Theatre lessons

This is a unique opportunity to get to know the theatre from behind the scenes, see the audience from an actor's perspective, and talk about what theatre people actually do. We offer three types of lessons: BEHIND THE SCENES, FOR THE YOUNGEST, and BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE. The lessons are individually tailored to the age and needs of the participants.

The rules for the 2024/2025 theatre season when registering for our BEHIND THE SCENES and FOR THE YOUNGEST theatre lessons are as follows:

Applications for the BEHIND THE SCENES and FOR THE YOUNGEST theatre lessons are only accepted on working days from the 1st to the 15th day of the month preceding the month in which the theatre lesson is desired (NOTE: If the first day of the month falls on a Saturday or Sunday, applications will be accepted from Monday as the first working day of the month). Bookings are accepted based on the order in which applications are received. Applications sent after the deadline, as well as applications sent correctly but which fail to take place in a given month, are cancelled: they do not automatically transfer to the next month and must be re-submitted at a different time, in accordance with the rules described above.

A single application for BEHIND THE SCENES or FOR THE YOUNGEST theatre lessons can only involve one group, containing a maximum of 25 people.

To register, and for extra information, contact the project coordinator, Katarzyna Hańć at: klasy_teatralne@narodowy.pl  

BEHIND THE SCENES 

During these lessons, we learn about the National Theatre. We talk about the artists associated with it – both old and contemporary. We present its fabled history. We look at the stage and the audience from the perspective of an actor. We show how the theatre works and what the work of the people who co-create the performances involves – from stage managers, to set designers, lighting directors and many others.

We try to answer the question: why do we need theatre?

The lessons can be attended by children from primary schools and secondary schools, as well as organized groups of adults.

FOR THE YOUNGEST

During an hour-long discussion, we talk about what exactly theatre workers do. We discuss what our costume makers, shoemakers and metal workers get up to. We wonder where actors disappear during a performance and who the stage manager is and why you can hear them throughout the whole theatre.

These lessons are intended for children aged five to ten. 

◊ Duration of the BEHIND THE SCENES and FOR THE YOUNGEST lessons: 60 minutes
◊ Dates: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 11:00
◊ Participation fee: PLN 15 per person. Ticket price for a guardian: PLN 5. (A maximum of three guardians in the group are entitled to purchase a ticket for PLN 5). Minimum cost of one lesson: PLN 200
NOTE: the minimum fee must be paid in the month in which the lesson takes place.
◊ Lessons are intended for organized groups (the maximum number of people in a group is 25) 
◊ It is possible to organize lessons in English after prior arrangement of the date with the project coordinator

◊ Payment for the BEHIND THE SCENES and FOR THE YOUNGEST theatre lessons takes place as follows: Individuals/groups that decide to participate in the theatre lessons are obliged to pay the minimum fee, by bank transfer, into the bank account number provided by the Theatre, on the date set by the project coordinator. The minimum fee is PLN 200 gross and includes the purchase of 13 tickets at the price of PLN 15 and one ticket for a guardian at the price of PLN 5. Paying the minimum fee is a condition for organising a theatre lesson. For a group of up to 14 people, the minimum fee is the total cost of the lesson. If the group consists of 15 or more people, for the 15th (and each subsequent person) an additional ticket for PLN 15 must be purchased at the Theatre box office before the lesson begins. A second or third person taking care of the group is entitled to purchase a ticket for PLN 5.  

◊ Cancelling a lesson: If you who have sent a request and confirmed the reservation of a Behind the Scenes or For the Youngest lesson, you have the right to cancel the booking. Information about cancelling a theatre lesson should be sent to the following e-mail address: klasy_teatralne@narodowy.pl. Information cancelling the booking must be sent 2 business days or more before the confirmed date of the theatre lesson, thereby entitling you to receive a refund of the minimum fee, which shall be paid into the account from which the payment was made. In the event that the group does not show up for the theatre lesson, or does not cancel the lesson by the specified date, the minimum fee paid is not refunded. 

BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE 

During a theatre lesson before a chosen performance, we discuss the issues tackled in it and how the performance is staged. We also consider the text on which the performance is based. We analyse the work of the director, the set designer, the music creators, and the actors. We place the performance in the context of contemporary culture.

We invite organised groups of children, teenagers, and adults.

◊ Duration of the lesson: 30 minutes
◊ Dates: dependent on the date and time of the selected performance
◊ Cost of participation: PLN 5 per person. Minimum cost of one lesson: PLN 100
NOTE: the minimum fee must be paid in the month in which the lesson takes place.
◊ Lessons are intended for organised groups

◊ Payment for the BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE lesson takes place as follows: Individuals/groups that decide to participate in the theatre lessons are obliged to pay the minimum fee, by bank transfer, into the bank account number provided by the Theatre, by the date and time specified by the project coordinator. Paying the minimum fee is a condition for organising the theatre lesson. For a group of up to 20 people, the minimum fee is the total cost of the lesson (PLN 100 gross). If the group consists of 21 or more people, an additional ticket for PLN 5 must be purchased at the Theatre box office for the 21st (and each additional) person before the lesson begins.

◊ Cancelling a lesson: People who have sent a request and confirmed the reservation of a lesson have the right to cancel the booking. Information about cancelling a theatre lesson should be sent to the following e-mail address: klasy_teatralne@narodowy.pl. Information cancelling the reservation must be sent 2 business days or more before the confirmed date of the theatre lesson, thereby entitling you to receive a refund of the minimum fee, which shall be paid into the account from which the payment was made. In the event that the group does not show up for the theatre lesson, or does not cancel the lesson by the specified date, the minimum fee paid is not refunded.  

All details of the content of the selected lesson are agreed individually with the group leader. The scope of the lesson is dependent on the current work of the Theatre.

When registering kindergarten and school groups, we kindly ask you to provide the institution's data, and the number and age of the participants.

All theatrical lessons are conducted by experienced educators.