A NOTE FROM CHELSEY

I never set out to be a choreographer.

Looking back, I was always doing it — making up dances in the living room, building combinations for class, telling people where to go before I had a word for any of it. Usually to the Spice Girls, or Rent… it took the industry calling before I understood that the thing I'd done my whole life was the work.

What I do is simple to say and hard to explain: I tell stories through people's bodies. I fill in what isn't on the page and lift what is, like a Madlib. My job is to make a world feel whole — its own universe, with its own logic, rules and own breath. My goal always is when you watch, you can't see the seams but you feel something, and you're not quite sure why. You’re moved.

I’m curious about feelings and how and why humans move. This industry can be loud, political, and glide on the surface. I'd rather be the still, grounded center of it — the person who makes the room safe enough to be brave, and the story true enough to last.

To the artists who take real risks with their work: those are my people. I want to build things with you that leave an audience feeling something they didn't have language for — and send them home changed.

And to the little girl making up dances in her living room: keep going. You already know how to do this. You just don't have the words for it yet.

Thank you for being here. I can't wait to create something that lives in the depths of truth, and the beauty of emotion.

— Chelsey

Official Bio

Chelsey Arce (she/her) is an award-winning BIPOC Movement Director and Choreographer based in NYC. 

Combining her training and knowledge as a classical dancer, competitive gymnast, and actor, she bridges the communication gap between directors and artists of all kinds, from acrobats to Shakespearean actors. She has cultivated a language that supports a creative experience for the entire room - bringing storytelling to the forefront. 

Whether a film, music video, fashion week runway, or Broadway show, she creates a unique world. Each project is its own universe, energy, and vibe. Chelsey creates consistency in how the world looks, lives, and breathes — especially how people move through it.

Current shows: Wanted (Original Broadway Production) and Tony Award winning shows Harry Potter and The Cursed Child and Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Learn more at ChelseyArce.com.

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Selected Credits
Before establishing herself as a Movement Director and Choreographer, Chelsey Arce sustained an extensive performing career across musical theater, commercial, and classical dance.

Before establishing herself as a Movement Director and Choreographer, Chelsey Arce sustained an extensive performing career across musical theater, commercial, and classical dance.

Over the course of her performing career she danced alongside artists including Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Nicola Roberts, and Migos.

Over the course of her performing career she danced alongside artists including Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Nicola Roberts, and Migos.

She is an alumnus of Mercy High School in Connecticut and received her B.F.A. in Dance Performance from the Boston Conservatory.

She is an alumnus of Mercy High School in Connecticut and received her B.F.A. in Dance Performance from the Boston Conservatory.

She performed in The First National Tour of the Tony Award–winning musical MEMPHIS.

She performed in The First National Tour of the Tony Award–winning musical MEMPHIS.

Chelsey made her Broadway debut at the Lyric on the Original Broadway Company of Cirque du Soleil's PARAMOUR.

Chelsey made her Broadway debut at the Lyric on the Original Broadway Company of Cirque du Soleil's PARAMOUR.

A storybook dream: she danced through 50 Italian cities with the EZRALOW DANCE.

A storybook dream: she danced through 50 Italian cities with the EZRALOW DANCE.

She appeared onscreen for the KENNEDY CENTER HONORS: RITA MORENO.

She appeared onscreen for the KENNEDY CENTER HONORS: RITA MORENO.

She studied and became a registered yoga teacher to deepen her knowledge of the body.

She studied and became a registered yoga teacher to deepen her knowledge of the body.

Serving as Assistant Dance Captain in LOVE NEVER DIES was so special to Chelsey because PHANTOM was one of the first Broadway shows she saw in NYC.

Serving as Assistant Dance Captain in LOVE NEVER DIES was so special to Chelsey because PHANTOM was one of the first Broadway shows she saw in NYC.

She became the Associate Movement Director on both the Broadway and U.S. National Touring companies of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD.

She became the Associate Movement Director on both the Broadway and U.S. National Touring companies of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD.

HENRY 6: Chelsey's first Shakespeare piece, and her first time as lead Choreographer on any show.

HENRY 6: Chelsey's first Shakespeare piece, and her first time as lead Choreographer on any show.

Joining Steven Hoggett on the Creative Team of SWEENEY TODD was a definitive turning point, solidifying a permanent career pivot from Performer to Choreographer.

Joining Steven Hoggett on the Creative Team of SWEENEY TODD was a definitive turning point, solidifying a permanent career pivot from Performer to Choreographer.

Chelsey slayed onsite solo as the Co-Director and Choreographer of the Season 14 Finale of GERMANY'S NEXT TOP MODEL.

Chelsey slayed onsite solo as the Co-Director and Choreographer of the Season 14 Finale of GERMANY'S NEXT TOP MODEL.

In 2014, Chelsey served as Assistant Choreographer on the Opening Ceremony of the WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES in Sochi.

In 2014, Chelsey served as Assistant Choreographer on the Opening Ceremony of the WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES in Sochi.

CARMEN at The Metropolitan Opera: This was one of Chelsey's biggest projects— and a total bucket list moment!

CARMEN at The Metropolitan Opera: This was one of Chelsey's biggest projects— and a total bucket list moment!

Bringing movement into a very straight play (HEDDA GABLER starring Katie Holmes) meant pushing everyone's boundaries.

Bringing movement into a very straight play (HEDDA GABLER starring Katie Holmes) meant pushing everyone's boundaries.

More recently, she was associate movement director of ANNA CHRISTIE, starring Michelle Williams, at St. Ann's Warehouse.

More recently, she was associate movement director of ANNA CHRISTIE, starring Michelle Williams, at St. Ann's Warehouse.

She went on to become Assistant-Director and Choreographer (Sergio Trujillo) for Cirque du Soleil's PARAMOUR in Hamburg and served as Resident Artistic Director on Cirque's 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE...

She went on to become Assistant-Director and Choreographer (Sergio Trujillo) for Cirque du Soleil's PARAMOUR in Hamburg and served as Resident Artistic Director on Cirque's 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE...

BARTLEBY at The Old Globe: one of Chelsey's proudest pieces of work as a Choreographer and Movement Director.

BARTLEBY at The Old Globe: one of Chelsey's proudest pieces of work as a Choreographer and Movement Director.

In 2026, she joined the team of the Tony Award winning revival CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL as Associate Choreographer.

In 2026, she joined the team of the Tony Award winning revival CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL as Associate Choreographer.

Between jobs, Chelsey enjoys teaching the next generation of theatre artists through partnerships with Steps on Broadway, Joffrey Ballet School, and more.

Between jobs, Chelsey enjoys teaching the next generation of theatre artists through partnerships with Steps on Broadway, Joffrey Ballet School, and more.

In Fall 2026, Chelsey makes her Broadway Choreographer Debut with WANTED at the James Earl Jones Theatre.

In Fall 2026, Chelsey makes her Broadway Choreographer Debut with WANTED at the James Earl Jones Theatre.

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