Created Jul 22, 2025
15 Themes To Consider For Your Next Show
Christmas 2025 is just around the corner. Unsure what theme to plan your next dance show around?
We know, we know — talking about Christmas in July should be criminal. But now is the perfect time to start planning, especially if you’re organizing an event for your dance or theatre school.
It can be difficult to come up with fresh and creative themes for winter showcases. But don’t worry, we’ve got 15 amazing theme ideas that you, your teachers, and your students are going to love! (Because we know, after your 5th, 10th, or 30th show, inspiration for themes can sometimes be a bit tricky.)
1. Around The World: A Showcase of Dances, Costumes and Cultures
“Around the World” is a theme that never gets old — and the possibilities are limitless.
Each dance class, genre, or age group can represent a different country. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to learn about new cultures, but it also allows students to explore diverse dance styles and rhythms they might not otherwise encounter.
You could build your “Around the World” showcase around a storyline — someone traveling the globe, spinning a magical globe, or studying cultures in a school setting.
Some cultural dance inspirations to explore:
- Saudi Arabia – Ardah (Traditional Sword Dance):
Typically performed by men, featuring synchronized movements with swords, accompanied by traditional music and spoken poetry. The dance is powerful and emotionally evocative and can be adapted for stage with safe props and rhythmic choreography. - Ireland – Traditional Irish Dance (for Tap):
With its rhythmic footwork and lively tempo, Irish dance is a natural fit for tap. You can introduce students to traditional Irish jigs or reels, incorporating intricate percussive patterns and joyful energy.
Brazil – Samba Fusion (for Street or Ballet):
Samba’s vibrant rhythms and expressive movement can be fused with street dance or ballet for a fresh take. Whether it’s the elegant arm lines of ballet or the grounded energy of hip hop, Brazilian samba offers a high-energy, colorful addition to your show.
2. A Trip To The Musicals
With hundreds of musicals to choose from — both old and new — a “Night at the Musicals” is a theme that just keeps on giving.
From operatic classics like Phantom of the Opera to modern hits like Hamilton, this theme offers something for every taste — and it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Some ideas to get you started:
- Chicago – The choreography is practically ready-made and perfect for older students. Think modern jazz and tap numbers with strong character work.
- Annie or Matilda – Ideal for younger classes, with fun, energetic songs and expressive storytelling.
- Les Misérables or Evita – Great for more advanced dancers or senior groups, with opportunities for lyrical, contemporary, or dramatic pieces to evoke emotions, either as solo pieces or duets.
With countless musicals to take inspiration from, you can tailor your showcase to fit your students’ strengths and interests. Why not get your students to vote on their preferred musical and take some ownership for their performance?
3. Intergalactic Space Adventure
This theme is where you can really roll up your sleeves and get creative. The sky isn’t the limit — your imagination is!
Think alien planets, deep space travel, black holes, constellations, and exploring unknown worlds. Each of these ideas can be brought to life through different dance styles:
- Aliens – A fusion of contemporary and jazz brings otherworldly creatures to life with sharp, unusual movements and bold character work.
- Travelling through space, black holes, constellations – Ballet is perfect for creating the sense of awe, wonder, and fluid motion of celestial exploration.
- Exploring new planets – Tap dance can mimic the excitement and discovery of landing somewhere brand new, with rhythms that sound like space-age sound effects.
Take your audience out of their seats and into outer space with choreography that’s truly out of this world. Pair your dances with tracks like Children of the Sun by Billy Thorpe, the Star Wars theme, Intergalactic by the Beastie Boys, and more!
4. Fairy Tales & Nursery Rhymes
Now, don’t be put off by the fairy tale theme just because it’s been a go-to for end-of-season shows since Cinderella first lost her glass slipper. There are so many ways to put a fresh spin on this classic idea.
Try changing the narrative — instead of telling the story from the hero’s point of view, explore it from a different angle. What if the story came from one of the stepsisters in Cinderella, the seven dwarfs in Snow White, or the three bears in Goldilocks?
