After her death, the family of actress and icon Ester Rolle donated her personal/professional papersto AARLCC’s Special Collections. To celebrate the centennial anniversary of her birth in 2020, AARLCC staff were challenged to create a slate of programming — including a spectacular finale event in the time of COVID-19 — that honored Rolle, celebrated Black excellence in Broward County and promoted grassroots arts and culture in the historic Sistrunk Boulevard neighborhood where AARLCC is located.

A true community collaboration, Let the Good Times Rolle was written, produced and presented by local actors, playwrights, directors, stagehands, musicians and designers. AARLCC has a theater, but due to COVID-19, sets and an outdoor stage were built specifically for the March 4 and 5, 2021 shows. The drive-in, socially distanced event was festive, with food trucks, guest speakers and the live show. It was filmed for later broadcast and is currently being edited.

Short-term outcomes included the two successful performances of the play, which attracted approximately 400 guests, as well as the successful fulfillment of the grant that funded the project. Long-term outcomes include increased visibility of AARLCC and of the Sistrunk Boulevard neighborhood as a thriving hub of artistic and creative energy, fostering local pride in its residents and, above all, respectfully and joyfully honoring Ms. Rolle’s legacy of excellence and achievement.