The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is set to welcome up to 40,000 students during the 2025–26 season of the ExxonMobil Discovery Series, doubling the reach of this free educational program that uses live performance to inspire and educate the next generation.

Building on this year’s milestone of serving 20,000 students, the expanded program will utilize both Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall to accommodate a broader range of audiences. The initiative, sponsored by ExxonMobil, aims to provide meaningful arts experiences to students from 13 Houston-area school districts, many of whom are entering a theater for the first time.

By offering professionally produced, curriculum-connected performances during school hours, the ExxonMobil Discovery Series supports the development of critical thinking, creativity, communication, and cultural literacy among students. In addition to students and educators, the series also benefits local artists and arts organizations, providing them with a platform to expand their reach and impact.

In the upcoming 2025–26 season, the program will serve students from Aldine, Alief, Dickinson, Fort Bend, Galena Park, Houston, Humble, Klein, Pasadena, Sheldon, Spring, and Texas City Independent School Districts, as well as YES Prep.

The season will feature a diverse lineup of performances including:

• Sept. 24–26, 2025: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Open Dance Project
• Oct. 6–9, 2025: Orígenes by Ars Lyrica Houston, curated by Cecilia Duarte and Jesus Pechuco
• Oct. 21–24, 2025: Don’t Worry Willy by The Ensemble Theatre
• Oct. 28–30, 2025: My Posse’s on Broadway by YUNGCHRIS & Sonkiss’d Dance Concepts
• Nov. 11–13, 2025: TILT! by Cirque Mechanics
• Nov. 18–20, 2025: Female Expression by Houston Contemporary Dance Company
• Jan. 20–22, 2026: Free Rein by Musiqa & NobleMotion
• Feb. 4–6, 2026: Mozart: Cats and Mice by Mercury Chamber Orchestra
• Feb. 17–19 & 23–26, 2026: Colored Carnegie by Urban Souls Dance Company

The Discovery Series also celebrates several milestones in 2025–26, including the 125th anniversary of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the 10th anniversary of Open Dance Project. These performances not only enhance educational experiences but also foster deeper community engagement through storytelling, dance, music, and theater.

The expansion of the Discovery Series reinforces the Hobby Center’s commitment to accessibility, equity, and arts education—empowering students across Greater Houston to dream bigger and connect with the world around them through the transformative power of the performing arts.