There is something particular about the way a dancer sees Kansas City Ballet. Not just as an audience member, but as someone who has felt the weight of pointe shoes after a long rehearsal, navigated the vulnerability of a costume that doesn’t quite fit, and leaned on an organization during the hardest stretch of a career.
Lisa Choules knows that feeling well.
A former Kansas City Ballet dancer turned dancewear entrepreneur, Lisa has spent years finding meaningful ways to give back to the organization that shaped her: as a Bolender Society member, a supporter of the Second Company and most recently as a sponsor of BARRE KC’s annual Soirée.
Nine Seasons That Shaped a Life
Lisa’s connection to Kansas City Ballet runs deep. After early career stops with Ballet West, L.A. Classical Ballet, and Utah Regional Ballet, she joined Kansas City Ballet under the direction of former Artistic Director William Whitener and quickly fell in love with both the company and the city. “I was thrilled when I got to Kansas City Ballet because of the repertoire,” she recalls. “Ballet West had been mostly full-length classical ballets, but Kansas City Ballet was more diverse, including not only Balanchine and Tharp, but also a range of modern and contemporary choreographers. I matured into a seasoned artist here, growing into my confidence and a deeper understanding of who I was as a dancer.”
That growth was tested when a significant injury threatened to sideline her career. Kansas City Ballet’s unwavering support during her long recovery left a lasting impression. “They didn’t give up on me,” she says simply. It’s a debt she has never forgotten, and one she repays every time she invests in the organization and the dancers who now call it home.
Born from Frustration, Built for Dancers
After retiring from the stage at 37, Lisa channeled her creativity and her dancer’s instincts into a new venture: Elevé Dancewear. The idea was deeply personal. At 5’8” with a longer torso, finding a well-fitting leotard had always been a challenge, one that became more complex after having children. “Rehearsal clothing should never add to a dancer’s insecurities,” she says. “You have enough to think about with the choreography and the performance. Your dancewear shouldn’t be one more thing.” So she made her own, and Elevé was born.
What started in her basement has grown into an internationally recognized dancewear company that offers custom styles and Ready-to-Wear pieces with endless fabric options. Her support for Kansas City Ballet School (KCBS) students, providing uniforms at a discount with the logo sewn in-house, is a natural extension of that founding philosophy. So is her gift toward pointe shoes for the Second Company’s dancers. “That’s super easy,” she says with a laugh. “I remember my own experience. Pointe shoes are expensive, and those dancers are giving everything: performances, rehearsals, classes, and community outreach. I want to help them.”
Investing in the Next Generation
Kansas City Ballet’s Second Company holds a special place in Lisa’s heart. These dancers are at a pivotal and often precarious moment in their careers: late teens and early twenties, training and performing at a near-professional level, without the guarantee of a company contract waiting at the end. Not everyone has a family safety net to fall back on.
“They’re there every day giving it their all,” Lisa says. “And they’re not guaranteed a job at the end of it. I don’t want them to feel deflated by financial challenges on top of everything else.” Her sponsorship of BARRE KC’s Soirée, the young professionals group that champions the next generation of Kansas City Ballet advocates, reflects the same spirit. Being part of these events is simply another way to stay connected to her community. “They’re my people. We’ve had similar experiences. We can relate to each other.”
An Invitation to Others
For those who love dance but aren’t sure how to get involved, Lisa’s advice is refreshingly simple: start by showing up. “Going to the Ballet is supporting it,” she says. “Getting out and purchasing tickets is important.” She speaks warmly about how her husband loved Swan Lake so much that he joined her a second time to see a different cast. “Make it a date night. Make it a family outing or bring friends. The more people who experience it, the more we can keep this art form thriving.”
Lisa’s generosity as a Bolender Society member is a testament to what it looks like when someone truly loves an organization: not just for what it gave them, but for what it continues to give to others. To learn more about supporting Kansas City Ballet, contact Chief Philanthropy Officer Kristin Castle at 816.216.5585 or kcastle@kcballet.org.
Header image: Lisa Choules in front of a “leotard wall” inside her Elevé Dancewear offices. Photo courtesy of Lisa Choules.
