The 2026 holiday show
A season
of JOY.
Their moment to shine.
Your guide to enjoying every moment.
Everything your FaMMily needs for the Hockessin holiday show, together in one place.
The reveal is coming
JOY.
Official flyer coming November 1
Your family’s show guide is ready below.
Mark your calendar
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 6 at 9 AM ET.
01 / Reserve your seats
A seat for every
proud moment.
Before purchasing, check your studio, performance date and show time. Both studios use the same ticketing website.
Tickets open
Friday, November 6
9:00 AM Eastern
Hockessin · December 19 · 11 AM & 4 PM
Open ticketing website ↗The ticketing website opens in a new tab. Sales begin at the date and time above.
Before you book
Check every class your dancer takes before choosing seats. Some classes perform in both shows. Find your dancer’s show assignments →
Lap children do not need a ticket. Ticket prices, additional seating details and other admission policies will be shared separately.
02 / Your show day
Hockessin dancers.
A stage full of JOY.
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Mitchell Hall · Newark, DE
Morning performance
11:00 AM
Afternoon performance
4:00 PM
These are performance start times. The house opens at 10:30 AM for the morning show and 3:30 PM for the afternoon show. Dancer check-in times will be shared separately. View the full show-day schedule → See class show assignments below →
Find the venue on Maps ↗Park in Lot 37C on the University of Delaware campus. Dancers, including afternoon dancers, enter through the side stage door. Accessible entry details will be shared separately.
Find your dancer’s performance
Hockessin show assignments.
Saturday, December 19, 2026 · Mitchell Hall
Find every class your dancer takes before purchasing tickets. These lists show participation, not performance order.
Does your dancer perform in both shows?
Company, Junior Company, 2B Praise Dance and 3 Praise Dance are in both the 11 AM and 4 PM shows. Dancers taking other classes across the two lists may also perform in both shows.
Additional select Level 3 dances may be included in the 11 AM show. Those additions will be confirmed here.
Morning performance
11:00 AM
| Class | Teacher |
|---|---|
| Ballet & Hip Hop A | Paulina Oakley |
| Ballet/HH/Tap Combo B | Paulina Oakley |
| Company Both shows | Shakerah McDowell |
| Junior Company Both shows | Adrianna Brown |
| Mini A Ballet & Jazz Combo | Adrianna Brown |
| Mini A Combo | Paulina Oakley |
| Mini B Ballet & Jazz Combo | Adrianna Brown |
| Mini B Combo | Paulina Oakley & Elizabeth Paulhill |
| Mini B Hip Hop | Teacher to be confirmed |
| Mini Hip Hop & Tumble | Ayanna Harris |
| Tap/MT Combo | Adrianna Brown |
| Twos | Adrianna Brown |
| Moving with Me | Adrianna Brown |
| Daddy Daughter | Paulina Oakley |
| 2B Praise Dance Both shows | Melody Hubert |
| 3 Praise Dance Both shows | Melody Hubert |
Afternoon performance
4:00 PM
| Class | Teacher |
|---|---|
| 1 Hip Hop | Chayse Tucker |
| 1 Majorette | Adrianna Brown |
| 1 Praise Dance | Alijah Harris |
| 1 Technique Combo | Shakerah McDowell |
| 2/3 Hip Hop | Shakerah McDowell |
| 2A Majorette | Melody Hubert |
| 2A Praise Dance | Alijah Harris |
| 2A Technique Combo | Alijah Harris |
| 2B Ballet | Alijah Harris |
| 2B Jazz | Melody Hubert |
| 2B Majorette | Elizabeth Paulhill |
| 2B Modern | Elizabeth Paulhill |
| 2B Praise Dance Both shows | Melody Hubert |
| 3 Ballet/Pointe | Elizabeth Paulhill |
| 3 Jazz | Melody Hubert |
| 3 Majorette | Elizabeth Paulhill |
| 3 Modern | Elizabeth Paulhill |
| 3 Praise Dance Both shows | Melody Hubert |
| Company Both shows | Shakerah McDowell |
| Junior Company Both shows | Adrianna Brown |
| Adult Praise | Melody Hubert |
| Adult Ballet | Elizabeth Paulhill |
| Adult Majorette | Elizabeth Paulhill |
Show times are performance start times. Dancer arrival times will be shared separately. Mini B Hip Hop’s teacher will be confirmed.
03 / The finishing touches
Hair & makeup.
A polished look for their moment on stage. Use the reference photo and guide below as you get your dancer ready.
A secure high bun
Hair should be styled in a high bun. Secure the bun with a hair net and several bobby pins so it stays in place while dancing.
Matte red lipstick
Choose a red matte lipstick with no shine. This finish looks best on stage.
Our top recommendation: Ruby Woo by MAC. The specific brand is a recommendation; the matte red finish is the requirement.
