Hancher works with school students in a variety of ways. We have a long standing relationship with the Iowa City Community School District as well as schools in the surrounding region. Each year Hancher arranges for artists to visit classrooms, extends offers of complimentary tickets to select performances for students and their families, and creates opportunities for students to go on field trips to see performances. In the 2019-2020 season, Hancher hosted student matinees by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Compagnia TPO, and Slingsby Theatre Company.
Hancher is the lead organization for the Kennedy Center's Any Given Child-Iowa City, which focuses on giving equal arts education access to students in grades K–8. Iowa City was selected in 2012 as the eighth Any Given Child site. The AGC advisory committee is continuing to develop a long-range plan for a rich arts education program for students in the district.
Stay tuned for updates about our virtual offerings for young audiences in the 2024-2025 season!
Top: Lucky Plush Productions, assisted by UI Theatre graduate students, do a workshop at Horace Mann Elementary School.
Bottom: Las Cafeteras perform for a class of English Language Learners at City High School.
Photos by Miriam Alarcón Avila