LEADERSHIP
The people behind the work
Lakai Worrell
Artistic Director
Award winning choreographer and director whose work has appeared at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Kings Theater, Yale, and Oberlin. Recipient of the Torch Bearer Award for the Advancement of Black Theater.
Shani M. Worrell
Operations Director
BFA from Towson University, trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Two decades as a professional performer, including an original cast run with The Color Purple's first national tour.
OUR IMPACT
Three years of growth, in numbers
4,504+
Students served
9,023+
Audience members reached
20+
Schools partnered
4
NYC boroughs served
Who we are
Arts In Blue (AIB) is a New York City based nonprofit with roots in Brooklyn, built on a simple belief: every child deserves the chance to discover their gift and share it with the world. Our work comes to life through four program areas: The Studio, Arts Partnerships, Annual Productions, and Community Performances.
How we work
Through our Arts Partnerships, we work with schools to design thoughtful, engaging arts experiences shaped around your community. Whether it's a residency, workshop, or performance, we don't believe in a one size fits all program. We listen, collaborate, and build experiences that feel meaningful to the students and schools we serve.
Why we do it
Across everything we do, our mission is the same: to use the performing arts to inspire, educate, and communicate through joy. Every program we bring to a school is created with that mission in mind.
WHERE WE DO THIS
Four core program areas
Arts Partnerships
For schools & organizations
Residencies, immersion days, exhibitions, and original productions designed around your school community from a single day to a full year.
The Studio
For students & families
Pre-professional dance training for ages 3–18 in Ballet, Modern, Tap, African, Hip Hop, and Jazz. Saturdays in Brownsville, September through June.
Annual Productions
For audiences & schools
Original mainstage theater and in-school presentations that blend dance, music, and storytelling led by Truth Be Told, Black History Is…
Community Performances
For neighborhoods & events
Live performance for festivals, celebrations, houses of worship, and civic gatherings bringing music, dance, and joy right to your event.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Creativity · Professionalism · Community · Joy
Creativity
We make room for discovery, imagination, and original artistic voice.
Professionalism
We arrive prepared, on time, and ready to do excellent work.
Community
We build together — students, families, artists, schools, and neighbors.
Joy
We believe joy is a way of life, and the reason the work lasts.
JOIN US
Whether you're a lifelong artist or stepping into the arts for the first time
Tue–Fri 9am–5pm · Sat 9am–4pm · Brooklyn, New York