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The Apollo
  • Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 - Wednesday, June 26, 2019
  • Time: 11:00 pm
  • Location: William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC

The HBO documentary The Apollo, helmed by Oscar- and Emmy-winning director Roger Ross Williams, chronicles the unique history and contemporary legacy of New York City’s landmark Apollo Theater. The feature-length film weaves together archival clips of music, comedy and dance performances; behind-the-scenes verité footage of the team that makes the theater run; and interviews with such artists as Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Pharrell Williams, Common, Patti LaBelle and Smokey Robinson. While uncovering the rich history of the internationally renowned theater that has influenced American music and culture for 85 years, Williams also examines the current state of race in America, following a new multi-media adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ best-selling book Between the World and Me as it comes together on the theater’s grand stage. The Apollo debuts this fall on HBO.  Following the screening, there will be a discussion with producer Lisa Cortes, Apollo Theater executive producer Kamilah Forbes, and theatre historian Billy Mitchell.

Presented in partnership with the March on Washington Film Festival and HBO.

All public programs at the National Archives are free. Reservations are recommended; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program. Use the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Click here for more information on getting to the National Archives and parking.

Live captioning will be available online and in the William G. McGowan Theater. If you require an alternative or additional accommodation for an event (such as a downloadable transcript or a sign language interpreter), please send an email to public.program@nara.gov or call 202.357.5000 in advance.

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