When the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem paused live performances last March, there were questions about what would happen next. Like many venues, the theater made the transition to virtual performances, drawing audiences from all over the world, but it also considered ways to serve its local community including microgrants for nearby businesses and displaying messages of hope on its marquee. Fatima Jones, the senior director of marketing and communications, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about how the health of the community and the theater are intertwined, and how the pandemic may have a lasting impact on how The Apollo thinks about its programming. You can check out the Apollo Theater at www.apollotheaters.org.
KEYWORDS: community mental health; performing arts; pandemic response
Public Health On Call