For planning support and booking, email groups@stratfordfestival.ca or fill out our Inquiry Form.
Guidance from Experienced Trip Leaders
Each year, educators and group leaders from Michigan bring student groups to the Stratford Festival for theatrical and educational experiences. To help others plan their own visits, we spoke with two experienced leaders who regularly organize trips to Stratford.
Their advice covers budgeting, logistics, border travel and other planning considerations. Below are their key takeaways.
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Contributors:
Mary Bogrette - Public School Teacher, Michigan
Lisa Dobbin - Artistic Director, All The World's A Stage
Key Takeaways for Planning a Stratford Festival Trip:
Build Education Offerings Into the Trip
Reducing Costs
- Stratford Festival Bus Funding and Fall for the Bard reduce transportation and ticket costs
- Theatre Seat Selections: The most expensive seats are not always best. Let the box office representatives know your pricing situation and they will help find a balance.
- Shared hotel accommodation and early booking help keep costs low
- Student-run fundraising initiatives help bring down overall costs
Border Crossings
- Border crossings are generally straightforward and manageable
- Proper travel documentation is the most important requirement
Options for students and guardians:
- Passport
- Birth certificate and ID card (need both)
- Enhanced Driver's License
- Families should be reminded well in advance to obtain passports or acceptable travel documents
Planning
- Coordinate around school calendars, sports schedules, and major events at your school
- Secure transportation, restaurants and accommodations early. There are many options around Stratford for large groups to dine or stay! Learn more at Stratford for Groups
- Reserve tickets and educational experiences well in advance
- Communicate deadlines and travel requirements to families early
- Offer flexible participation and payment plan options where possible
The Stratford Festival Team is Here to Help
The Stratford Festival's Education, Sales and Box Office departments are a valuable resource for planning and booking. You can get started by emailing groups@stratfordfestival.ca or by filling out our Inquiry form.
Interested in Connecting with a Fellow Educator?
Both contributors generously offered to share their contact information with colleagues who may have follow-up questions about planning a student trip to Stratford. If you'd like to speak directly with someone who has firsthand experience, reach out today.
Mary Bogrette
Public School Teacher, Michigan, Email: mbogrette@bloomfield.org
For Stratford questions, please include "Stratford questions" in the subject line.
Lisa Dobbin
Artistic Director, All The World's A Stage, Michigan Email: lisadobbin@atwas.org