opt out of a Mainstage production due to mature content or age recommendations and are welcome to replace those with Seasonal shows. Please be aware that Seasonal performances do not include a pre-show presentation or a talk-back. Tickets include the performance only. Some shows may start at 8:00 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m.
For any booking questions or requests, please contact our Education & Group Sales Administrator at groupbookings@citadeltheatre.com.
2024/25 SHOW DESCRIPTIONS
The Students Club dates below are subject to change, and every show has two additional potential dates that will be added if there is a high enough demand.
A Streetcar Named Desire
September 21 – October 13, 2024
- By Tennessee Williams
- Directed by Daryl Cloran
- Produced in Association with Theatre Calgary
After losing her Mississippi home to creditors, Blanche duBois relocates to the home of her younger sister and brother-in-law, Stella and Stanley Kowalski. Unable to cope with life’s harsh realities, Blanche’s world collapses, as Stanley stalks closer to exposing the truth.
Students Club Dates: September 24 & 25, 2024
Venue: Shoctor Theatre
Recommended Ages: 14+
Approximate run time: 2 hours (including a 20 minute intermission)
Warning: The production contains adult themes, physical/sexual violence, alcoholism, implied rape
The Ballad of Johnny and June
November 9 – December 8, 2024
- Book by Robert Cary and Des McAnuff
- Music and Lyrics by Johnny Cash, June Carter and others
- Directed by Des McAnuff
- Produced in Association with La Jolla Playhouse, California
A brand new musical exploring the life and careers of country music legends Johnny Cash and June Carter, told through the eyes of their son John Carter Cash. From their first meeting in 1956 at the Grand Ole Opry to fame, life on the road, controversy and family. This re-telling of their iconic love story is complete with hits like: I Walk The Line, Ring of Fire, and many more.
Students Club Dates: November 19 & 20, 2024
Venue: Shoctor Theatre
Recommended Ages: 12+
Approximate run time: 2 hours and 20 minutes (including 20 minute intermission)
Warning: This production contains adult themes, themes of drug and alcohol abuse, a rifle seen on stage but not fired, and some strong language
Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical
February 1 – March 2, 2025
- Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
- Book by Jennifer Lee
- Directed by Rachel Peake
When Queen Elsa’s hidden powers plunge the land of Arendelle into an eternal winter, her sister Anna sets out to find her and save the kingdom before it’s too late. But as the storm rages on, both sisters must learn that only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart. Frozen will defy all expectations on an unforgettable journey packed with thrilling surprises, hilarious characters and soaring music, including For the First Time in Forever, Do You Want to Build a Snowman? and the worldwide smash-hit, Let it Go.
Students Club Dates: February 4, 5, & 12, 2025
Venue: Shoctor Theatre
Recommended Ages: 6+
Approximate run time: 2 hours and 15 minutes (including 20 minute intermission)
Warning: This production contains possible fog, dry ice, and haze, mild sword violence
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The ‘70s Musical
February 22 – March 23, 2025
- By William Shakespeare
- Adapted by Daryl Cloran and Kayvon Khoshkam
- Directed by Daryl Cloran
Shakespeare’s most famous comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Reimagined in the 1970s and packed full of infectious music from the period by artists like: David Bowie, Elton John, Marvin Gaye, The Bee Gees, Aretha Franklin and Olivia Newton-John, this will be a hilarious, glam-rock reinterpretation of a classic that will have audiences singing all the way home.
Students Club Dates: February 25, 26, & March 5, 2025
Venue: Maclab Theatre
Recommended Ages: 8+
Approximate run time: 2 hours (including 20 minute intermission
Heist
March 22 – April 13, 2025
- By Arun Lakra
Inspired by caper films like Ocean’s Eleven, Heist is a fast-paced, heart-racing play about a diamond heist gone wrong. Can this band of criminals pull off the perfect robbery? Full of diamonds, guns, lasers, betrayal and an incredible cast of characters.
