Children's Creations
History of Children's Creations
In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.
A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.
Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.
By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.
In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.
What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.
Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.
Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.
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"Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.912998"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.516197"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?><?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Janae's passion for the arts coupled with" name="description"/> <meta content="Children, s, Creations, Grand, Rapids, MI" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Children's Creations"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History of Children's Creations In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Children's Creations"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History of Children's Creations In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.912998"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.516197"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/grand-rapids-mi/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/grand-rapids-mi/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Grand Rapids</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Grand Rapids</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-rhythms-of-life-virtual-rhythm-circle-m3nkbf4dwmp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RHYTHMS-OF-LIFE-VIRTUAL-RHYTHM-CIRCLE">Rhythms of Life: Virtual Rhythm Circle</a></h2> <p class="time">Saturday, Jan 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Online</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/the-basics-for-researching-your-roots-g5n52mxwz2p.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-BASICS-FOR-RESEARCHING-YOUR-ROOTS">The Basics for Researching Your Roots</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Online</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/researching-family-land-to-identify-ancestors-x9n8239kvcj.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RESEARCHING-FAMILY-LAND-TO-IDENTIFY-ANCESTORS">Researching Family Land to Identify Ancestors</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Online</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/grand-rapids-mi/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GRANDRAPIDS-MI">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.912998"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.516197"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Janae's passion for the arts coupled with" name="description"/> <meta content="Children, s, Creations, Grand, Rapids, MI" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Children's Creations"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History of Children's Creations In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Children's Creations"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History of Children's Creations In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.912998"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.516197"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/grand-rapids-mi/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/grand-rapids-mi/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Grand Rapids</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Grand Rapids</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-rhythms-of-life-virtual-rhythm-circle-m3nkbf4dwmp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RHYTHMS-OF-LIFE-VIRTUAL-RHYTHM-CIRCLE">Rhythms of Life: Virtual Rhythm Circle</a></h2> <p class="time">Saturday, Jan 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Online</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/the-basics-for-researching-your-roots-g5n52mxwz2p.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-BASICS-FOR-RESEARCHING-YOUR-ROOTS">The Basics for Researching Your Roots</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Online</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/researching-family-land-to-identify-ancestors-x9n8239kvcj.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RESEARCHING-FAMILY-LAND-TO-IDENTIFY-ANCESTORS">Researching Family Land to Identify Ancestors</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Online</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/grand-rapids-mi/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GRANDRAPIDS-MI">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Children's Creations"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History of Children's Creations In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.912998"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.516197"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Janae's passion for the arts coupled with" name="description"/> <meta content="Children, s, Creations, Grand, Rapids, MI" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Children's Creations"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History of Children's Creations In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Children's Creations"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History of Children's Creations In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.912998"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.516197"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Children's Creations</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>6161 28th Street, Studio 8</div> <div> <span>Grand Rapids</span>, <span>MI</span> <span>49546</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.childrenscreations.org" target="_blank">Children's Creations</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 616-957-9707</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Children%27s+Creations%2C+6161+28th+Street%2C+Studio+8%2C+Grand+Rapids%2C+MI+49546" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History of Children's Creations</p> <p>In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. Janae's passion for the arts coupled with her gifts and creativity, founded Children's Creations in Kentwood, Michigan.</p> <p>A dream to build a company that would facilitate a need for individual expression through the arts for kids was born. Children's Creations began in the La Placita plaza on 44th St. in Kentwood. In the early days Children's Creations offered classes in art, painting, drawing, girl's charm classes, sewing, birthday parties, and theater with a special emphasis on acting.