Teen Programs Career Panels
Career Panels
Career Panels at the Apollo feature interviews and panel discussions with performing arts, entertainment industry, and media professionals. Events are free, open to the public, and take place on-site at The Apollo Theater.
PAST EVENTS
BEHIND THE SCENES: WOMEN IN THEATRE
Panel discussion
Monday, March 12, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Apollo Theater Education Program, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, The Broadway League and the League of Professional Theatre Women presented a free panel discussion, which focused on women’s careers in the theatrical industry. The panel featured some of the most distinguished women in theater who work in the areas of sound design, casting, producing, choreography and music. The panelists offered career advice and shared personal accounts of their unique experiences working in this highly creative and competitive industry.
The panel was presented as a part of the "Made in NY" Industry Series, a series of free discussions providing New Yorkers with an inside look at the media and entertainment industry. The panel was also part of The Apollo Celebrates Broadway, presented in partnership with the City of New York Theater Subdistrict Council. The series also includes a Broadway-themed Amateur Night and Apollo Music Café featuring stars Leslie Uggams, Lillias White, and Chester Gregory.
Panelists included:
CARIN FORD – sound engineer (Carrie the Musical; La Cage aux Folles)
STEPHANIE KLAPPER – casting (Dividing the Estate; Bells Are Ringing)
MARI NAKACHI – producer (Time Stands Still; Dinner with Friends)
WENDY SEYB – choreographer (The Pee Wee Herman Show on Broadway and HBO;
The Toxic Avenger)
LINDA TWINE – music director, conductor (The Color Purple; Caroline, or Change)
The panel was moderated by Amanda Pekoe, a marketing and advertising executive who founded the Pekoe Group, a full-service boutique company that creates inventive marketing strategies and media solutions for its clients. She received both her BFA in Theatre and MFA in Performing Arts Management from Brooklyn College.
REAL STORIES ON STAGE
Career Seminar
Monday, March 12, 2012 at 4:45pm
A seminar for emerging playwrights interested in dramatizing factual events and personal histories. Click here for more information and to watch a slideshow of highlights from the event.
BEHIND THE SCENES: MUSIC ON STAGE & SCREEN
Panel Discussion
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
The Apollo Theater Education Program, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers presented a free panel discussion featuring notable music professionals.
The panel included:
KIMBERLY GRIGSBY– music director, conductor (Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Spring Awakening, The Light in the Piazza)
ROSENA M. HILL – concert soloist; actress/singer (The Color Purple, Spamalot, Oklahoma)
DIEDRE L. MURRAY– composer; jazz instrumentalist; musical adaptor (The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Best of Both Worlds, The Voice Within)
GLENN SLATER– lyricist (Sister Act, The Little Mermaid, Love Never Dies)
ANTWAN "AMADEUS" THOMPSON – CEO, Platinum Boy Music; record producer, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ The Hitmen production team
The panel was moderated by Alan Simon, founder of On Location Education, and co-author of The Young Performer’s Guide: How to Break into Show Business.
Watch the slide show and listen to the podcast.
WOMEN IN FILM
Breaking Barriers
Monday, March 28, 2011
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Apollo Theater Education Program and New York Women in Film & Television presented a compelling look at what it takes to succeed as a woman working behind the scenes in the film industry.
The panelists — who work in various roles behind the camera, including producing, financing and directing — gave career advice and shared accounts from their unique experiences working on the business side of this highly creative industry.
The panel included:
LISA CORTES – producer (Precious, The Woodsman, Shadowboxer and Tennessee)
EILEEN NEWMAN – managing director, Tribeca Film Institute
DANA OFFENBACH – producer (Mooz-lum) partner CinemaStreet LLC.
FRIDA TORRESBLANCO – producer (Pan’s Labyrinth, Rudo y Cursi)
Discussion moderated by Michela angela Davis, celebrated cultural critic.
Promoting your Independent Film Seminar facilitated by Moigantsi Kgama of ImageNation.
CAREERS ON AND OFF-BROADWAY
Behind the Scenes
Monday, November 8, 2010
The Apollo Theater Education Program, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, and the Broadway league presented a captivating panel composed of theater professionals who have had successful careers working on Broadway and in other theatrical venues.
The panelists shared their career experiences and highlighted the importance of resiliency for success in an industry full of rejection. In addition, they gave advice on how best to get started in the City’s thriving production industry.
