Supported by the 2021 Creative Capital Award, water riot premieres at the Apollo Theater in New York City on May 16, 2026.

Derek Lee McPhatter’s (2021 Creative Capital Awardee) water riot follows four very different leaders using song to forge a coalition in a near-future cityscape. Featuring four primary performers and a live band, the story explores different perspectives on movement-building as the characters find inspiration in Black Lives Matter, Standing Rock, Occupy Wall Street and other moments of resistance and public protest.

Developed in collaboration with composer Mike Przygoda, water riot carries forward the American tradition of “performance-as-protest,” featuring music rooted in the under-acknowledged legacy of Black voices at the foundation of rock, punk, and experimental music. As the story unfolds, it invites audiences into a collective reflection on climate change, moving from anger, confusion, and despair toward determination, resilience, and hope.

water riot is part of McPhatter’s NightQueen Performance Suite, a series of multi-disciplinary environmental justice works he has developed as a Creative Capital awardee. The concert performances will be presented as part of the Apollo Theater’s New Works Initiative, in association with National Black Theatre and New York Live Arts, with additional support from the New England Foundation for the Arts and Hi-Arts, among others.

Performance Talkback
May 16, 2026, following the 7:30 PM performance

Following the 7:30 PM performance, join artist Derek Lee McPhatter in conversation with Christine Kuan, President & Executive Director, Creative Capital Foundation, and Jonathan McCrory, Executive Artistic Director of National Black Theatre.

The talkback will explore McPhatter’s work, the process of developing new performance, and the vital role of organizations like Creative Capital, National Black Theatre, and the Apollo in coming together to support ambitious new artistic projects.