A Letter from Jonelle Procope
Apollo Theater President & CEO
Dear Friends,
As we continue into 2021 with renewed hope and exciting plans, I’m thrilled to share the Apollo Theater’s virtual Spring season line-up. Although we will be gathering virtually this season, we are committed to providing opportunities for joy, reflection and entertainment during these turbulent times. As many of you know, the Apollo Digital Stage has been a first for our institution, and we’re incredibly grateful to the artists who presented their work with us and to you, our generous Apollo audience members, who have tuned in—whether as a regular or for the first time. Though our Theater remains dark for in-person performances, we’re thankful we can still convene the Apollo family in new and exciting ways. We will continue offering digital programs until we can come together again on 125th Street.
Kicking off our virtual spring season on Saturday, February 27 Apollo Film and Screen/Play Presents: 30 Years of House Party, an evening featuring a conversation with the film’s stars, Kid ‘N Play—Christopher “Kid” Reid, Christopher “Play” Martin—and director Reginald Hudlin, performances by legendary hip-hop group Full Force, Lisa Lisa and other surprise guests and highlights from the cult musical comedies House Party (1990) and House Party 2 (1991).
In March we will honor Women’s History Month with our bi-annual WOW (Women of the World) Festival presented in partnership with the WOW Foundation. This year’s theme “Black Women Transcending” will feature more than 80 thought leaders, scholars, and artists over two days of panels, workshops, and performances. Throughout the season we will also bring Roc Nation’s Infinity Song to the stage of our Apollo Music Café and offer a range of Apollo Education events for families and audiences of all ages, including a career panel, Footprint – Design and Creativity in Sneaker Culture, an exploration of the cultural, societal, and aesthetic impact of the fashion industry behemoth: the sneaker. For the full roster of Apollo events this spring, please visit our website here.
This season’s transformative programming would not be possible without Apollo Theater’s Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes, so please join me in congratulating Kamilah on her NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Direction for Between the World and Me. It’s truly well deserved. There is still time to see this impactful work, it is streaming for free here: hbo.com/watch-free-episodes.
In many ways, it feels like the dawn of a new day—we are enthusiastically looking forward to an exciting season, and watching closely as vaccines are being rolled out, eagerly anticipating having you back safely at the Apollo. It goes without saying that arts organizations around the country face a difficult road ahead, and we’re incredibly grateful to the foundations and generous individuals who have supported the Apollo over the past year. For those who are able, we hope you’ll consider supporting the Apollo Theater’s upcoming season and future, by making a donation here.
Best wishes,
Jonelle Procope
President CEO
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