The theater was designed to host stage shows and films, featuring a pipe organ for live musical accompaniment.

[6]: 188  The theater's decor includes simplistic stone and masonry designs on top of steel frames, with an overall focus on fireproofing.

An official tornado warning was subsequently issued at 7:24 p.m. CDT at which point Apollo Theater management halted the scheduled performance and had patrons remain inside the building to wait out the storm.

The National Weather Service reported "possible tornado damage" to the theater,[8] with winds in the area reaching 90 miles per hour (140 km/h).

[10] Four death metal bands were scheduled to play on the evening of the collapse: Morbid Angel, Revocation, Skeletal Remains and Crypta.