The panel included:
KEVIN ADAMS – lighting designer (American Idiot, Spring Awakening)
MARION J. CAFFEY – writer, director, choreographer (3 Mo’ Divas, Three Mo’ Tenors)
MICKI GRANT – composer/lyricist, playwright (Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope; Your Arms Too Short to Box with God)
ANN HOULD-WARD – costume designer (A Free Man of Color, Beauty and the Beast)
RUTHLYN SALOMONS – associate choreographer (The Lion King, The Color Purple)
KENNY SEYMOUR – conductor/musical director (Memphis)
Discussion moderated by Roma Torre, NY1 Anchor and Theater Critic.
Read more about this event.
WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT
Behind the Scenes
Monday, March 22, 2010
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Apollo Theater Education Program, the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting and New York Women in Film and Television presented a panel featuring women who work behind the scenes in film, television, and theater in New York City.
The panelists shared accounts about their unique experiences working in the industry and discussed how they learned from both obstacles and accomplishments along their individual paths to success.
The panel included:
NICOLE FRANKLIN – stage manager, (“The Today Show”) editor,( NBC’s “Nightly News”)
AMY SEWELL – producer, (Mad Hot Ballroom) director, (What’s Your Point, Honey?)
WINSOME SINCLAIR – casting director, (Malcolm X, Inside Man, Precious)
MICHELE STECKLER – senior vice president/senior producer, Disney Theatrical Group (Mary Poppins, The Lion King)
Discussion moderated by Nancy Giles, Contributor CBS News.
Read more about this event.
MAKE YOUR MUSIC MOVE
Careers in the Music Business
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Apollo Theater Education Program presented an informative panel discussion addressing the opportunities and obstacles facing those interested in careers in the music industry.
The panel included:
CHERYL BRIGGS – former manager and producer of Faith Evans
WAYNE COBHAM – musician, producer and founder of the Cobham Coalition
RAY CHEW – musical director, composer and producer
VIVIAN SCOTT CHEW – founder of ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards
SHANTI DAS – music industry executive
NONA HENDRYX – musician, songwriter and producer
JONELLE PROCOPE – president and CEO of the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc.
Discussion moderated by Thembisa Mshaka, author of Put Your Dreams First Handle Your [Entertainment] Business.
CAREERS IN ENTERTAINMENT
African American Perspectives
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Apollo Theater Education Program, the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting, and Screen Actor’s Guild presented an insightful discussion delving into the evolving landscape of opportunities available to African-Americans in the industry.
The panelists, all prominent members of the African American entertainment community, shared first-hand accounts of how they got started in their careers and how they view the changing landscape of opportunities available to the African American entertainment community
The panel included:
NANCY GILES – contributor (CBS News Sunday Morning), actress (Joshua, “Law & Order”)
AMANI MARTIN – director of production(HBO Sports), Director/Producer (“Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel”)
DARYL MITCHELL – actor (“Ed,” Galaxy Quest)
LANCE REDDICK – actor (“Fringe,” “The Wire”)
TAMARA TUNIE – actor (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), producer (Spring Awakening)
EAMONN WALKER – actor (“Kings,” “Oz”)
Discussion moderated by Commissioner Katherine Oliver.
Read more about this event.
BEHIND THE GROOVE
Careers in the Music Industry
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
In celebration of Black Music Month, the Apollo Theater Education Program presented a panel discussion that delved into how changes in the music industry have affected careers and approaches to business for artists, producers, managers, executives and listeners.
The panel included:
JOI BROWN PITTS – music marketing industry executive
RAY CHEW – musical director, composer and producer
CHUCK CREEKMUR – co-founder and CEO, AllHipHop.com
BEN HERSON – founder/president Nomadic WaxRecords, executive producer (Africa Underground)
STACY LYNCH – attorney and co-owner/producer, The Mixtape Awards
AMANDA MCINTYRE-CHAVIS – licensing for EMI North America, CEO of Musaic Management Group LLC.
VERNON REID – founding member of legendary rock group Living Colour and co-founder of the Black Rock Coalition
Discussion moderated by Harry Allen activist, journalist, founder Rhythm Cultural Institute.
ON AIR
Careers in Radio Broadcasting
Saturday, April 5, 2008
The Apollo Theater Education Program and the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting presented a panel exploring career opportunities in radio.
The panel discussion preceded a special Career Day workshop for teens with WNYC’s Radio Rookies.