Each fairy tale can be assigned to a different age group, class, or genre — and you could even tie it all together by following one dancer as they journey through the pages of a magical storybook, stepping into each tale along the way.
5. Day Trip To The Zoo
Now, this might seem a bit out there — but hear us out…
Think about all the animals you’d find in a zoo: big cats, monkeys, reptiles, birds… Now think about how different they all are — in how they move, live, and hunt.
Now imagine capturing each of those creatures through movement and dance.
The best part? You can get really creative here. Mix and match animals (and genres or age groups) to reflect life at the watering hole on the African savannah, or the hustle and flow of life in the ocean.
This theme allows for bold costumes, exciting character work, and a wide range of choreography — from sharp, powerful movements for predators to flowing, graceful pieces for sea creatures or birds in flight.
6. Heroes & Villains
There’s no better showdown than the timeless battle between good and evil. Bring that intensity to the stage by choreographing iconic struggles between our favorite heroes and villains.
But don’t stop there — go deeper by exploring battles between emotions as well. Think:
- Jealousy vs Contentment
- Empathy vs Selfishness
- Anger vs Forgiveness
These emotional contrasts can be just as powerful as physical battles — and just as captivating to watch.
You can portray both feelings and characters — from family favorites like Harry Potter vs Voldemort, to Superman vs Lex Luthor, or even your own original hero-villain duos.
Dances choreographed around this theme are all about powerful storytelling — expressing thoughts, emotions, and struggles purely through movement. It’s dramatic, dynamic, and guaranteed to leave an impression.
7. The Seasons
A lot happens in a year. Explore the changing seasons and the different themes that unfold throughout each quarter.
Students can draw on their own experiences — from starting school, to graduating college, welcoming new siblings, or reflecting on how they’ve grown and changed. Just like the leaves that grow fresh in spring, flourish in summer, turn brown in autumn, and finally fall in winter, these stages of life offer rich inspiration.
Each class can represent a different season, with varied dance styles blending together to mirror the cycle of nature’s transformations.
8. A night under the big top: Circus style
Nothing says fun and silliness like a night at the circus.
Capture the whimsy, excitement, and jaw-dropping entertainment that make the circus so magical — and bring that energy to your end-of-year showcase.
Each segment of the show can highlight different aspects of the circus: the thrilling acts themselves, the behind-the-scenes life of packing up and setting up the big top, the sparkle of the lights, and the electric atmosphere that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
Here are some ideas for dance styles:
- Ballet dancers could portray the elegance and grace of aerialists or trapeze artists, floating through the air with delicate, controlled movements.
- Tap dance could represent the rhythmic clatter of the circus performers’ footsteps or the lively energy of clowns and jugglers.
Street dance could bring the bold, high-energy vibe of the circus performers’ showmanship, acrobats, and strongmen, with sharp, dynamic moves.
9. The Wild West
The country is big right now. Country music, cowboy boots, double denim, and more - country is sweeping across the nation, and you know what, we’re not mad about it.
Why not take advantage of the popularity of the country phenomenon sweeping the nation and tailor your Christmas show to be representative of country music?
With line dancing, hearty beats, and strong, emotive lyrics, it’s never been a better time to showcase country music at your show.
10. A Journey Through The Decades
Pick your favorite era — the 60s, 70s, 80s, or 90s — and create a show that’s a love letter to that decade. From iconic costumes to unforgettable music and cultural movements, there’s so much to explore.
Think legendary bands, classic movies, and the celebrities who defined each era. You can choose to focus the entire show on one decade or take your audience on a journey through time — with each class representing a different era.
Let students explore how their dance styles have evolved over the years: the 1920s brought the Charleston and the shimmy; the 30s and 40s were all about swing, the 50s saw the rise of the hand jive and rock ‘n’ roll moves; the 60s gave us the twist, and go-go dancing; the 70s brought disco fever; the 80s exploded with breakdancing, and the 90s delivered hip-hop grooves, and boyband-style choreography.
