Albany Park Theater Project

Established in 1997, Albany Park Theater Project (APTP) creates theatrical experiences that forge an inclusive community of youth artists, adult artists, and audiences to envision and build a more just, equitable, and joyful world. It collaborates with immigrant and first-generation youth to transform their personal stories into original theater works. Through its High-School Aged Performing Ensemble, paid teen ensemble members create performances for over 4,000 audience members in person and 50,000 online viewers annually. Its school-based programs reach more than 400 Chicago Public School students per year. Its youth-centered theater company has devised and performed over 25 original plays and employed hundreds of youth ensemble members. This award provides general operating support to APTP in the Culture, Equity, and the Arts area of the Chicago Commitment strategy.

Albany Park Theater Project, founded in 1997, is a multi-ethnic youth theater ensemble that develops original plays about social justice issues based on the life experiences of its participants and their communities. The ensemble members live in Albany Park, a diverse community on Chicago’s northwest side, and trace their roots to more than 30 countries. With this International Connections Fund award, Albany Park Theater Project collaborates with a theater in the United Kingdom to examine the youth response to two national elections in 2016 with significant societal implications, specifically the “Brexit” vote in the United Kingdom and the presidential election in the United States. Award funds will be used to support travel, lodging, stipends, supplies, programs, and events.

Albany Park Theater Project, founded in 1997, is a multi-ethnic youth theater ensemble that develops original plays about social justice issues based on the life experiences of its participants and their communities. The ensemble consists of 35-40 teenage artists from Chicago Public Schools each year, who have created 19 original, evening length plays in total. The organization is known for the originality and high quality artistic work that its ensemble creates. The company reaches a diverse audience of 5,000-10,000 people per year. A MacArthur Award recognizes organizations that have excellent programs, that are well-managed, and that are at an inflection point, where they are likely to grow either in size or influence. Albany Park Theater Project will allocate most of the funds to a board designated operating reserve and opportunity fund; a smaller portion will be used to develop and implement a strategic plan.