We suggest lining the lips with a burgundy or brown lip liner for a more polished look.
Eyes & lashes
Neutral-toned eyeshadow is recommended.
For dancers in Level 1 and up, we highly recommend age-appropriate false lashes to complement the look.
Lashes and eyeshadow are recommendations.
Hockessin / December 14–17
Tech week schedule.
Find your class below and plan ahead for rehearsal week. All tech week rehearsals take place at the Hockessin studio.
Monday, December 14
No regular classes
Reserved for additional rehearsal if needed.
Tuesday, December 15
5:30–6:15 PM
- Moving with Me
- Twos
- Ballet/Jazz A
- Mini A Combo
- Ballet/Hip Hop A
Tuesday, December 15
6:30–7:30 PM
- Ballet & Jazz B
- Mini B Combo
- Hip Hop & Tumble
- Ballet, Hip Hop and Tap
Thursday, December 17
All Level 1–3 dancers
5:30–8:30 PM
All times are Eastern. This is the Hockessin rehearsal schedule.
Saturday, December 19, 2026 · Mitchell Hall
Your show-day schedule.
Find every class your dancer takes and arrive 10 minutes before their first stage rehearsal.
Arrive ready & plan your visit
Show-day hair and makeup must be completely finished before arrival.
Rehearsal attire for Level 1 and up: arrive in your leotard and tights.
Performing in both shows? Dancers must leave the theater between shows and return for their next assigned rehearsal or arrival time.
Estimated show length: 1–1½ hours per performance.
Late seating: audience members arriving after the show begins will be seated between dance numbers.
Morning stage rehearsal
| Stage time | Class | Arrive by |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30–9:45 AM | Level 3 Praise & Adult Praise | 9:20 AM |
| 9:45–9:50 AM | Company | 9:35 AM |
| 9:50–9:55 AM | Ballet, Hip Hop & Tap Combo B | 9:40 AM |
| 9:55–10:00 AM | Ballet & Jazz B | 9:45 AM |
| 10:00–10:05 AM | Hip Hop & Tumble | 9:50 AM |
| 10:05–10:10 AM | Mini B Combo | 9:55 AM |
| 10:10–10:15 AM | Junior Company | 10:00 AM |
| 10:15–10:20 AM | Daddy & Me B | 10:05 AM |
| 10:20–10:25 AM | Daddy & Me A | 10:10 AM |
10:30 AM: Audience doors open. 11:00 AM: Morning show begins. Estimated ending: 12:00–12:30 PM.
Between shows & afternoon arrival
Morning-show dismissal begins after the show ends; the show is estimated to last 1–1½ hours; the ending time is not guaranteed. All morning-show dancers must leave with their families. Morning dismissal and afternoon check-in may overlap. Staff will manage outgoing families and incoming dancers at the same time. Please follow staff directions and keep entrances and walkways clear. Afternoon stage rehearsal is scheduled to begin at 1:25 PM.
Afternoon dancers enter through the side stage door, 10 minutes before their first scheduled rehearsal. Adult Ballet arrives by 1:15 PM; Adult Majorette arrives by 1:20 PM. Afternoon dancers check in at the side stage door even if morning dismissal is still underway. Please follow staff directions for where to wait; do not enter backstage or dressing rooms without staff guidance.
Afternoon stage rehearsal
| Stage time | Class | Arrive by |
|---|---|---|
| 1:25–1:30 PM | Adult Ballet | 1:15 PM |
| 1:30–1:35 PM | Adult Majorette | 1:20 PM |
| 1:35–1:45 PM | 1 Technique | 1:25 PM |
| 1:45–1:55 PM | 1 Praise | 1:35 PM |
| 1:55–2:05 PM | 1 Majorette | 1:45 PM |
| 2:05–2:15 PM | 1 Hip Hop | 1:55 PM |
| 2:15–2:20 PM | 2A Majorette | 2:05 PM |
| 2:20–2:25 PM | 2A Technique | 2:10 PM |
| 2:25–2:30 PM | 2A Praise | 2:15 PM |
| 2:30–2:35 PM | 2/3 Hip Hop | 2:20 PM |
| 2:35–2:40 PM | 2B Ballet | 2:25 PM |
| 2:40–2:45 PM | 2B Jazz | 2:30 PM |
| 2:45–2:55 PM | 2B Modern | 2:35 PM |
| 2:55–3:05 PM | 2B Majorette | 2:45 PM |
| 3:05–3:10 PM | 3 Majorette | 2:55 PM |
| 3:10–3:15 PM | 3 Modern | 3:00 PM |
| 3:15–3:20 PM | 3 Ballet/Pointe | 3:05 PM |
| 3:20–3:25 PM | 3 Jazz | 3:10 PM |
| 3:25–3:30 PM | MT/Tap | 3:15 PM |
3:30 PM: Audience doors open. 4:00 PM: Afternoon show begins.
