Resources // Pacific Northwest Ballet

PNB Kids

PNB School Programs

Pre-K Division (Ages 2–4), focusing on movement, music and rhythm
Creative Movement & Pre-Ballet (Ages 5-7)
Student Division & Professional Division (Ages 8 and up)
Eastside Summer Dance Workshops (Ages 5-7)
FRC Summer Day Program (Ages 8-15)
DanceChance, PNB’s innovative outreach program to local talented third-grade students

Community Education

Workshops & Events for Schools, including student matinee performances, in-school residencies, and fieldtrips
DISCOVER DANCE Community Performance annually every Spring and Fall

Frequently Asked Questions

- Preparing Ahead makes a more enriching experience. You can find out a lot about the performance you are attending before coming to the theatre. Look for performance information, images, videos, dancer interviews, and stories on the season pages for the performance you are attending.
- Booster Seats and Binoculars are available just off of the main entry lobby (Kreielsheimer Promenade) and ushers can help guide you there. Booster seats are intended for children or patrons shorter than 5 feet on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a $5 rental fee for binoculars.
- What to Wear? Some people enjoy making their visit to the ballet a dress-up occasion, but many others dress casually. Most importantly, wear something you are comfortable in, and enjoy the performance!
- Meals & Snacks. Full meal service is available at the Prelude restaurant up to 2 hours prior to performances, and no reservations are necessary. Food and beverages are not allowed in the auditorium.
- Viewing from the Lobby. Children who may benefit from having space to move around and vocalize during the performance, may leave the auditorium with an accompanying adult through the nearest exit and enjoy the performance on monitors in the McCaw Hall Lobby. Additionally, quiet rooms inside the theater for children (with an accompanying adult) may also be available to view the stage through windows with a closed door. Please check with an usher about availability and location if a quiet room would benefit your family.
- Check out our Plan Your Visit section of this site, for more details on performance location, the gift shop, sensory sensitivity, dining, and facilities.
Yes! PNB offers Sensory-Friendly performances throughout the year. These performances feature a relaxed environment that includes lighting and sound modifications and flexible entry/exit between audience and lobby spaces. Click here to purchase tickets to a Sensory-Friendly performance.

Additionally, PNB has a Social Narrative Overview (which includes photos and explanations about the things you’ll encounter at McCaw Hall) and Sensory-accessible bags (which include headphones, fidgets, and a card to assist in nonverbal communication of needs). Sensory-accessible bags are available for check out in the Spafford Lobby on the Kreilesheimer Promenade.

Please reach out to access@PNB.org for questions about specific productions. We’re happy to provide pertinent details about lighting, sounds, etc.
Adults and children of every age must have their own ticket to attend a Pacific Northwest Ballet performance. However, a variety of ticket discounts are available for children and families.
- If you are 13-19 years old, you can join TeenTix and purchase tickets to Pacific Northwest Ballet performances and other local music, dance, theatre and art events for only $5 (excludes George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker^® and special events).
- Half price rush tickets are available to students beginning 90 minutes prior to curtain time at the McCaw Hall Box Office (excludes George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker^® and special events).
We welcome children to the ballet but recognize that not all of our performances are enjoyable for young visitors. A parent or guardian knows their child best and can decide if they are ready to attend a ballet performance. All guests, including children and babes in arms, must have a ticket to enter the theater. Children under 2 are eligible for a discounted “baby ticket.” Call the Box Office at 206.441.2424 to purchase one!

McCaw Hall offers complimentary booster cushions for children on a first-come, first-served basis.

Teacher Resources & Professional Development

Pacific Northwest Ballet is proud to provide resources and professional development in dance education for classroom teachers, arts and PE specialists, teaching artists, and others through workshops and events. PNB also partners with other local organizations to collectively provide professional development opportunities. Partner organizations include: ArtsWA, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Seattle University, and Seattle Public Schools.

Teacher Discount

In appreciation of all your dedicated and inspirational work, Pacific Northwest Ballet frequently provides Teacher Discounts to some of PNB’s most anticipated performances of the season! We invite teachers to treat yourself to a night at the ballet with 20% off tickets to PNB’s repertory performances. Each program is your ticket to the vast world of ballet—sure to be enjoyed by ballet lovers or those new to the art form!

Teacher Discount tickets are available only to certified teachers or individuals that work for PK-college educational institutions. Proof of teacher certification or staff ID indicating place of employment is required. Discounts are not valid on previously purchased tickets or the lowest priced ticket and cannot be combined with any other offers. Teacher discounts are not available for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® or Family Matinee Performances. To inquire about availability of Teacher Discount tickets for the current performance season, please call 206.441.2424 or contact the Box Office.

Workshops

Interested in incorporating or supporting dance in your school or program? PNB offers customizable professional development workshops that prioritize alignment with your individual school goals and values.

Topics may include: using movement in the classroom to engage and support student learning, dance and 21st century skills, dance concepts, integrating dance with other curriculum areas, dance and special education, assessing student learning in the arts, and more. All activities are aligned with state and national standards for the arts.

When

Early release days, in-service days, or faculty retreats

Where

At your school or facility; open room recommended

Cost

$150 per workshop hour

Minimum

8 participants

For more information contact education@pnb.org or 206.441.2432.

Dance in Physical Education

Pacific Northwest Ballet partners with Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and Highline School District to provide professional development for physical education specialists across the districts. In collaboration with district staff, PNB has developed grade level-specific dance units for grades K-2. Through a scaffolded professional development program, physical education specialists are trained to teach the dance unit in alignment with the Quality Physical Education curriculum.

Specialists work one-on-one with a master teaching artist from PNB to gain dance content knowledge and increase independence in this area of their curriculum. K-2 students receive dance instruction with lessons taught during regularly scheduled PE time.

Lessons are adapted from PNB’s DISCOVER DANCE curriculum, which has been taught in area schools for over 20 years. Content focuses on movement concepts, choreography tools, dance vocabulary, and the 21st Century skill of collaboration. The unit is aligned with state standards in PE and Dance. By the end of the training, specialists teach and lead lessons on their own, with coaching and supports available.

PNB is a rostered partner with The Creative Advantage—Seattle Public Schools’ plan to provide equitable arts education.

For more information contact education@pnb.org or 206.441.2432.

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