Apollo-Garrett Theater

The Apollo-Garrett Theater was an artist organization founded in 798 by the Scallibra of Arts at the time, Ellion Apollo, and Garrett Sant'ana, former member of the rival company Alcastilho Theater. Unlike their counterpart, the Apollo-Garrett Theater was known for their progressive policy and their tendency to openly contradict and challenge the artistic status quo. The organization also worked as a shelter for many orphans and homeless young artists who came to the theater to express themselves. During the Grey Revolution of 800, the Apollo-Garrett Theater became one of the first spots to be targeted, with the rebel forces starting a fire that killed most of the attendants and left the theater in ruins.

## History

### Background

Before the foundation of the Apollo-Garrett Theater, the only major artist organization available was the very conservative and elitist Alcastilho Theater, founded many years before by members of the Alcastilho family. Besides being mostly against artistic experimentation and innovation, this company was very expensive, filtering out the aspirants with insufficient means and forcing the ones that got in to follow an extremely strict program of education that shaped them into traditionally perfect artists. Among the members, Garrett Sant'ana, son of the then Scallibra of Territory, Viera Sant'ana, showed a lot of discontent with the lack of artistic freedom the members enjoyed. This led to growing tensions with the company and, eventually, Garrett leaving and being disowned by his father.

### Foundation

Shortly after becoming Scallibra of Arts, Ellion Apollo began a campaign to revive the artistic life of Sunscale. Appalled at the Alcastilho Theater's format, Ellion joined efforts with Garrett Sant'ana and the two decided to create their own company. With the approval of the Pebulla, the Scallibra of Finance, Rossorbino Banksingham, and the Prime Scallibra Audatius Oraculo, the project obtained the necessary funding from the government and, from 796 to 798, construction began in the capital Dentropoli. In 798 the Apollo-Garrett Theater was founded and opened to the public, immediately gaining traction among young artists and enthusiasts of all social standings.

### Work and policy

From its foundation in 798 to its destruction in 800, the Apollo-Garrett Theater hosted regular events such as concerts, plays and open mic sessions, as well as performances of all arts and styles. Along with professional artists from all across the country, a considerable number of performers were young children and adults with a passion for arts but very little economical means. These became students of the company and received free education as well as a percentage of the income they brought in through their performances.

The education of all arts was very liberal and consisted mainly of the supply of all means necessary for the students to experiment and learn for themselves, with the instructors playing a helping role and counseling the students on any difficulties they had. The instructors were performers themselves and were elected by the head committee, presided by Garrett.

### Controversy

Since the first proposal of the project, the Apollo-Garrett Theater was a divisive topic among the high class. Viera Sant'ana, Scallibra of Territory at the time, and Infelicano Alcastilho, Scallibra of Society, both vehemently disapproved of the initiative. Viera was highly conservative and wanted his son to have a successful career at the Alcastilho Theater, while Infeliciano was soon inheriting the company from his father. However their votes against the procedure of the project were overshadowed by the positive votes casted by the Pebulla, the Scallibra of Finance and the Prime Scallibra.

Following approval for the necessary governmental funds being directed towards the construction and maintenance of the theater, the conservative community began to express more and more dissatisfaction with the company. Among them, Cacian Oraculo, son of the Prime Scallibra, was a very prominent figure, causing many to follow his ideals. In 778, a couple months after the inauguration of the Apollo-Garrett Theater, Cacian was at the epicenter of a very problematic commotion at the theater, leading him to be banned from the capital. However, two years later, he would return as Python, with many that followed him for his stance against the theater and the artist community as a whole, causing the Grey Revolution.

### Destruction during the Grey Revolution

On a day in 800, there was an open mic session being held in the Apollo-Garrett Theater. On stage, a 3 year old Loryn Denali played guitar, while Joga Guomundsson, then Scallibra of Trade, her husband Ludwig Beckford and their children Zane and Cindy sat in the audience. In the middle of the performance, however, rebels under Python's command, affiliated with the Alcastilho Theater, lit the theater on fire. Quickly, chaos ensued, with everyone inside attempting to escape, except for Loryn, who stood frozen in fear on the stage. This prompted Ludwig to ask Joga to go back and try to save Loryn while he went ahead and took the children somewhere safe using his invisibility powers before coming back to get Joga and Loryn. Joga hesitantly agreed and took Loryn from the stage, but, once Ludwig came back for them, Joga was already stuck under the burning rubble and he was forced to abandon her and take only Loryn with him. By the time the Beckfords were able to escape the theater, it was already in ruins.

### Aftermath

Even though many affiliates of the Apollo-Garrett Theater died in the Grey Revolution, including the patron Ellion Apollo, many others survived and went on to preserve the legacy of the company in the following years. Donna Baker, one of the theater's instructors, became the founder of a new community in the Vecherburgo District and Ludwig Beckford became responsible for the Dermia District, where he cultivated the local music scene.

## Known members

* Ellion Apollo (founder and patron)
* Garrett Sant'ana (head director)
* Donna Baker (instructor)
* Delphi Apollo (instructor/performer)
* Callia Baker (student/performer)
* Maya Egaroz (student/performer)
* Loryn Denali (performer)
* Ludwig Beckford (performer)
* Joga Guomundsson (performer)