Jared Grimes, 2001 Donna Reed Foundation national scholarship recipient in dance.
Jared Grimes is among many New York performers who’ve seen work—and paychecks—go down the drain since mid-March. The pandemic has forced entertainers to get creative, by embracing technology and new ways to connect with audiences and sticking to a survival strategy.
On Dec. 12 at 9 p.m., he will perform a featured role in “Sing Your Hallelujah,” a holiday concert filmed live at the Apollo Theater in Harlem headlined by Broadway actress Shoshana Bean. The event will be streamed through Stellar, a new platform designed specifically for live performances.
Grimes filmed his showcase—performed to “The Little Drummer Boy”—at an empty theater in early November. “It was an amazing experiment,” Grimes said. Even without an audience, “the energy in the Apollo filled it up.”
Other projects since the coronavirus include releasing a music video for his new song “Goin’ Sammy Davis Jr.” and teaching dance classes virtually. “I’m a lifetime teacher,” he said.