The entire weekend event is a shared adventure with the Universal Orlando Resort, combining a stay at Cabana Bay Resort with a Broadway workshop, rehearsal time, a “Show Choir Slam” for individual groups and the premiere of “Show Choir: Unleashed” in front of thousands of park guests. Students and directors alike will also enjoy four days of Universal Theme Park admission, including the all-new Epic Universe.

The team at World Class Vacations by WorldStrides explained to us what it is, where it is, and how it came to be.

Show Choir: Unleashed

First, there’s an obvious distinction to Show Choir: Unleashed; it takes place on one of the busiest streets in all Orlando: Hollywood Boulevard inside Universal Studios Florida, using a whole new choreography language called “sho-motion.” The concept allows for “multi-directional choreography that transits Hollywood Boulevard for an unforgettable show, especially for park goers”—show choir in synchronous song and dance taking over the length and breadth of Hollywood Boulevard during the day. This marks the first time in memory for a show choir to perform on a major theme park street before.

“Like Pieces of a Puzzle…”

We asked Bill Lacey, performing arts director to World Class Vacations, and show designer for Show Choir: Unleashed, about the concept of sho-motion choreography, and what sets it, and indeed, the whole event apart.

“When we sat to discuss the next new event in our growing catalogue, we noticed an underserved group with enormous talent: the American High School show choir,” Lacey said. “It was clear there are many competitions for show choir and, while they’ve been instrumental in the growth of interest, they all take place indoors. The general public knows little about the art form. That became of critical interest to us.”

“We decided early on to break away from the traditional staging of show choir as a tableau performance. That meant a complete teardown and rebuild of choreography. We went about it like pieces of a puzzle.”

Lacey and his team found what worked on stage doesn’t translate to an open space, especially when that open space is one of the most heavily traveled avenues in the world. Tens of thousands of people, from all corners, travel Hollywood Boulevard daily.

“We had to assure both our choir directors and Universal Orlando of our commitment to ‘show.’ So, we developed a whole new genre of choreography, sho-motion.”

Sho-motion uses a 3-D design element in its choreography patterns that begins by analyzing the dimensions of the performance space. In the case of Hollywood Boulevard, it’s a pretty big stage—over 30 feet wide and 315 feet in length. It then breaks up that space into easily identifiable smaller dimensions. The show choir performs in constant motion along the length of Hollywood Boulevard, while revealing new company fronts throughout. By using sho-motion, every performer finds themselves performing and interacting with audiences on all sides. The distance between performers and audience has never been closer. There’s definitely a learning curve to it, but the look it creates is unbelievable.

From High School Auditorium to the Big Leagues…

Probably the most amazing part of Show Choir: Unleashed is the setting. With the opening of Epic Universe, Universal Orlando Resort is one of the most talked about spots in America today. For decades, show choirs have performed in theme park-adjacent locales. Groups spend days inside hotels and theaters, awaiting those big announcements that often come around midnight. This event doesn’t look like a competition, because it’s not, but it did take a bit of wizardry to pull off.

“Once the event was explained to the creative entertainment team at Universal Orlando Resort, things started to happen quickly,” Rob Brown, president of World Class Vacations, said. “There was great interest in being the premier location, with the entire Universal Complex as our home base being the best of all possible outcomes. Having an entertainment company the size and scope of Universal Orlando Resort giving us their streets is nothing short of amazing.”

Michelle Mugnaini, Universal Orlando Youth Program manager, has worked with Brown and World Class Vacations for many years and is excited to host Show Choir: Unleashed for its inaugural event.

“Universal is extremely proud of the partnership with World Class Vacations by WorldStrides®,” Mugnaini said. “We have seen tremendous success in the collaborative opportunities that we have built together over the last 30 plus years.”

“This groundbreaking event will gather high school show choirs from across North America for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of talent and creativity, hosted within the iconic Universal Studios Florida. We are honored to make this vision a reality and cannot wait to welcome show choirs to this unparalleled event!”

Performing arts students enter the complex as learners and emerge as on-stage talent. It’s literally going from the high school auditorium to a world stage, overnight.

Cast a Wide Net…

High school students who love to sing and dance come in every color, every height and size, and every walk of life. The creative team behind Show Choir: Unleashed has invited high school show choirs, choral departments, and musical theatre students to join in performance together. The producers are excited to watch multiple groups synthesize their energy into a single, dynamic unit on Hollywood Boulevard, but they also wanted to leave room for attending groups to unleash themselves individually in a Show Choir Slam, open to all, and in cooperation with event staff at Universal. Every group attending Show Choir: Unleashed may apply for individual group performance in a best-in-show celebration of kinetic, musical excellence.

Living La Vida Loca

A beautifully appointed resort hotel in the Loews brand, Cabana Bay Resort at Universal Orlando is a beautifully appointed resort hotel with uptown amenities and a vibrant, smart design. Rooms sleep up to five people and have every need covered. Food options include a suite of late-night snacks, served above a bustling food emporium that marries speed with top-level kitchen skills. There are two zero-entry pools, featuring a water slide and lazy river. Even the location is a plus: Cabana Bay is located minutes from the entrance to Universal Studios, making this event a fully self-contained celebration of high-level performance with a dose of adrenaline.

Slated for May 16-19, 2026, Show Choir: Unleashed is the next-gen evolution in elite student performance, bringing together students, directors, and professional talent for a first-of-its-kind outdoor event in front of thousands at Universal Studios Florida.

Directors may gather information and request availability by contacting Danielle Yoder (danielle@wcv.com) or by calling 1-800-222-4432.