Students Club Dates: April 2, 3 & 9, 2025
Venue: Shoctor Theatre
Recommended Ages: 12+
Approximate run time: 2 hours (including 20 minute intermission)
Warning: This production contains coarse language
Little Women
May 3 – 25, 2025
- Based on the books Little Women & Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott
- Adapted for the stage by Jordi Mand
The March sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy, navigate childhood to adulthood while facing the trials of life in 1860s Massachusetts. Struggling to balance societal pressures and expectations with their own hopes and dreams, the sisters are united by the bonds of family, love and loyalty. This classic coming-of-age story, adapted for the stage by Canadian playwright Jordi Mand is a heartwarming tale filled with hope, adventure, heartbreak and love.
Students Club Dates: May 6 & 7, 2025
Venue: Shoctor Theatre
Recommended Ages: 10+
Approximate run time: 2 hours and 10 minutes (including 20 minute intermission)
2024/25 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
PLEASE NOTE: The following Special Presentations are not included in the Students Club Package. If you would like to purchase additional tickets for any of these productions, please contact the Education and Group Sales Administrator at groupbookings@citadeltheatrre.com.
Bear Grease
October 17 – 27, 2024
- A LightningCloud Production
- Directed by Crystle Lightning
Get ready for a jaw-dropping, toe-tapping spectacle! Bear Grease takes the 1978 musical, Grease, on an Indigenous joyride, with fashion that slays, humour that tickles your funny bone, and music that makes you groove! It’s a rez makeover for the beloved characters, keeping the authenticity alive while adding a burst of cultural flair. Buckle up for an electrifying experience that celebrates Indigenous cultures and dances its way into your heart—it’s a one-of-a-kind adventure you don’t want to miss.
Venue: Maclab Theatre
Recommended Ages: 12+
Approximate run time: 1 hour and 45 minutes (including 20 minute intermission)
Warning: This production contains coarse language
A Christmas Carol
November 23 – December 24, 2024
- By David van Belle
- Directed by Lianna Makuch
- Originally Directed by Daryl Cloran
David van Belle’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic returns to the Citadel! Ebenezer Scrooge has been given just one night to redeem himself but will the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future help him overcome a lifetime of indifference before all hope is lost? Transport yourself to the mid-1950s with nostalgic songs like I’ll be Home For Christmas and White Christmas and experience the magic of the season.
Venue: Maclab Theatre
Recommended Ages: 6+
Approximate run time: 2 hours (including 20 minute intermission)
Warning: This production contains frightening scenes that may not be suitable for younger children, the use of theatrical water-based haze and dry ice fog, flashing and bright lights, and the use of pyrotechnics.
Goblin:Macbeth
January 11 – February 2, 2025
- A Spontaneous Theatre Creation by Rebecca Northan with Bruce Horak
- Directed by Rebecca Northan
When three Goblins come across a copy of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare, they decide to take over the stage, choosing the bloodiest play they can find, Macbeth. Blending comedy, fantasy and tragedy, in an unpredictably interactive and exciting theatrical experience, the goblins present a uniquely fresh take on a Shakespearean classic.
Venue: Rice Theatre
Recommended Ages: 14+
Approximate run time: 1 hour and 30 minutes (no intermission)
Warning: This production contains offstage murder, strong language, non-toxic haze, strobe effects, adult content, violence
MEET YOUR HOST: ELLEN CHORLEY
The Students Club Facilitator guides the students through the entire Students Club experience. The Facilitator collaborates with Edmonton’s top teaching artists in creating interactive pre-show workshops inspired by each play, giving students a hands-on opportunity to learn techniques of the trade. Then, following the evening’s performance, the Facilitator hosts a talkback with actors from the play where students can ask questions and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process.
Our 2024-2025 Students Club Facilitator is Ellen Chorley, an Edmonton-based playwright, producer, performer and arts educator. She is the current Festival Director of Nextfest (Edmonton’s annual emerging arts festival), the Academy Director of the Theatre Network Summer Academy, an acting and playwriting teacher for the Foote Theatre School at the Citadel, and she produces theatre for young audiences under the banner of Promise Productions.
As a playwright, Ellen has had plays produced all over Canada and recently her play Everybody Loves Robbie won the Gwen Pharis Ringwood Award for Drama at the 2021 Alberta Literary Awards. Ellen believes that arts education is vital to the development of young people and she is passionate about using the medium of theatre to create community and belonging. Check Ellen out online at www.ellenchorley.com.
Ellen looks forward to sharing a season of amazing theatre with you!
