CHILDREN'S WINTER SHOWCASE

December 5, 2026

HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

DECEMBER 5

at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre

Show Times: 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, & 4:00pm

Each children's class is assigned to perform in ONE of the shows listed above.

FIND WHICH SHOW YOUR CLASS(ES) ARE PERFORMING IN

We will be celebrating a year's worth of holidays at the 2026 Children's Winter Showcase, Holiday Spectacular!

Children's Classes (Minis, Juniors, & Elev8 Arts Dancers) will learn choreography from September to December in their weekly classes and showcase their progress on stage at the Winter Showcase.

Other performances at the Holiday Spectacular will include:

Mom & Me Dance
a Winter Musical Production Number (an opportunity for students in jazz levels 1-4 and Teens to perform)
Upper Level Jazz Students performing a Jazz Suite
EDMC Performing Groups; and Impact Dance Company.

We assume all Mini & Junior Students will perform with their class unless you tell us otherwise before October 7. Fill out this form if your child is NOT planning to perform: 2026-27 Change in Performance Status Form.

Tickets go on sale on November 7 at 1 pm. Each family will be given a personal code to purchase up to 6 tickets per show during the first 2 weeks of sales. $18/ticket

Not Planning To Perform?

Fill Out This Change In Performing Status Form Before October 7

Fill Out This Form If Not Performing

Winter Accessory Fees will be automatically posted and processed on Oct. 10 based on your enrollment. No need to let us know if your child IS performing. Only let us know if they are NOT performing.

2026-27 Change in Performance Status Form.

If your dancer will NOT perform with one or more of their classes for the Winter Showcase. You must complete this form by October 7, 2026, to avoid being charged the Winter Showcase Performance Fee, as detailed above.

WINTER PRODUCTION NUMBER

Additional performance opportunity for students in Academy Levels 1-4 & Teen Classes to perform in the Winter Showcase on December 5, 2026.

The Winter Musical Production Number will be "Whos Like Christmas" from Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.

Rehearsals begin October 30.

MOM & ME DANCE

Mom & Me Rehearsal Schedule:

Rehearsals are on the following dates: September 26, October 3, October 10, October 17, November 7, November 21

The rehearsal times for each rehearsal date are split by show number that you are assigned to perform in:

3:00-3:45pm - Show 1
3:45-4:30pm - Show 2
4:30-5:15pm - Show 3
5:15-6:00pm - Show 4

FAQs Winter Showcase

How do I know which show my child is in?

Our Winter Showcase will have four unique shows. Each Children's class is assigned to ONE show—this is your show assignment. You can view all performance information on the Dance Family HUB & find specific info for your child in your Jackrabbit Parent Portal Account!

How do I order their class dress code for what they need to wear on stage?

Order online at www.shopnimbly.com/edmc (allow time for shipping). We have limited stock available at the studio.

What time does my child need to arrive?

Dancer arrival times- also referred to as their “Call Time”, is earlier than the show time, approx. 30-60 minutes prior to the show start time. This is so students can get organized backstage, warm up, and practice with their teaching assistants.

Call times will be assigned to each class & will be added to the Show Assignments document one month before the performance. PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD ARRIVE ON TIME & PERFORMANCE READY, dressed with hair done 🤗

When do we get the Class Accessories?

Accessories will be passed out IN CLASS, the week before Thanksgiving Break

What does my child do while backstage?

Your child will be busy while backstage. After checking in, they stay with their class in a dressing room. Together with other classes, they warm up, stretch, and practice their dance a few times with their teaching assistants, who are with them in their weekly class.

There is no time for anyone to get bored—these are very quick, short shows! But just in case, there are coloring activities, games, and a TV where they can watch what is happening on stage to keep them extra engaged!

Who’s watching my child while backstage?

All our EDMC staff members will be there. At least 1 staff member oversees each backstage room where the dancers wait.

We also enlist the assistance of EDMC Alumni and Veteran Dance Parents who have all been vetted and background checked before helping organize the students backstage during performances. Your child’s teacher will also see them backstage and help them get on and off the stage with excitement, encouragement, and an additional boost of confidence!

How do I do their Hair?

Girls: Hair should be pulled away from the face, into a neat bun at the crown of the head. If possible, bangs and fly aways should be pinned away from the face, so they don’t end up causing shadows from the stage lights.

Boys: Hair should be neatly combed away from the face, and pinned back or sprayed with gel to keep it in place.

Does my child need to wear Makeup?

No. Makeup on young dancers is optional! If you do opt for them to wear makeup, we encourage just a little blush, mascara, and light lipstick/gloss to help their natural features not get washed out by the stage lights. No bright-colored eye shadow or bright-red lip color.

Is there a dress rehearsal?

No. Classes will warm up and practice while backstage with their teaching assistants before the show begins.

Does my child need any special undergarments?

Female dancers will wear skin-tone tights with their costumes.

If your female dancer has more than one costume per show that requires a complete costume change, they will need a skin-tone colored leotard with clear straps to wear under their costumes. This is a studio and venue policy. Children must remain covered at all times, even while changing costumes backstage.

Students with a 2-in-1 costume (combo class) do not need an undergarment leotard unless they have more than one class in the same show.

Purchase online through the dress code website

Do I have to purchase tickets for the show?

Yes. Performing Arts extracurricular activities often require admission to the show. Tickets go on sale starting November 7 at 1:00 PM. We will email you a purchasing code so you can buy tickets prior to that date. Purchases have a limit of 6 tickets per family per show for the first 2 weeks of sales. After the first 2 weeks of sales, and once all families have had a chance to purchase tickets for their immediate family, we will remove the ticket limit.

A note for New Dance Parents 🤗

What to Expect on Recital Days:

Children get checked in before the show begins: This is called a "call time". Typically, their call times are between 30-60 minutes before the start of their show. There are large rooms backstage where they will wait with their classmates.

They will be with their regular Teaching Assistant, the same one that is in their classroom each week. They will also have a "room mom" staff member who stays with their class backstage the entire time, except when they walk with their teacher to and from the stage.

Their teacher will come visit them before they perform. They will warm up with their teacher, just like they do in class. Then the assistants will practice the dance with them. A TV monitor lets them see what is happening on stage. We also have lots of other fun activities and games backstage to help your child stay occupied and build memories with their friends. The "backstage" experience is where a lot of lifelong friendships are strengthened!

On stage, their class assistants will stand off to the side and do all the dance moves, just like they do in the classroom. Some children will remember the choreography all on their own, while other dancers will be happy to have the reminder and a familiar face while they are in front of an audience. As your child finishes their dance and takes a bow or waves, the feeling they will experience from a cheerful and happy audience applauding for their job well done is a feeling that not many children forget! Over and over, kids will tell us that their favorite part was "when everyone clapped". So please, make sure to clap as loud as you can for every child who performs that day!

At the very end of the show, your child will walk across the stage to take their final bow as part of the show's finale. Then dancers will be dismissed (1 to 1) to their parent or guardian. Some will be dismissed at the check-in gate, while others will be dismissed from the stage. Pay attention to the announcements during the show to find out where to pick up your star performer!

A note of encouragement for first-time parents:

First-time nerves are normal and nothing to be feared. They are part of the growing process, and what helps us learn to be resilient! We are there every step of the way to help your child through this important and exciting experience. We also have your phone number ready at all times if there is a situation that arises where we might need a parent's assistance. This rarely happens, but we understand that the nerves sometimes flow both ways between parent and child, and we want you to know we're prepared for anything!

-Your EDMC Team

Report abuse