School Show

Note: The 2024 School Show will serve Missoula County.

Memo to Teachers:  GCB’s process for selecting schools or classes is not first come, first serve. Instead, we aim to maximize attendance by finding the best combination of classes to fill all 500 seats. In addition to current applications, we also consider schools on our wait list that have never attended. Even though applicants don’t have an equal chance of being chosen, like a lottery system, it allows us to mix and match classrooms to accommodate as many children as possible. Thank you for your understanding!

As an organization, we believe in the positive power of art to elevate and connect us all. We recognize, however, that not all families are in a position to expose their children to live theater and the performing arts — so GCB made a commitment to provide free admission for 500 (K-5) students to attend The Nutcracker every year. Our matinee School Show alternates between schools in Missoula and schools in surrounding rural areas.

To ensure the maximum number of children attending, the ratio of adult chaperones to students is 1:10. The School Show is held Friday morning of Nutcracker weekend — it is a slightly shortened version of the full-length classical ballet (specifically, the dances of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier are not performed).

Our goal is for as many schools and students to attend as possible, especially from low-income populations. Due to the increasing popularity of this educational opportunity, a wait-list system is in place for schools we are unable to accommodate in any given year.

Since 2006, more than 8,000 students have experienced the timeless beauty and magic of our Nutcracker production. (The School Show was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.)