A P A P  Association of Performing  Arts Professionals

APAP, the international performing arts organization develops and supports

the rights  of performing artists offering at their 2020 NY conference  connections to agents, consultants, presenters and venues in theater, circus, world music, jazz, classical  and dance . President Mario Garcia Durham welcomed the 1,000 in

attendance with  its mission of bringing artists together with audiences with meetings, networking, a huge exposition and entertainment venues of  singers, dancers, musicians, magicians and a huge cocktail party serving Korean barbecue and pasta.

This years theme was “Risk and Resiliency”.

The Academy award winner ESTELLE PARSONS spoke about exposure to danger in her life, with her portrayal in “Bonnie and Clyde”.  Lynn Fisher, Co-Chair of the conference and Director of Frontera Arts of Austin, Texas was deeply moved by

the passion of Alice Sheppard’s speech, who risked her disability to learn to dance, and showed a video of performers in wheel chairs hanging on a stage..

From Iran, King Ram showed his movie “Departure” about the struggle his parents had in Iran.  Jamilla Deria from Ecuador spoke about her performance at the Whitney.  And when asked why all the British actors are the best, a London

representative said” it’s all in the water they drink “.

BARBRA STREISAND gave tribute  at the memorial for Metropolitan opera singer JESSYE NORMAN Peter GELB,  GLORIA STEINEM, RENEE FLEMING praised the amazing
vocalist who went to France to sing the Marseillaise at their anniversary for the Bicentenial.
Alvin Ailey  dancers were on stage and a video of Ms. Norman singing from Carmen  was shown. Footage from the 18th and 20th annual Kennedy Center Honors was provided.