students at the fox

Igniting Curiosity Through Live Performance

Our student access program invites regional youth into the historic theater to experience the transformative power of live performance, sparking lifelong curiosity and a deep appreciation of the arts.

Empty auditorium inside the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, showing rows of wooden theater seats facing the stage, with ornate architectural details, decorative ceiling panels, and stage lighting illuminating the performance area.
A performer onstage at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside wearing a blue costume and white gloves, illuminated by spotlight lighting while delivering a scene against a dark background.
A group of attendees standing together outside the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, gathered under an outdoor arcade with hanging lantern lights, arched windows, and decorative architectural details.
Several hands holding event tickets for a performance at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, arranged together in the center of the image.
Two performers seated onstage at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, reaching toward each other across a small vanity table draped with a red cloth, with a framed portrait placed between them as part of the scene.
A large cast performing an elaborate musical number onstage at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, featuring colorful costumes, set pieces, and dramatic lighting in front of an ornate backdrop with arched columns.
Audience members seated inside the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside during an event, with one participant standing and holding a microphone while cameras and additional attendees are visible throughout the auditorium.

About the Program

Students at the Fox provides subsidized theater tickets to students, from elementary school through college, for selected performances at the Fox Performing Arts Center each season.

Who We Serve

Ticket distribution prioritizes equitable access across our community. We provide tickets to:
• Every high school in both city school districts
• Sherman Indian High School
• Schools in neighboring cities such as San Bernardino, Grand Terrace, Colton, and Moreno Valley
• Non-profit organizations serving youth, including groups supporting students experiencing housing insecurity, at-risk teens, and young people in foster care

Why This Program Matters

Although the Fox is a public, city-owned venue, ticket prices set by the venue operator can make attendance out of reach for many families. In our region, more than 67% of families in local school districts live at or below the Federal Poverty Line. For many students, financial barriers make live theater inaccessible.

Growing Demand

Each year, thousands of ticket requests come in, far more than current funding can meet. Educators rely on Students at the Fox as one of the only accessible arts and cultural experiences available to their students. As demand grows, expanding our ticket‑funding capacity is essential so we can reach every organization that applies.

Two performers dressed in detailed mariachi-style costumes standing onstage at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, viewed from behind with guitars in hand, while a large audience fills the illuminated auditorium.
A student band performing onstage at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, with rows of musicians playing clarinets and brass instruments beneath stage lighting and a large screen displaying the event title “Make a Ripple – January 27, 2024.”
A group of performers onstage at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, standing in a row and extending their arms in coordinated poses while wearing long, draped costumes during a theatrical production.

Careers in the Arts

Discover the Magic Behind the Curtain

Our backstage pathways introduce students to the essential technical skills behind live production opening doors to exciting offstage careers in lighting, audio, and stage management.

Explore Live Tech