All times are Eastern. The morning show is estimated to end between noon and 12:30 PM. Arrive 10 minutes before your first scheduled stage rehearsal.
Your family’s quick guide
Arrival & show essentials.
Audience doors open 30 minutes before each performance: 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Dancer arrival
Arrive at the side stage door 10 minutes before your first scheduled stage rehearsal.
Twos and Moving With Me arrive at 10:30 AM, fully dressed with hair and makeup complete. They perform near the beginning of the 11 AM show. Moving With Me participating adults remain with their dancer through the performance.
What to bring
- All required dance shoes.
- Costumes on hangers inside the studio-provided garment bag.
- Label every item with your child’s first name and last initial.
- Water is the only drink allowed backstage.
- Small, non-messy snacks are permitted. Dancers must cover or change out of their costumes before eating. Avoid crumbly, greasy, sticky or staining foods.
Tickets & recording
Lap children do not need a ticket.
A professional recording will be made. Audience recording is welcome. No flash photography.
Show-day help
Call or text the studio at 302-306-5457 for show-day assistance.
Between shows
Dancers leave with their families for lunch. They do not stay at the theater between shows; staff do not provide between-show supervision.
A smooth goodbye
Pickup & early departure.
Please review these instructions with the adult picking up your dancer.
Authorized pickup required
Dancers will only be released to a parent or authorized pickup adult listed in their parent portal. We cannot release dancers to adults who are not listed. Please update your authorized pickup information before show day.
Early pickup
Dancers may leave after completing all of their scheduled performances. Please notify the studio before show day and remind staff at check-in if you need early pickup.
Early pickup location: Side door. Use the same dancer entrance used at arrival to avoid walking back and forth through the theater.
For an unexpected early departure, call or text 302-306-5457. Please allow time for staff to gather your dancer and their belongings. A staff member will bring your dancer to the designated door and complete checkout.
Parents may not enter backstage or dressing rooms.
Moving With Me & Twos
Both groups exit through the side door immediately after their performances.
Moving With Me: The participating adult stays with their dancer, and they leave together immediately after performing.
Twos: Dancers must be checked out by a parent or authorized pickup adult listed in their parent portal.
Regular end-of-show pickup
After the show, the curtain closes while dancers return to their dressing rooms to collect their belongings. They then return to the stage for pickup.
Parents join the pickup line at the front of the stage. Dancers are released in parent-line order once they are packed and ready. Please wait for a staff member to release your child before leaving.
Regular pickup is from the stage, not backstage or dressing rooms. The authorized-adult requirement applies to all pickups.
04 / Less rushing. More celebrating.
Your show-ready plan.
Use this checklist as your family’s preparation guide. Checkmarks stay on this device.
Your family checklist
Rehearsal & arrival
View the tech week schedule above. View show-day stage rehearsal, seating and dismissal times. Dancer check-in, re-entry and backstage instructions will be shared separately.
Performance start time is different from dancer arrival time.
05 / A little clarity goes a long way
Questions, answered.
Which show should I buy tickets for?
This guide is for the Hockessin studio’s December 19 performances at Mitchell Hall. Use the show assignment lists to check every class your dancer takes before selecting the 11 AM or 4 PM performance. Company, Junior Company, 2B Praise Dance and 3 Praise Dance perform in both shows. Additional select Level 3 dances may join the 11 AM show; those additions are pending confirmation.
When can I purchase tickets?
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 6, 2026 at 9 AM Eastern. Use the ticketing link above and choose the correct studio, date and time.
What time should my dancer arrive?
Review the show-day schedule for your class’s stage rehearsal time. Dancer check-in and re-entry instructions will be shared separately. Audience seating opens at 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM; performances begin at 11 AM and 4 PM.
Where can I find hair and makeup instructions?
Use the Hair & Makeup guide for the high bun, matte red lipstick and recommended finishing touches, including a reference photo.
What about young children, accessibility and ticket policies?
Lap children do not need a ticket. Additional admission policies, accessible seating guidance and seating details will be shared separately.
Can my dancer leave early?
Yes, after completing all scheduled performances. Please notify the studio in advance and remind staff at check-in. Early pickup is at the side door. For unexpected departures, call or text 302-306-5457. Only adults listed in the parent portal may collect dancers. Read the full pickup policy.
Can dancers stay in the theater between shows?
No. Dancers performing in both shows must leave the theater between performances and return for their next assigned rehearsal or arrival time.
How long is the show, and what if I arrive late?
Each show is estimated to last 1–1½ hours. Late seating takes place between dance numbers.
Who should I contact if I still need help?
Send your question through Studio Hub using your usual studio messaging channel. Include your dancer’s name, class and Hockessin studio so the team can help.