Christi Lukasiak and Kelly Hyland Bring Back to the Barre

The original Dance Moms stars will take their hit recap podcast to the stage at URI’s Edwards Auditorium on 6 December, with stories, laughs and a live audience Q&A.

Dance Moms fans at the University of Rhode Island are about to go back to the barre. On Sunday 6 December 2026, Christi Lukasiak and Kelly Hyland will bring their hit podcast, Back to the Barre, live to Edwards Auditorium on URI’s Kingston campus.

The URI Student Entertainment Committee is presenting the night, which starts at 8pm. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 4 November at 10am through The Ryan Center. Students asked for the duo by name, and MN2S secured the booking to bring them to campus.

What to Expect From Back to the Barre Live

Back to the Barre is a weekly podcast that recaps Dance Moms episode by episode. Along the way, Christi and Kelly share behind-the-scenes stories that fans have never heard before. The live show takes that same format and puts it in front of an audience. Fans can catch up on past episodes on Apple Podcasts and Spotify before the big night.

The evening will run as a moderated conversation, followed by an audience Q&A. As a result, fans won’t just listen to the stories. They’ll also get the chance to ask their own questions, from favourite episodes to what really happened when the cameras stopped rolling.

The event’s promotion promises behind-the-scenes stories, funny commentary and “all the Dance Moms drama you’ve been waiting for”. Above all, it’s a chance to see two longtime friends share the stage together.

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Who Are Christi Lukasiak and Kelly Hyland?

Both women were part of the original cast when Dance Moms launched on Lifetime in 2011. Christi appeared alongside her daughter, dancer Chloé Lukasiak. Kelly appeared with her daughters, Brooke and Paige Hyland. All three Hylands stayed with the show through Season 4.

Fans remember Christi as the funny, fiery and optimistic mum of the group. Since leaving the show, she has built a career as a speaker and coach for the next generation. Her work includes courses, a goal-setting planner and an Adulting 101 programme. She also hosts a second podcast, Christi’s Couch.

Kelly, meanwhile, became known for standing up for her daughters on screen. Together, the pair now look back on the series with honesty, humour and plenty of hindsight. That shared history is exactly what gives Back to the Barre its appeal.

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Why Dance Moms Still Connects With Students

Many of today’s university students grew up watching Dance Moms. For them, the show isn’t a distant memory. Instead, it’s part of their childhood, from the competitions to the famous pyramid.

The franchise also continues to draw attention. In 2024, Lifetime aired Dance Moms: The Reunion, which brought several former cast members back together. That kind of moment keeps the show in conversation and introduces it to new viewers.

Podcasts have helped too. Recap shows let fans rewatch old episodes with fresh context and inside knowledge. Consequently, the stars who lived through it become trusted guides to the story. Christi and Kelly bring something no other recap can offer: they were there.

Inside the URI Student Entertainment Committee

The URI Student Entertainment Committee is a student-run organisation that plans events for campus and the wider community. Its members handle everything from booking talent and selling tickets to marketing, stage crew and security. Past events have included concerts, comedy nights and talks from well-known guests.

The committee sits within URI’s Office of Student Involvement. The office aims to help students become active members of campus life through teamwork, leadership and co-curricular experiences. A student-led booking like this one fits that aim. Students choose the talent, then help bring the event to life.

Why Talent-Led Campus Events Work

University audiences know what they want. When students request specific talent, the event already has a built-in audience. That makes promotion easier and turns ticket sales into a real measure of demand.

Christi and Kelly suit that model well. Their rapport is already familiar to podcast listeners, so the live format feels natural rather than staged. Similarly, the Q&A gives students a personal moment with talent they’ve followed for years.

Christi also has experience on campus. In 2023, she spoke to more than 500 students and staff at Slippery Rock University. That event showed how well her honest, relatable style works with student audiences.

For universities, the lesson is clear. The best campus bookings combine recognisable names with formats that invite participation. Nostalgia brings people through the door. However, connection is what makes the night memorable.

Book Talent for Your Campus Event

Christi Lukasiak and Kelly Hyland’s URI show proves how much students value a live, personal connection with the stars they grew up watching. When the right talent meets the right audience, a campus event becomes an experience people talk about long after the night ends.

If you’re planning a university event, speaker series or live show, explore our talent roster or get in touch with our team to find the right fit.