All Dickinson ISD fifth graders experienced the excitement of live performance this fall thanks to a special partnership between the Hobby Center and ExxonMobil’s Discovery Series. Through this incredible program, each campus had the opportunity to attend a live performance in downtown Houston, exposing students to professional theatre, dance, and storytelling that inspire creativity and curiosity.

The ExxonMobil Discovery Series—now serving more than 40,000 students each year—is designed to make world-class performing arts accessible to young audiences across the region. This marks the second year of partnership between Dickinson ISD and the Hobby Center, a collaboration that continues to expand arts access and educational opportunities for Gator students.

Each campus experienced a different show this semester:

Barber Middle School kicked off the fall in September with Open Dance Project’s vibrant adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a colorful dance theatre performance where a young girl discovers courage, friendship, and self-confidence in a magical world.

Dunbar Middle School followed in October, attending The Ensemble Theatre’s production of Don’t Worry Willy, a music-filled story about a fifth grader navigating social-emotional challenges and learning to embrace who they are.

Lobit Middle School closed out the fall on November 12, attending Cirque Mechanics: TILT! at the Hobby Center’s Sarofim Hall—a high-energy, acrobatic performance blending science, motion, and imagination.

Thanks to ExxonMobil’s generous sponsorship, the program not only provided free admission to each performance but also covered transportation costs, ensuring every fifth grader could attend at no cost to families or the district.

Each class received curriculum folders to guide post-show discussions and reflections, helping students connect what they saw on stage to their learning back in the classroom. Following each performance, students also participated in a Q&A session with the performers, asking questions about training, creativity, and the inspiration behind their art.

The decision to include fifth graders in this year’s program was intentional. At this stage, students are beginning to explore their personal interests and understand they have choices in how they grow—both academically and creatively. Experiences like this encourage them to see the arts not only as entertainment, but as a powerful way to express ideas, build confidence, and strengthen empathy.

Balancing fine arts with academics is essential to helping students develop critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the classroom. The Hobby Center’s Discovery Series gives students a chance to experience that connection firsthand, deepening their appreciation for creativity and culture while reinforcing lessons about perseverance and teamwork.

Dickinson ISD is deeply grateful to the Hobby Center and ExxonMobil for making this unforgettable experience possible. Partnerships like this remind us that when education and the arts come together, students discover not only the world around them—but also the possibilities within themselves.