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
To help keep the Students Club package affordable, tickets are first booked at the back of the theatre. Closer to the performance date, tickets will be moved forward into seats closer to the stage. We will do our best to keep everyone in your group as close together as possible.
For this reason, we recommend that tickets be left on account and picked up on the evening of the performance. If you wish to pick up your tickets in advance, your seats will not be moved up and your group will remain seated near the back of the theatre.
Tickets can be picked up at the Box Office under the school or primary contact’s name.
If you require accessible seating (e.g. wheelchair seats) please fill out your accessibility requests on the booking form or contact the Education & Group Sales Administrator as soon as possible due to limited availability.
The intent of the Students Club package is to cultivate and grow the next generation of theatre goers in Edmonton by providing a more affordable package for students to attend and participate in a unique theatre experience. Due to the limited number of packages available each night, we can only offer a limited number of these discounted packages for adults. Our recommended ratio is 1 supervisor per 10-15 students.
For every 15 students attending, we can offer 1 complimentary Students Club package for a supervisor.
If there are extenuating circumstances that require additional supervisor packages (e.g. an aide or bus driver), please contact the Education & Group Sales Administrator to discuss.
If additional teachers wish to purchase a season package, EPSB and ECSD is part of our Corporate Benefits Program and teachers can purchase A-level Season Ticket Packages at 10 % off. These can be booked through the Box Office at 780-425-1820.
Students Club is meant to be purchased as a package. To make invoicing and exchanges easier for teachers and our administrators, we are asking that schools please book a package with a consistent number of students per show. Adding additional student tickets later in the season is an exception that can be made on a case-by-case basis by the Education and Group Sales administrator, and requests can be sent to groupbookings@citadeltheatre.com. If a student is joining the club late, we would ask that they commit to the rest of the season along with their school instead of booking a single show at a time.
If you would like to purchase additional tickets for an adult, we will not be able to offer them the Students Club price. Please direct parents to contact our Box Office directly at 780-425-1820 or by emailing boxoffice@citadeltheatre.com, and identify themselves as a parent of a Students Club member. We can offer a 20% discount off Price Code A seats, subject to availability. Please note that we can guarantee that the parent will attend the same night as their child, but we cannot seat them with their child as we book Students Club tickets in the back of the theatre and move them up to best available seats the day of the show.
Parents wishing to attend on the same evenings as their children can also consider purchasing their own Season Ticket Package through the Box Office. Due to the way our regular season tickets are booked compared to Students Club tickets, parents will need to check with the school to confirm performance dates as they may need to exchange some of their tickets to another week. They can contact the Box Office for more information.
Teachers wishing to attend at the Students Club price should be put on the booking request form and should participate in the entire club along with their school. If a student requires someone to attend with them as an accessibility aid, please indicate that in your booking request.
The Citadel Theatre has a 24-hour exchange policy. Tickets for a performance can only be exchanged up until the day before the scheduled performance. Same day exchanges and tickets for a past performance will not be exchanged. No refunds are provided for a missed performance.
Students Club tickets can be exchanged into any other Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday evening, or Saturday matinee performance. Please be aware that some Saturdays and Sundays may only have a matinee or an evening performance. Pre-shows and talkbacks are only programed for the first Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of the run (more pre-shows and talkbacks may be scheduled if there is high enrolment in Students Club). If tickets have been printed and picked up in advance, the seat number for the ticket being exchanged must be provided or we will not be able to exchange their ticket. The original ticket must be brought to the Box Office when picking up the new ticket.
PLEASE NOTE: We encourage students to do their own ticket exchanges. Please have them call the Box Office at 780-425-1820 or email them at boxoffice@citadeltheatre.com at least 24 hours in advance. They must provide their school, their name, and the new date they want to attend. Please only direct mass ticket exchanges to our Education and Group Sales Administrator (i.e., you need to move most of or all your tickets for a particular performance due to date conflicts). You can reach them at groupbookings@citadeltheatrre.com.
After the performance has started, any individuals arriving late, or who have stepped out to use the washroom, may not be able to enter the theatre or return to their original seat right away. To minimize disruptions for the audience and the actors on stage, our ushers will only be able to admit entry at appropriate times (scene changes, loud musical numbers, etc.), as per the Stage Manager and Front of House’s discretion. Individuals must be seated at the back of the theatre in Latecomer Seating. Individuals may return to their original seats at intermission.