It’s nostalgic, energetic, and packed with personality — the perfect way to celebrate how music and movement have changed through the decades.
11. A Night At The Movies
Get your popcorn ready, it’s time for a night at the movies. Similar to the musical's theme, this showcase takes a trip to the silver screen. Let each class choose their favorite movie and use it as inspiration to explore the themes, characters, or iconic scenes through dance.
Whether it’s the magic of Harry Potter, the adventure of The Lion King, the emotion of The Greatest Showman, or the fun of Minions, students can dive into storytelling, character work, and atmosphere.
They can recreate iconic moments, express the emotional journeys of the characters, or even interpret a movie’s underlying message through movement. With so many genres and styles to choose from — action, animation, drama, fantasy — the creative possibilities are endless!
12. Murder Mystery
Think Cluedo, but told entirely through dance. Hear us out.
The show opens with a soloist performing their “final moments” — dramatic, expressive, and setting the scene for a mystery. From there, the showcase becomes a giant game of Cluedo, with the story unfolding as the characters’ journey through different rooms, suspects, and clues is brought to life on stage.
Each “room” and “suspect” can be represented by a different class or dance genre. For example:
- Reverend Green – Tap dance
- Mrs. Peacock – Ballet
- Madame Rose – Jazz
- Professor Plum – Contemporary
- Colonel Mustard – Hip Hop
- Miss Scarlet – Lyrical or Latin Fusion
Whether it’s the conservatory with ribbon props or the library with sharp, suspenseful movements, each piece brings the mystery closer to being solved — until the final big reveal. It’s a fun, dramatic theme that blends narrative, character, and movement into one unforgettable show.
13. Speakeasy: A Night of Jazz, Risk, and Rebellion
Step back into the world of Prohibition-era America — where jazz ruled the underground, bathtub gin flowed behind closed doors, and secret speakeasies lit up the night. It was a time when half the country became criminals for wanting a drink, while the other half were encouraged to turn them in.
This theme is full of moody lighting, vintage style, and smoky mystery. Think flapper-inspired jazz numbers, sharp tap choreography echoing the sound of hidden footsteps, and dramatic pieces that capture the tension of living on the edge. It’s a night of risk, rum, rhythm — and unforgettable rewards
14. Time Travelling
Similar to the decades night, but instead of recent decades, you can travel to any period that interests you.
Past, present, and future — using dance as your time machine. Each class can represent a different era or even a historical event, with styling and music to match.
- Ancient Egypt with fluid, tribal-inspired movement
- The Renaissance with elegant, court-style ballet
- The future with robotic street dance or neon-lit lyrical
This theme offers a great blend of education, drama, and creativity — perfect for a showcase that’s both entertaining and rich with visual variety.
15. Through the Portal: A Journey Into Fantasy Worlds
Think The Wizard of Oz, Narnia, Alice in Wonderland — what do all these stories have in common? A journey from the ordinary into the extraordinary. A step through a wardrobe, a tumble down a rabbit hole, a whirlwind into a magical land.
Send your dancers on an adventure through a series of fantastical storylands. They could dance like Munchkins in fields of tulips, like fauns and centaurs battling the White Witch in a frozen forest, or like Alice navigating the curious, chaotic world of Wonderland.
Each class can represent a different realm — whimsical, dark, enchanted, or surreal — with choreography, costumes, and music that bring that world vividly to life. It’s a theme filled with transformation, imagination, and storytelling through movement.
How Can Stage Stubs Help?
At Stage Stubs, we know the work doesn’t stop once you’ve chosen a theme for your dance recital — in fact, that’s just the beginning.
But don’t worry, we’re with you every step of the way on your ticket-selling journey.
From setting up your event in as little as ten minutes, to creating your seating plans (completely free of charge), to helping you generate additional revenue through ad space and merchandise sales.
We also have a wide variety of helpful guides, blogs, and resources, supporting you through every stage…
Check out our blogs here:
