In Grand Haven, dance takes a new stage

On any given day, Kelsey Lee moves through a packed schedule. Mornings start with rehearsals for Dance PlayHouse, the nonprofit organization she founded. Afternoons take her to the Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging, where she teaches an adaptive ballet barre class to adults aged 55 and older.

“Luckily, my passion work and my pay-the-bills work are kind of connected,” says Lee. 

Lee founded Dance PlayHouse in 2024 to bring professional dance and accessible education to the Lakeshore. Based at Central Park Place in Grand Haven, Dance PlayHouse is becoming a hub for creativity and collaboration.

The organization’s mission is twofold: to provide affordable, inclusive dance education and to make professional dance performances more accessible. 

“Dance is very expensive,” Lee says. “I relied on teachers who let me take classes for free because we couldn’t afford it, and that made all the difference for me growing up. I want to make sure everyone has that opportunity.”

Dance is for everybody

Dance PlayHouse offers a range of classes, from modern dance to creative movement for toddlers and babies. Classes are low-cost, with scholarships available to ensure no one is turned away. 

“We even teach an adaptive ballet barre class for the 55-and-better community,” Lee says. “Our small class sizes ensure each student gets individualized attention, increasing their self-confidence and making them feel seen and appreciated.”

All classes take place on stage in the Acacia Theatre at Central Park Place, creating an inspiring environment for learning. 

“Last winter, I ran into the space manager at Central Park Place, and it was very serendipitous. They were looking for more partners to bring arts into their space, so we started this partnership,” Lee says.

Since launching in September, Dance PlayHouse has welcomed 45 students. 

“It’s been great to see people coming back,” Lee says.

Making local connections

While Lee has danced professionally in cities like Milwaukee, Columbus and New York, she is still learning how to navigate the smaller community of Grand Haven. 

“Grand Haven is different from Grand Rapids. It’s a smaller community, and building connections here is key,” she says.

Her efforts to collaborate are already bearing fruit. On Dec. 7, Dance PlayHouse hosted its first outreach performance at Four Pointes Center, featuring a sneak peek of its work and an audience talk-back. 

A spring show is planned for April 19 at Central Park Place.

“We’re bringing in four guest choreographers, including artists from Michigan and Milwaukee, for an evening of dance,” Lee says.

Lee dreams of bringing more opportunities for collaboration to the Lakeshore, from performances with live musicians to joint productions with local organizations. 

“I’ve seen some really cool collaborations, like a company in Columbus, Ohio, that does a modern dance performance of “Peter and the Wolf” with their symphony every year,” she says. 

“Eventually, I’d love for us to create a collaboration between the orchestra and the dance company every fall.”

Creating roots

For now, Lee is focusing on growing the organization and building local support. Dance PlayHouse operates as a nonprofit. 

“I’m not in this to make money. I’m in it to support performers and create something where I can bring people in and provide accessible education to the community,” she says.

To support this mission, Lee is recruiting more local members to the Dance PlayHouse board of directors. 

“Right now, we have a starter board, mostly people with dance backgrounds from other areas. My goal is to recruit more local people who can bring their unique perspectives and connections,” she says.

Lee wants Dance PlayHouse to become a cornerstone of the West Michigan arts scene by bringing professional dance to the Lakeshore and providing accessible dance education.

“Dance is for everyone,” Lee says. “It’s about movement, connection, and creating something bigger than ourselves.”