The 17^th Annual Fire This Time Festival breaks ground this winter at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria!  Don’t miss the incredible lineup of six world-premiere 10-minute plays cover a range from the humorous to moving, pointed, and political, all directed by preeminent director and creator, Ken-Matt Martin.  

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“To bring The Fire This Time Festival to The Apollo is to root our work in the very heart of Black artistic excellence. The Apollo has always been a beacon for voices that define culture and truth. This partnership allows us to continue nurturing the playwrights and storytellers who are illuminating our world in powerful new ways.”

Kelley Girod, Founder of The Fire This Time Festival and Apollo New Works Director.  

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PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

• Friday, January 23 @ 7:30pm (Preview Performance)
• Saturday, January 24 @ 2:30pm (Opening followed by post-show discussion)
• Saturday, January 24 @ 7:30pm
• Friday, January 30 @ 7:30pm
• Saturday, January 31 @ 2:30pm
• Saturday, January 31 @ 7:30pm (Closing Night)

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ABOUT THE FIRE THIS TIME FESTIVAL:

Founded in 2009 by playwright and Apollo’s Director of New Works, Kelley Nicole Girod, The Fire This Time Festival provides a platform for early career playwrights of African and African American descent. Since its founding, the Festival has produced the plays of dozens of emerging writers whose works explore a wide range of themes and perspectives. The Festival also supports actors, directors, and technical personnel to help seed the pipeline with diverse talent and amplify underrepresented voices in theater in New York and beyond. The Fire This Time playwrights have gone on to have their plays produced in cities across the United States and work as writers in film and television. The Fire This Time Festival has evolved into an annual January event and continues to grow, expanding upon its core short play presentations to offer panel discussions, staged readings, a playwright’s lab and other programs. The Festival has become a destination for diverse audiences, producers, and artists seeking new possibilities and opportunities in contemporary theater.

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Culture In Motion™ is a roadshow experience that meets people exactly where they are—igniting creativity, amplifying voices, and boosting the spaces it touches. From live performances and Apollo-style showcases to SUPERCHARGED® empowerment experiences, Culture In Motion blends heritage, innovation, and community connection into an on-the-move experience designed to spark creativity and strengthen community everywhere it goes.

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Culture In Motion Roadshow kicks off in Los Angeles at The Beehive, where we’ll host the world’s longest running talent competition. We’re bringing Amateur Night auditions, presented by Coca-Cola, and looking for the best singers, dancers and instrumentalists to join us at The Beehive. Top selected contestants will receive a Coca-Cola swag bag. The top musician will also receive a career opportunity to work with music engineers, writers, and producers at the Coke Studio at L.A. Live to hone their craft. Anticipated timing for Coke Studios career opportunity will be between April - June 2026, with exact date and timing to be determined by Coke Studios.

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Don’t miss your chance to shoot your shot in the talent competition that launched the careers of stars like Ella Fitzgerald, D’Angelo, Jazmine Sullivan, H.E.R, and more! Signup now for your Amateur Night audition spot.*

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*Due to the ongoing Historic Theater renovation, performance in New York is not guaranteed for finalists.

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Auditions are part of a free, family-friendly, block party–style community experience bringing together music, storytelling, youth engagement, and creative access. If you don't want to audition but join us at The Beehive LA for a full day to connect, create, and celebrate culture together, go to the
‍LA – Community Boost Block Party registration page.

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Featuring ONIKA MCLEAN, MARK SIMMONS, STEPHON RAICKETT

HOSTED BY MUGGA

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Jumpstart your weekend with a fun night of laughter, drinks, and tasty bites with the best up and coming talent in comedy today. Curated by Bob Sumner (legendary producer of Def Comedy Jam, creator of Laff Mobb on Aspire), The Apollo Comedy Club presents a night of comedic sets that will have you rolling in laughter.  

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Perfect for date night, or a night out with friends, don’t miss your chance to heat up your Thursday with the hottest ticket in Harlem. Doors open at 9pm; Showtime is 10pm.

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There is a $10 food/beverage minimum.  

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Apollo Comedy Club is part of The Apollo’s Winter/Spring 2026 season.  

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Singer, songwriter, pianist, and historian Nia Drummond moves fluidly through opera, jazz, soul, gospel, and spirituals — genres that form the living archive of Black musical expression. In this month of Black History and Love, join Nia for an evening of music that lives at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. 

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The Essence of Lace is the debut fashion viewing of the Christopher Reavley Collection, presenting a 30-piece women's luxury ready-to-wear collection crafted with precision, elegance, and modern femininity. This immersive experience celebrates the timeless romance of lace while reimagining it through contemporary silhouettes, elevated tailoring, and refined textures.

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Featuring JOEY B., KHRISTIN Y.S.F. BROOKS, COMEDIAN BUDDY LOVE

‍HOSTED BY DREW FRASER

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Jumpstart your weekend with a fun night of laughter, drinks, and tasty bites with the best up and coming talent in comedy today. Curated by Bob Sumner (legendary producer of Def Comedy Jam, creator of Laff Mobb on Aspire), The Apollo Comedy Club presents a night of comedic sets that will have you rolling in laughter.  

‍

Perfect for date night, or a night out with friends, don’t miss your chance to heat up your Thursday with the hottest ticket in Harlem. Doors open at 9pm; Showtime is 10pm.

‍

There is a $10 food/beverage minimum.  

‍

Apollo Comedy Club is part of The Apollo’s Winter/Spring 2026 season.  

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