DFS Demonstration Performances are hour-long matinee performances.  They are held in a professional performance venue, like Royce Hall or Freud Playhouse, and feature all the trappings of a traditional performance experience-- a printed program, ushers in black and white uniforms, the rush of excitement as the lights dim.  Generally, these special programs also include an Artist Q&A with the audience and some discussion of the work and how it was created.  

Materials are sent to participating teachers before the event, including information about the artist and art form and discussion/activity guides to help students make personal connections to the performance.

These workshops offer students an opportunity to interact with artists in a smaller group and a more informal setting. They are held our rehearsal studio, and attendance is limited to a maximum of 150 students, and sometimes as few as 50. 

Many Performance Workshops targeted specifically to older students offer participatory activities and artist-led discussions, for a window into an artist's creative process or the life of a professional performer.

Some Performance Workshops are geared towards younger audiences in grades 2-4.  These are called My Special World programs, and include a hands-on component like making an instrument to take home or learning to sing opera.  

It’s simple! Just check out our calendar of events, choose the performance you’d like to attend and fill out our RSVP form. We’ll send you confirmation via email and more details about your visit. Be sure to sign up early—reservations are first-come first-served. 

Admission to all DFS activities is free. 

You are responsible for your own transportation to UCLA, and any substitute teacher arrangements.

Design for Sharing’s Perloff Memorial Bus Fund helps us ensure that every school has an opportunity to experience the arts at UCLA.

To apply for subsidized bus transportation for a DFS activity, simply complete Bus Request section of the RSVP form.  Generally, you'll need to request a bus at least 1 month before the event.  We can't accommodate requests made less than 2 weeks in advance.  

We do our best to provide as many buses as possible for each event, though we do often receive more requests than we can accommodate.

If you bring sack lunches, we will store them in the lobby during the performance. There is no dedicated lunch area, but you are welcome to picnic in any open space on campus. There are many grassy areas that are perfect for an outdoor lunch. We just ask that you are respectful of the classrooms and offices nearby. 

Older students may want to buy lunch at one of the many campus eateries. Be sure to allow plenty of time—lines can be long during the lunch rush.

Absolutely. Just be sure to include them in your head count when you fill out the RSVP form—we’ll need to reserve enough seats for them.

Chaperones are expected to sit with students and help maintain appropriate standards of behavior. 

Education resources will be emailed in PDF format about a week before the performance.  We send them to the contact person noted on the RSVP form.  If that's you, please be sure to share them with other teachers attending.

Materials from past events are available in our Downloadable Reference Materials section.

Demonstration Performances are generally about an hour (55-70 minutes)with no intermission. 

Of course! We hope you’ll take this opportunity to explore UCLA and enjoy our campus. 

You can access a PDF of the UCLA Self-Guided Tour here.  If you don't have time for a full tour, you can still feel free to check out the Sculpture Garden, the Bruin Bear, or one of our many libraries, museums, and galleries--whatever interests you and your students.

A standard bus has a maximum capacity of 52 teens/adults (2 per seat) or 76 young children(3 per seat).

For middle grades, where a mix of 2- and 3person seating arrangements might be possible, we generally assume a capacity of 60-62.  Be aware that your bus driver will have final approval of actual capacity during boarding to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers.  

 LAUSD Risk Management does routinely approve trips to Theatre at Ace Hotel, but it is not yet included on the LAUSD Approved Destination list. Please start your paperwork early and allow plenty of time for processing: LAUSD recommends 45 days.  

Yes!  Our main bus provider is American Transportation, an LAUSD and University of California approved vendor.  Additional buses are booked through the UCLA Transportation office, who contracts with a number of LAUSD approved bus companies, including MST and Four Winds.

You'll get a confirmation of your bus booking, including provider name and day-of contact info, before your event.