</p> <p>Having no employees at this time, Janae developed all the necessary components and curriculums for all classes associated with Children's Creations. As with any start-up company, business was slow, but the growth was steady. It took some time to educate the public that such a company existed. In June of 1992, Dr. Mary Liekhart, Superintendent of Kentwood Schools visited the studio as one of the first parents to become involved. She enrolled her son and soon began to share with the community the news of this wonderful program. At the end of a six week term, the trained children would perform a major production for the community. This was unheard of and some theater companies even scoffed at the idea, but the parents of the kids wholly supported the program, seeing first-hand the changes in the lives of their children. As the self-esteem in the children began to rise, so did the popularity of Children's Creations. The first production was The Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of students from all over the greater Grand Rapids area including Janae's three sons, Jadon as the Scarecrow, Kurtis as the Mayor and Matthew as the lollipop guild. Janae, being an innovative, do-it-yourself type person, began to design and sew costumes. She recruited her mother to help as there were approximately 30 munchkins enrolled. Janae borrowed a typewriter and typed a letter to all the music teachers in the area schools and invited them to a special matinee performance, which was also a first in the area. With virtually no budget, she borrowed $1000 from a friend with the promise to pay her back as tickets sold for the show. To her great surprise, 3,000 people attended and the show was an overwhelming success.</p> <p>By 1997 Children's Creations had become the theater company for kids and moved to the Cascade Michigan area. In addition to the Cascade studio, The Potter's House Christian School (an inner-city Christian school) solicited Janae and Children's Creations to direct their school play. For fifteen years consecutively she has directed each school production and continues to do so.</p> <p>In 2005 Janae hired her son Kurtis as the business administrator. After careful evaluation it was decided that the demand was changing. Parents and students wanted to be involved in theater more than art classes. That year, Children's Creation became a theater company only. With Kurtis aboard, the company broadened its operational scope and redesigned the studio. The purpose has not changed neither has the care or professional training the children receive.</p> <p>What has changed is the growing demand. In 2008 Children's Creations will expand with an additional facility back to the city where it had its beginnings in Kentwood.</p> <p>Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber of Commerce in Eaton Rapids, Michigan (fifteen minutes south of Lansing, Michigan) contacted Janae and requested a Children's Creations in their city. Children's Creations is now proud to announce that it has produced five shows in that community and is the only theater company in Eaton Rapids.</p> <p>Janae Dean has always loved children. She believes that the most important element to the success in children is opportunity in a safe environment. Children's Creations is effectively that environment.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/grand-rapids-mi/report/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/grand-rapids-mi/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/grand-rapids-mi/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Grand Rapids</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Grand Rapids</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-rhythms-of-life-virtual-rhythm-circle-m3nkbf4dwmp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RHYTHMS-OF-LIFE-VIRTUAL-RHYTHM-CIRCLE">Rhythms of Life: Virtual Rhythm Circle</a></h2> <p class="time">Saturday, Jan 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Online</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/the-basics-for-researching-your-roots-g5n52mxwz2p.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-BASICS-FOR-RESEARCHING-YOUR-ROOTS">The Basics for Researching Your Roots</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Online</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/researching-family-land-to-identify-ancestors-x9n8239kvcj.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RESEARCHING-FAMILY-LAND-TO-IDENTIFY-ANCESTORS">Researching Family Land to Identify Ancestors</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Online</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/grand-rapids-mi/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-GRANDRAPIDS-MI">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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Janae's passion for the arts coupled with" name="description"/> <meta content="Children, s, Creations, Grand, Rapids, MI" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/childrens-creations-grand-rapids-mi.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Children's Creations"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History of Children's Creations In 1992 Janae Dean recognized the need for a children's theater in the community. 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Janae's passion for the arts coupled with"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="42.912998"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.516197"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Grand Rapids </span>' $location = '<a href="/grand-rapids-mi/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Greater Grand Rapids, MI</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/grand-rapids-mi/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="containerx"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu containerx" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/grand-rapids-mi/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/grand-rapids-mi/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/grand-rapids-mi/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/grand-rapids-mi/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/grand-rapids-mi/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/grand-rapids-mi/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/grand-rapids-mi/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/grand-rapids-mi/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/grand-rapids-mi/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/grand-rapids-mi/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/grand-rapids-mi/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/grand-rapids-mi/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/grand-rapids-mi/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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