Go behind the scenes as Kelley Girod and Ken-Matt Martin sit down for an intimate conversation on The Fire This Time Festival, a powerful incubator of bold new voices shaping the future of American theater. Now in its 17th year, firethistimefestival returns to The Apollo Stages at The Victoria, igniting our legendary space with 6 world-premiere 10-minute plays that are fearless, imaginative, and unmistakably of this moment. From laugh-out-loud humor to deeply moving, politically charged storytelling, these works pulse with urgency and vision, each directed by acclaimed creator kenmattm. Founded in 2009 by kelleyngirod as part of #ApolloNewWorks, The Fire This Time Festival stands as a vital launchpad for early-career Black playwrights. What began as a spark has grown into a national pipeline, supporting writers, directors, actors, and designers whose work now resonates on stages, and in writers’ rooms across the country. Link in bio.