Unlock your child’s inner choreographer and transform the way they inhabit the stage with this four-week choreography camp at The Playhouse at White Lake designed specifically to build confidence in movement and creative autonomy. Far from a traditional "follow-the-leader" dance class, this session treats movement as a form of physical playwriting. Over the course of four 60-minute sessions, participants will move between the Main Stage and the Green Room to master the essential building blocks of choreography—exploring how stage directions, levels, and textures can be used to craft a compelling narrative.

What makes this camp unique is the shift in ownership: the artists are the architects. Under professional guidance of Dance PlayHouse company members, students will explore the inner workings of creating an original piece of movement designed on their bodies, for their bodies. From selecting the music to defining the storyline, the creative choices belong entirely to the performers. The session culminates in an end-of-week showcase where these self-created works are premiered for an audience. Registration includes a Dance PlayHouse Company T-shirt and the chance to bridge the gap between acting and dance in an empowering, low-pressure environment.

This dynamic workshop features a variety of classes designed for participants to refine their technique, expand movement vocabulary, and explore authentic expression. Ideal for intermediate to advanced movers ages 14+ ready to push boundaries, take risks, and deepen their contemporary practice in an inspiring, high-level setting.

Full Day | $90
Half Day | $50
Drop-in | $15 pre-register/ $20 walk-in

SCHEDULE
9:00-10:00am PILATES FOR DANCERS with Jovita Weibel from Muskegon Community College

10:00-11:15am HORTON TECHNIQUE with Lachan Niedbala from Movement Reservoir Dance Company

11:15-12:30pm CONTEMPORARY & DPH REPERTOIRE with Lauren Sawson from Dance PlayHouse

12:30-1:00pm LUNCH *not provided

1:00-2:00pm HIP HOP with Alex Swanger from Essence Movement Collective

2:00-3:00pm HEELS with Brenna Brookelyn from Enigmatic Performance Society

3:00-4:00pm TAP with Morgan Madden from Dance PlayHouse

Join us for an open class with our Choreographer-In-Residence! | $15 pre-register / $20 walk-in

ABOUT ALISHA
ALISHA JIHN | 靳書怡 (she/her) is a dancer, maker, and board-certified dance/movement therapist. Her choreography is grounded in ideas of hybridity and intercultural experiences reflective of her identity as a Taiwanese-American raised in the Midwest. Alisha has presented her work at the Asia Pacific Dance Festival (Honolulu, HI), RADFest (Kalamazoo, MI), Cleveland Dance Festival (Cleveland, OH), OhioDance Festival (Columbus, OH), Hamlin Park Theater (Chicago, IL), and DanceLAB MKE (Milwaukee, WI). She has created choreography for students at Denison University and The Ohio State University. Alisha is a 2026 recipient of the Individual Excellence Award in Choreography from the Ohio Arts Council.

As a performer, Alisha is currently a collaborator with Benjamin Roach (Columbus, OH) and has performed as a company member with Wild Space Dance Company (Milwaukee, WI), and Danceworks Performance MKE (Milwaukee, WI). She has danced in works by Abby Zbikowski, Momar Ndiaye, Jade Charon, Alexandra Beller, and stilgo dance + tech.

Alisha has taught at Denison University and teaches dance for memory care with Perennial Movement Group. Alisha was a Fulbright Fellow in Taiwan researching cross-cultural approaches in dance/movement therapy. Currently based in Columbus, OH, she holds degrees from St. Olaf College, Columbia College Chicago, and a MFA in Dance from The Ohio State University.

Designed for adults just starting dance, those returning to dance, and seasoned dancers alike, this class incorporates modern dance techniques, yoga, and release techniques to promote healthy moving and freedom of expression. We will explore ways to yield, push, expand, contract, and spiral in the body through floorwork and combinations that develop coordination and musicality, as well as strength and flexibility.

Using props, stories, and imaginative games, dancers will learn the foundations of dance and master gross motor skills such as marching, balancing, hopping, rolling, and more! This class offers choices to help your child discover independent expression, and encourages cooperation with classmates to create simple dances.

Expect for your child to:
• Build self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Improve strength and coordination
• Practice self-regulation skills, and social emotional skills
• Increase attention span and self-control
• Expand vocabulary to describe their movements

Come explore modern and contemporary dance forms with our professional company!

Open to advanced movers.

**Drop-ins only

Rooted in African dance, ballet, and theater techniques, our Beginner Jazz class is an upbeat class focused on rhythm, body isolations, and moving with precision in relation to the music. Students will develop strength, mobility and musicality in a fun and inclusive environment.