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Artistic StatementS
THE NEXT MOVEMENT
Dear Apollo Family,
Over the past several years, our lives have changed in many ways. Faced with a range of challenges, we forged new paths, tried new things, and found new ways to move forward. I am proud to be part of a historic institution that has always met the challenge of advancing our culture forward. The Apollo has built a dynamic platform for the elevation of Black voices and creativity through inspired innovation and a commitment to artistic excellence—forging a powerful legacy of forward movement. This fall we celebrate that ongoing tradition and look to the future with a season titled The Next Movement.
The Next Movement’s vibrant programming is led by trailblazing Black artists and thought leaders. Camille A. Brown and Dancers continue our commitment to dance culture with ink, part of Brown’s canon-building movement trilogy celebrating self-empowerment and resilience—now presented in full for the first time, in partnership with the Joyce Theater and featuring Brown’s final performances as a dancer in this repertory.
Tomorrow, we launch our Arts & Ideas series, its mission is providing resonant access to groundbreaking thinkers and cultural figures. The series kicks off with fashion industry icon Edward Enninful, who, in advance of his coming memoir A Visible Man, discusses his unprecedented career path and role as a champion of inclusivity with renowned Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o. Later in the season, and in recognition of the upcoming 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, multi-platinum artist, philanthropist, and South Bronx native Fat Joe will share intimate stories from his new memoir, The Book of Jose.
Moving forward in our mission to amplify Africa’s rich influence on worldwide contemporary culture, next month Malian musician Oumou Sangaré, in partnership with World Music Institute, makes her Apollo debut—and a rare U.S. appearance—in a one-night-only performance.
Nothing speaks more meaningfully to forward movement than broadening the experiences of young people. Our School Day Live program this fall looks at the origins and history of the blues, with a live orchestra, and following a two-year hiatus, our teaching artists return to meet NYC students in their schools. Because learning is a lifelong process, we invite educators and the public to workshops led by Camille A. Brown & Dancers, and as part of the Apollo’s Live Wire series, we’ll take a deep dive into Hip Hop Style with local choreographers and the Fashion Institute of Technology.
We invite you to discover or revisit Apollo favorites including Amateur Night at the Apollo, the incubator of major talent and one of America’s longest-running events; the Kwanzaa:Regeneration Celebration featuring Abdel R. Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre; the Apollo Music Café; Comedy Club; and community events for all ages.
Our three-year Master Artist in Residence program, inaugurated with Ta-Nehisi Coates and now in its second iteration, supports the creation of new artistic and civic works moving us all towards a diverse 21st century American performing arts canon. The program continues with current resident, Grammy and Emmy-nominated musician/producer Kamasi Washington.
Speaking of next movement, The Apollo will soon expand, welcoming audiences to an exciting new space just down the street. The Apollo’s Victoria, a renovated former movie and vaudeville house, will house two new black-box theaters for a range of Apollo programs, add administrative offices, and offer subsidized rental opportunities for community and non-profit arts organizations. Like all New Yorkers, we couldn’t be happier to have more space!
The Apollo is always in motion, offering illuminating and joyful experiences that center and amplify Black voices. We invite you to experience The Next Movement and join us on our amazing journey forward!
Kamilah Forbes
Executive Producer
• A 99-seat and a 199-seat black box theater, providing space to incubate, collaborate, and workshop new performances.
• Subsidy programs for small and mid-sized, NYC-based cultural organizations to utilize and benefit from professional-level technical equipment and theater rehearsal and performance spaces.
• Administrative offices for The Apollo staff.
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The inaugural Master Artist Residency was supported by the Ford Foundation. The Master Artist Residency program is generously funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Education Programs
The Apollo offers engaging music, dance, and theater instruction while highlighting its rich history and ongoing significance to Harlem and Black culture. Programs are inquiry-based, interactive, and interdisciplinary, and Apollo School Programs connect to national, state, and local arts and academic standards.
Discover more about The Apollo’s workshops and residencies, School Tours, School Day Live performances, distance learning options, and partnerships and special projects.
The Apollo Theater Academy provides opportunities for young adults in the performing arts and entertainment fields through workshops, internships, apprenticeships, and events.
- The Arts Administration Internship explores the impact of arts administration on live and recorded productions at The Apollo, where students develop a concept for the signature summer event, Teen Takeover.
- The Technical Stage Production Internship assigns students to work with members of The Apollo’s production crew, where they gain experience applying technical elements of theater such as lighting design, videography, audio engineering, carpentry, and production design to live and recorded stage productions.
- The Apprenticeship program provides college students and recent graduates with training and mentorship as they work with Apollo staff to design, implement, and produce their own projects and/or events.
With Professional Learning workshops, Apollo Education energizes, inspires, and provides K-12 educators with resources and hands-on activities to connect the arts to classroom curricula, all while meeting educational and arts standards.
Professional Learning workshops are available to educators from all grade levels and disciplines. Workshops are intended to benefit both educators and their students and to provide educators with methods and strategies for teaching and learning through the arts and across disciplines. The Apollo is a NYS-approved provider for Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits.
Apollo Stories is an interactive digital learning hub for high school educators who want to spark critical thinking in the minds of their students. It provides lesson plans, resources, and activities that explore justice, culture, and identity. The inaugural lessons are built around The Apollo’s world premiere stage adaptation of Ta Nehisi-Coates' Between the World and Me.
Geared towards activating and amplifying the voices of high school-aged students, the program gives young people a framework to understand and navigate issues of contemporary America and reflects The Apollo’s commitment to utilizing the arts and humanities to foster conversation centered on the Black experience.
Apollo School Tours highlight the legendary history and performers of The Apollo, and the impact on music and performing arts development. All tours are thematic, inquiry-based, interactive, and use multimedia. They also connect to national, state, and local arts and academic standards. Bring your students to experience the legacy and learn the history of The Apollo!
For questions, please email The Apollo at school.programs@apollotheater.org.
