WATER RIOT
a cyber punk rock opera
fresh off a sold-out residency at Harlem’s Apollo Theater
THE STORY
an unlikely coalition challenges an A.I. police state by staging a protest against the privatization of Lake Michigan.
Four Black activists
Finding community
Forging connection through song
Dreaming into a future worth fighting for.
ROAD TO THE APOLLO
2021 — Derek received a Creative Capital Award for the NightQueen Performance Suite, the multidisciplinary environmental justice project anchored by water riot.
2021–2022 — The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago commissioned water riot as part of its New Works Initiative and Chicago Performs residency program, culminating a sold-out work-in-progress song-book presentation.
2023–2025 — New York Live Arts welcomed Derek as a Live Feed Resident Artist, building water riot's New York foundation.
2024–2026 — National Black Theatre, Hi-ARTS, and The Capri Theatre provided additional developmental and presenting support.
2026 — The Apollo Theater's Works in Process program brought water riot to Harlem for a week-long residency and public performances.
a few songs from the show
(earlier recordings from the development process)
Damn Dam / Upload Me / What’s in the Cloud
footage from the 2022 song cycle performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
[dir Jerrell Henderson, featuring: GoldGrrl, Jasmine Robertson, Ms. Honeywater and Aaron Holland]
Apollo Theater’s Works in Process program provided a residency to Derek Lee McPhatter to advance the work, creating the opportunity to build the concert production version of the cyber punk rock opera.
An interactive, immersive live performance experience
Derek with Mike Przygoda (composer) & Maija García (director)
Jamecia Bennett as Bobbi
ALEXA GRÆ as Vox
Nathan Barlow as Vero
Montria Walker as Nik
Brian Bose as Skutters
making magic in the Apollo's Procope Theater
water riot - moment from the show
The Band - Ben Weiss, Lead Guitar, Serena Ebony Miller Bass, Q Robinson on Drums, James Davis Jr. Music Director / Keys
wearing two hats for the residency
another scene from the concert production
what’s next
water riot is actively seeking partners for
music video production and distribution
mixtape production and release
live concert production (touring)
full scale theatrical production (world premiere)
The show is intentionally modular and scalable — from intimate concert presentations to full theatrical productions. If you're a presenter, producer, or institution interested in what this project can become, let's talk.
water riot is part of NIGHTQUEEN, my multidisciplinary environmental justice performance suite.
Interested in partnering at a deeper level? Contact Derek Lee McPhatter for more information.