Culture Arts Initiative, Inc.

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Houston, TX
Culture Arts Initiative, Inc.

A 501c3 arts organization (formerly LPAI) founded in 2013. Our mission is to empower, educate, and s

07/09/2026

ONLY 5 PETITE SPOTS LEFT!! We’re almost there! Join us for our 7th Annual Christmas in July Workshop & Auditions as we cast our 8th Annual Houston’s Urban Nutcracker!

Don’t miss your chance to perform in one of Houston’s favorite holiday traditions, make lifelong friends, and train with outstanding Houston-area dance professionals.

🎁 We have a special surprise in store for this year’s cast—and you won’t want to miss it. But first…you have to audition!

📅 Saturday, July 26, 2026
📍 Stafford Centre
👯 Ages 6–Adult | All Skill Levels Welcome

Register today at culturearts.org or click the link in our bio.

⭐ Interested in a leading role?
Leading Cast Auditions are now open by virtual submission! Submit a video audition in the dance style and character of your choice, including:
• Prince
• Clare
• Bluebonnet Queen
• Sugar Plum Fairy
• Nutcracker Dolls
• Mouse Queen

Registration closes soon, and summer is flying by. Don’t miss your opportunity to become part of the magic and the tradition of Houston’s Urban Nutcracker!

07/01/2025

Applications for Culture Arts Initiative’s 2025 Traci Greene Collegiate Dance Scholarship Awards opens today July 1, 2025. Apply at CultureArts.Org/Programs

05/07/2025

Our 2024-2025 Spread My Wings Scholarship Award Winners are headed to in the BIG APPLE 🍎 this summer! Congratulations to our Petite and Junior Houston’s Urban Nutcracker Spread My Wings Scholarship Award Winners!

Destyn Williams
Emerie Davis
Brayden Mitchell
Aria Reynolds

Have a terrific time dancers!! We can’t wait to hear all about your experience in New York City. Special thanks to for partnering with us. 🤎💃🩰☀️
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Culture Arts Initiative, Inc is a 501c3 non profit arts organization that has awarded over $100,000 in dance tuition scholarship awards to underserved and underrepresented dancers throughout the US and we’re not done yet!

We’re excited that new educational programs are on the horizon and grateful for the opportunity ahead to reach a newer and even broader audience in our dance and arts community. Stay tuned! www.culturearts.org

11/29/2024

Meet Guest Choreographer Dwayne Cook!

We’re excited to welcome back our Ballet Master, Dwayne Cook, who has been apart of our Urban Nutcracker family since our inaugural production in 2018!

DWAYNE COOK began dancing at the age of three at The Houston Ballet Academy/J.C. Sanderson Elementary for the Performing Arts. He continued his training at Lamar Fleming Middle School Fine Arts Academy and was accepted into HSPVA. He joined Exclamation Dance Co. in 2006 .Dwayne has also trained at the Ailey School, the School of American Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem,PNB, Complexions and NDT . Dwayne is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma . Dwayne has performed works by world renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, ALVIN AILEY,Ben Stevenson, Matthew Rushing, Dwight Rhoden, William Forsyth , Judith Jamison, Christopher Wheeldon, Robert Battle, Thang Dao , Garrett Smith.He was a principal dancerPhiladanco , METdance. His commercial credits include dancing for Frank Gatson (Beyoncé), Chris Brown, Anthony Burrell, So You Think You Can Dance 8,9,10(Top 30)and Jazmine Sullivan.
His Broadway credits include The Wiz, Kinky Boots and Disney:The Little Mermaid.

Get your tickets before it’s too late! Tickets are on sale now at www.houstonurbannutcracker.org or the Stafford Centre’s box office! 🤎🌲🩰

11/26/2024

Meet the CREW of HOUSTON’s URBAN NUTCRACKER!

Meet THEATRICAL DIRECTOR/PLAYWRIGHT & ACTOR!

Broderick Jones
Character: David Cecil (Clare’s Father)

Broderick “Brod. J” Jones is a gifted actor, director, stage manager, production manager, light and sound designer, playwright, and Founder and Artistic Director of the Talented Tenth Theatre Company. He is a native Houstonian and long-time member of the Houston theatre community. He began performing professionally in high school with the Master Theatre Company. He later furthered his education and training, first at Sam Houston State University then later at Prairie View A&M University. He’s worked with several renowned directors including: Ron Himes-St. Louis Black Rep.; Alley Woods-Ensemble Theatre; Stephen Rayne-Alley Theatre; Marsha Jackson-Randolph-Ensemble Theatre; George Brock-Ensemble Theatre; Shirley Marks Whitmore-Ensemble Theatre; Professor. Robert Simms-Master Theatre Company; Harold J. Haynes-Encore Theatre; Tracey Wheat-Express Theatre; C. Lee Turner-Prarie View A&M University,

Brod. J was a resident actor at the Ensemble Theatre and a principle character in several touring productions by the Master Theatre Company. He has received many accolades including U.I.L., and A.C.T.F. Best actor awards and he is a recipient of the ensemble theatre’s Giorgee Award for best actor. Brod. J can also be seen in the films, Barbershop Blues, Return of the Exile, “ABC’s King of the World (The Muhammad Ali Story) and Pound of Flesh.

He has taught, directed, or written plays for numerous schools and organizations throughout the Houston area including: High School for Visual and Performing Arts; The Ensemble Theatre; Encore Theatre Advanced Acting Class; Prairie View A&M University/ Resident Life; Texas Southern University/ Houston Works Program; University Of Houston Downtown; Houston Works Career Orientation Program; Encore Theatre Summer Acting Workshop; Houston Youth Program For Enrichment. Broderick is the founder and artistic director of Talented Tenth Theatre.

Get your tickets for Houston’s newest family holiday tradition! Tickets are on sale now at www.houstonurbannutcracker.org.

07/18/2023

Culture Arts Initiative would like to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to Flexe for your generous $5000 donation last month in recognition of Juneteenth!! We value your support and are truly grateful. Your generous support has encouraged us to reach even more underrepresented and deserving young artists in our community.

We wish you continued success in all that you do. Thank you for giving and for thinking of CAI! 🤎

02/26/2023

“ A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”
-Marcus Garvey 🌳

Black History ❤️🖤💛💚

Scene: Afro Houston 2022
Photography: Perfect Silhouette

01/24/2023

**REPOST from

THANK YOU HOUSTON for helping us make dreams come! , the producers of Houston’s Urban Nutcracker would like to thank our record high 4400 guests who came to see our show. Thank you to our special guest choreographers, companies, actors, and everyone who dedicated their time and their gift to our passion production. Thank you to HBII and United Ballet Theatre for allowing us the opportunity to showcase your beautiful dancers.

Big Congratulations to our 2022 talented cast. You are exceptional in every way and you make our show the unique and special gem that it is. We look forward to seeing you next holiday season as we countdown to our 6th year and our 5th annual production!

HUN 2022 Pics now Uploading…..🎉

Photography: Perfect Silhouette Photography
Pictured: Kendall Moshay and Emry Amoky*

*Special Guest Emry Amoky appears courtesy of the Houston Ballet II.

01/13/2023

Congratulations to our Founding President, Traci Greene, on receiving the “2023 MLK Servant Leaders Community Impact Award!” Thank you to The Community Of Faith Church for recognizing the efforts of the many servant leaders in out community. 🤎👏🏽

12/18/2022

FINAL SHOW!! 🤎 Get ready!! will be unloading soon!!

Address

Houston, TX
77002

Telephone

(713) 320-5121

Website

http://www.culturearts.org/

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