It's in the name: Dance shows unfold through, well, dance. In 11 to Midnight, you'll still hear some voices — the lyrics of the songs, some cheering and whooping from the cast as they dance — but there's no scripted dialogue or singing. Yet, as dancer Brendon Chan reminds us, "It is still doing all the elements of storytelling, but fully with dance."

The lack of words is often what makes dance shows seem inaccessible, but it shouldn't. If anything, it makes them more accessible because there's no language barrier.

Plus, you may have already engaged with dance by watching a TV show like Dancing With the Stars or So You Think You Can Dance, or even watching people dance on TikTok. Those performances are shorter-form versions of what you'll see on stage at a show like 11 to Midnight, but live dance shows offer a similar kind of entertainment.

Dance shows don't always have a traditional plot like plays and musicals. 11 to Midnight has a basic premise — a troubled couple hosts a New Year's Eve party for their friends — but beyond that, the main goal is just to bring audiences into that party and make them feel. And what you feel is entirely up to you.

"They can put themselves into one of the characters of the show and feel something new, feel something different than even what we're feeling," said co-creator and star Marideth Telenko.

"However you feel and whatever you're moved by is correct, and that was meant for you," added dancer Kati Simon. "If you just come in open and ready to receive and enjoy a beautiful show and a beautiful story, you will leave exactly the way you are supposed to."

Still need a tip? Think about how you express yourself with your own body. Maybe you stand up straighter when you're confident, hang your head when you're sad, or can't stand still when you're nervous. Pay attention for similar tells in the dancers' bodies (and faces!) on stage, and you'll know what's going on. The sets, props, lighting, and costumes will also give a sense of place and mood.

The only "correct" way to engage with a dance show is to respect the atmosphere you're in. It's like in sports: Golf and tennis matches are quiet affairs, but you're free to be louder and looser (within reason) at a football or baseball game. Similarly, you might stick with polite applause at the ballet, but an upbeat street-styles show might allow, or even ask, you to groove and holler.

11 to Midnight is the latter. "If they see something they like, applaud, or say 'wow,'" said dancer Kristalyn Gill. "As a form of celebration, you can really engage with the dancers while they're performing, and it really enlivens them to continue having that conversation."

Director Lyndsay Magid Aviner noted that, unlike at most theatre and dance performances, you're allowed to take photos during 11 to Midnight. She added, "There are rules, of course, but there's also a freedom to watching the show."

Another perk of no spoken dialogue is that you won't have to worry about crude or suggestive language. Dance shows can deal with mature themes, of course, but often in a more abstract way.

11 to Midnight, for one, depicts marital trouble and drinking, but the kiddos don't have to understand all the particulars. They can just enjoy the cool moves, energetic music, and bright colors. (In 11 to Midnight, when someone "spills" their drink, confetti rains out of their cup.)

"Everybody is going to have a good time," said Marideth Telenko. "It's for young people to old people and everybody in between. It's a party for everybody."

The bottom line is that it's easier to get into a dance show than you may think. If social media dance trends have taught us anything, it's that anyone can be a dancer — and if that's true, then anyone can be a dance fan, too. Maybe you won't immediately go from 11 to Midnight to a more avant-garde or classical piece, but still — don't underestimate yourself!

"There's at least one dance move in this show that anybody could do, which means this show is for absolutely everybody," said co-creator and star Austin Telenko.

"Even if you're not a dancer, you'll be like, 'Oh my gosh, that was so cool,'" added performer Tyson Hill. "Even if you've never seen a dance show, you'll just be in awe."

Get 11 to Midnight tickets now.