Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts sees countless students come study in its lobby and is now ready to invite them to the front row of their theatre.
Queen’s students can access free tickets to performances at the Isabel with their new Free Student Ticket program, which is applicable to all shows in their 2026-27 season. Students can claim free tickets for performances by selecting the “Queen’s Student” ticket type when booking on their website.
The shows at the Isabel Bader Centre range from contemporary music, opera, dance, and more. The venue contains a 566-seat performance hall, exhibition spaces, and screening rooms.
After a soft-launch last winter, Director of the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts Gordon Smith believes that now is the right time to launch the free ticket program in its entirety.
Although tickets have previously been 50 per cent off for students, there was still a financial barrier to student attendance, with the cost of tickets ranging from $25 to $60.
“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for students,” Smith said in an interview with The Journal. “I really would like to build student interest in the Isabel, and this is an initiative that I hope will help with that.”
The 2026-2027 season begins with ensemble132 at their pre-show reception on Sept. 20. The show consists of four soloists coming together to perform classical chamber music.
Throughout the year, there are 23 more shows held at the Isabel, and students are invited to take advantage of their free tickets at any of them.
The Isabel hosts artists from various cultures and musical disciplines, with performers ranging from mariachi bands to classical pianists.
Through this initiative, they intend to reach students who don’t traditionally attend these events.
“The goal is to build it and get more students here and experiencing performances and events at the Isabel,” Smith said. “The free ticket program is a strategy to build student engagement.”
The initiative was created with the intention of breaking down barriers to the Isabel. Their Strategic Plan includes a statement on accessibility and on the inclusion of individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
Without finances getting in the way, all students have to do now is take the initiative and go enjoy the magic of live shows. Smith told The Journal that he hopes the program will continue to grow and that students will realize “that the Isabel is here and is a welcome space for everyone.”
Tags
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, live theatre, performing arts
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