Legacy
Leadership
Impact
Lynne Irby Brown, M.Ed
Founder, Artistic Director & Educational Leader
Lynne Irby Brown, M.Ed. is an award-winning educator, director, choreographer, playwright, and arts advocate who founded Prima in 1996. With more than 25 years in teaching and educational leadership, including Teacher of the Year honors and leadership of a pioneering virtual school, she brings rare expertise to youth arts education. Lynne's vision connects conservatory-level training with character, confidence, and leadership, guiding every Prima class, rehearsal, and production.
Honors in Arts & Education
Teacher of the Year Honoree
Choreography Excellence Award Recipient
Directing Excellence Award Recipient
Playwriting Excellence Award Recipient
Thespian Leadership Honor Recipient
Arts Education Leadership Honoree
Community Arts Leadership Award Recipient
Creative Arts Excellence Honoree
Distinguished Service in Arts Education
Training Artists. Developing Leaders. Inspiring Excellence.
Prima’s mission is to provide trauma‑informed, culturally responsive performing arts education that nurtures creativity, confidence, and character. What sets Prima apart is its blend of nearly 30 years of artistic expertise and proven educational leadership, offering students meaningful training, community connection, and transformative production‑based learning experiences.
Our Story In Motion
Prima Collective is a community-based performing arts program in Mobile, founded in 1996 to give young people meaningful opportunities in dance and theatre. Guided by award-winning educator and artistic director Lynne Irby Brown, we blend high-quality training with values-driven guidance so students grow as artists, thinkers, and emerging leaders.
A Welcoming Creative Community
Programs serve children and teens across diverse educational settings, including public, private, charter, homeschool, microschool, and faith-based communities. Through classes, workshops, productions, and partnerships, students develop technique, confidence, and character within a supportive arts family that celebrates every background and honors each child's unique voice.
Highlights Of Our Legacy
Nearly three decades shaping creative, confident young leaders through dance, theatre, and meaningful production experiences.
Legacy Of Excellence
Since 1996 we have nurtured young artists through dance, theatre, and original productions grounded in strong educational practice.
Leadership That Shapes Futures
Under Lynne Brown's award-winning guidance, students gain mentors who understand both classrooms and creative stages.
Community Impact Through Arts
Classes, productions, and partnerships with schools and churches expand arts access and build confident young leaders.