Through mentorship, performance, and community, WRT empowers dancers to rise, thrive, and inspire future generations.
Through mentorship, performance, and community, WRT empowers dancers to rise, thrive, and inspire future generations.
Monday, 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Tuesday, 9:00am - 11:00am
Founded in 2006 by acclaimed choreographer and mentor David Thomas, We Run This: The Collective (WRT) is the resident hip-hop dance company of The New York Performing Arts Academy. Operating under the nonprofit umbrella of The MusicSquared Foundation, WRT is more than a performance group—it is a movement dedicated to creating opportunities for underserved and underrepresented dancers.
The company is made up entirely of minority artists, late teens through their twenties, many from underserved communities across New York. For these young performers, WRT is more than a stage: it is a lifeline of mentorship, education, and career development. Members train in advanced choreography, performance cultivation, and creative concept building, but they also gain essential life skills—discipline, confidence, teamwork, and the resilience needed to succeed in both the arts and beyond.
WRT’s dancers regularly compete and perform at festivals and high-profile events, including Prelude Dance Competition and World of Dance, earning acclaim for their artistry and authenticity. Yet behind every performance is a deeper mission: to bridge generations, inspire self-expression, and prove that art can be a path to empowerment.
Your support makes this possible. Donations and sponsorships directly fund travel to competitions, rehearsal space, costumes, and vital resources such as water, towels, and rehearsal supplies. They also fuel mentorship, education, and career pathways that help young artists transition from local stages to professional opportunities.
By investing in We Run This: The Collective, you’re not just supporting a dance company—you’re helping build a future where talent is nurtured, diversity is celebrated, and dreams have room to grow. Together, we can ensure these young artists have the resources they need to thrive and inspire the next generation.
WRT is more than a dance company, it is a movement of young artists who rise above the challenges of underserved communities to share their voice through performance. Every rehearsal, competition, and showcase is an opportunity for these dancers to grow not only as performers but as leaders, mentors, and role models. Their journey is one of resilience and artistry, grounded in the belief that dance can change lives and create pathways to brighter futures.
With your support, WRT can continue to provide mentorship, career opportunities, and vital resources for these talented young dancers. Your generosity fuels their ability to travel, train, and perform on larger stages, ensuring that their artistry reaches the audiences and opportunities they deserve. Together, we can keep their passion alive and help them inspire the next generation of performers.
To use the power of Hip Hop and dance as a platform to inspire, mentor, and elevate minority youth from underserved communities while bridging generational gaps through performance and creative expression.
WRT is made up of late-teen to mid-twenties dancers—all from minority backgrounds—who have grown up in underserved communities across New York City. Each member brings raw passion and resilience, turning obstacles into artistry.
Beyond competitions and performances, WRT provides mentorship, career pathways, and educational support, giving young artists the tools to thrive in the arts and in life. Many alumni go on to professional opportunities in dance, teaching, and creative industries.
With donor support, WRT can travel to national competitions, create dance films, and perform at larger events where dancers gain critical exposure to talent scouts and agencies. Funding also covers essentials like studio space, travel, rehearsal resources, and wellness needs.
As part of The New York Performing Arts Academy under The MusicSquared Foundation, WRT expands access, nurtures talent, and provides a safe, family-oriented foundation for young dancers. Every performance embodies the Academy’s mission to elevate creativity and remove barriers to opportunity.