If there is no appropriate time for an individual to re-enter, they may be asked to stay out in the lobby until intermission is over or until the end of the performance. For this reason, younger students leaving the theatre should be accompanied by a supervisor as they are the school’s responsibility.
An invoice will be emailed to the primary contact (or other, if specified) once numbers have been confirmed.
The Box Office accepts payment via credit card or cheque (payable to Citadel Theatre). Cash may also be accepted in person. If your school wishes to pay by electronic funds transfer (EFT), please note that these payments go to the Accounting Department and are therefore not automatically processed as a payment on your order. The payment will need to be applied to your account manually by the Box Office. To ensure that the Box Office receives notice of your EFT payments, please include a memo with either the invoice number or account number provided on the invoice. Our banking information for EFT payments can be requested through groupbookings@citadeltheatre.com.
The Citadel Theatre has a no-refund policy. All sales are final. However, requests can be submitted in writing to the Education & Group Sales Administrator for approval. These requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We cannot refund tickets to a missed performance. Please ensure all students have their scheduled performance dates. If they are unable to attend a performance, they have up until the day before their scheduled performance to exchange their tickets to another date within the restrictions listed under the section on Ticket Exchanges (see page 9).
No children under the age of 5 will be admitted into the theatre. If a young child under the age of 5 is turned away at the theatre doors, no refunds will be provided.
Age recommendations are subjective and are not strict restrictions; however, please be aware that some productions may contain mature language and/or subject matter. The Education & Group Sales Administrator will try to provide any applicable warnings in advance, but they are subject to change at the Director’s discretion during the rehearsal process.
If age recommendations and subject matter are a concern for younger students and you wish to adjust your package, either by opting out of a production or exchanging into non-Mainstage production, please discuss this with the Education & Group Sales Administrator when booking. If you are unsure about shows with mature ratings and would like to wait until more information is available regarding the production, it is generally easier (logistically) to opt out at the time of booking and add tickets at a later date.
General visitor FAQs and up-to-date information can always be found on the VISITOR FAQs page on our website.
Accessibility information, including photos and a virtual map of the Citadel Theatre can be found on the Accessibility page on our website.
Please indicate accessibility needs in your booking request or reach out to the Education & Group Sales Administrator in advance of your scheduled performances. The Citadel has accessible seating and sensory kits available upon request. Accessibility aids who accompany a student are eligible for a complimentary ticket.
Please review this section with all supervisors and students attending the performance. We ask that supervisors spread themselves out and seat themselves among their students. It can be difficult/disruptive for our ushers to go through the seats if there is a disturbance in the middle of a row. The Citadel relies on the assistance of the schools’ supervisors to supervise their students during performances.
- Photography and video/audio recordings of performances are not allowed and are strictly prohibited.
- Turn off and put away all electronics that emit sound or light, such as cell phones, fitbits, smart watches, mp3 players, handheld video game consoles, tablets, laser pointers, and other handheld devices.
- The actors on stage can see and hear the audience during the performance – it is important for audience members not to talk or move around during the performance, as it can be distracting to the actors as well as fellow audience members.
- Please keep bags under your seat, and do not leave them in the aisles in front of your feet, or on the sides. It may impair the ability of persons to exit the row in an emergency. Some productions may also have actors walking in the aisles during a performance.
- Do not put your feet on or climb onto the theatre seats or hand railings.
- Do not interfere with the actors or the performance (e.g. tripping, throwing items on or near the stage, etc.)
- There is no dress code at the Citadel, but we respectfully request that patrons refrain from wearing hats in the theatre.
- No outside food or drinks allowed. Only drinks in Citadel sippy cups or other bottled beverages sold at the Citadel bar will be admitted.
- Any individuals behaving in a disruptive manner may be removed from the theatre. No refunds will be provided. Please note the Citadel recognizes that all citizens should have the opportunity to experience art and culture. We will do what we can to ensure special needs patrons are able to attend Citadel productions and some exceptions may be made.
ALLERGY ALLERT
The Citadel Theatre is a scent-free building. For the safety of those with allergies, please refrain from wearing perfume or other scented products.