The panel included:
MITCH TODD – senior director of production, music and marketing Sirius XM Radio
TEDDY ZAMBETTI – senior director music production, in-house composer Sirius XM Radio
MAXIE JACKSON – former senior director of program development WNYC
ROSE CRICHTON – marketing & promotions director Emmis Communications
ANGELA HARDEN – general manager WHCR-FM
DAVID PLOTKIN – production director 1010 WINS
JILL STRADA – former music director and assistant program director HOT 97
DOM NERO – creative/imaging director HOT 97
HELEN LITTLE – on air host mid-day LITE-FM formerly program director POWER 105.1 FM
DEON LIVINING – general manager WBLS
Discussion moderated by Commissioner Katherine Oliver.
Read more about this event.
SESAME STREET
Made in NY
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Apollo Theater Education Program and the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting presented a panel discussion featuring the creative team behind television’s longest running children’s program. The team discussed their experiences producing “Sesame Street” in New York City.
“Sesame Street: Made in NY” provided students and interested New Yorkers with first-hand accounts of what goes into creating the beloved children’s series including the development of the series’ educational curriculum and the secrets to forty years of success.
The panel included:
CAROL-LYNN PARENTE – executive producer, Emmy-award winner
DR. ROSEMARIE TRUGLIO – vice president of Education and Research
JOEY MAZZARINO – Emmy-winning writer, puppeteer, director
KEVIN CLASH – performer for Elmo, Emmy-winning performer, producer and director
SONIA MANZANO – performer for Maria, Emmy-winning writer
Discussion moderated by Commissioner Katherine Oliver.
Read more about this event.
AUGUST RUSH
Behind the Scenes
Monday, November 12, 2007
This panel discussion featured the creative team behind the Warner Bros. film, August Rush, Academy Award nominee Director Kirsten Sheridan, along with other members of the production team, spoke to students about working in the entertainment industry.
The panel included:
KRISTEN SHERIDAN – director (Disco Pigs, August Rush), screenwriter (In America)
RICHARD LEWIS – producer (Things We Lost In The Fire, Brooklyn Rules)
MARK MANCINA – composer (Shooter, Training Day)
JOHN DAVIS – storyboard artist (The Departed, Just My Luck)
Discussion moderated by Commissioner Katherine Oliver.
Read more about this event.
CAREERS IN TELEVISION PRODUCTION
Paths to Opportunity
Thursday, April 28, 2007
The seminar began with an interview of “MTV News” correspondent Sway, who shared his personal experience working in New York City's television entertainment industry. A panel discussion with several professionals who represented different sectors of the entertainment production industry followed.
The panel included:
DARLISE BLOUNT – associate producer (“106 & Park”)
MELANIE BYRD – production manager, Food Network
RICHARD MARTIN – founder Drum TV
DAVID PUENTE – creator/anchor (“Exclusiva”) - ABC News Now
YVETTE VEGA – executive producer (“The Charlie Rose Show”)
Discussion moderated by Commissioner Katherine Oliver.
Read more about this event.
CAREERS IN ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION
Paths to Opportunity
Saturday, October 28, 2006
The Apollo Theater Education Program, the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting, and the Center for Communication presented the first in a series of events designed to educate New Yorkers with diverse backgrounds about careers in entertainment production. Industry insiders spoke to students and aspiring filmmakers about breaking into and working in New York City’s entertainment industry.
The panel included:
SHARI CARPENTER – script supervisor (Clockers, Inside Man) writer, producer, director of (Kali’s Vibe, Building Girl)
WARRINGTON HUDLIN –producer (House Party,Boomerang)president of the Black Filmmaker Foundation
JONO OLIVER – first assistant director ("Love Monkey", Brown Sugar)
MONTY ROSS – producer (Clockers,Mo’ Better Blues)
WINSOME SINCLAIR – casting director (Inside Man, She Hate Me)
BILL TOLES – composer ("American Masters")
RICHARD WILLIS – CEO & Executive Producer, Mozell Entertainment Group
Discussion moderated by Commissioner Katherine Oliver.
Read more about this event.
The Apollo Theater is grateful to The Coca-Cola Foundation and The Neuberger Berman Foundation whose major support helps to make possible our Education Programs.
Education support is also provided by: JPMorgan Chase & Co., The Hearst Foundations, The Pinkerton Foundation, Administaff, and the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, Inc.