Allentown Public Theatre has a history of bringing theatre, workshops, performances, and community discussions directly into Allentown neighborhoods.
APT has presented children’s productions and theatre workshops at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in the heart of inner-city Allentown. This work has included Charlotte’s Web and Wendy, an Adventure in Neverland, along with workshops that gave children opportunities to participate in theatre, develop creative skills, and work with professional artists.
In 2010, we commissioned and performed El Coqui at Cedar Beach Park. The production reflected our interest in creating theatre connected to Allentown’s diverse communities and cultural traditions.
We have also brought theatre and the arts to neighborhood churches, schools, parks, community centers, and other public spaces. These partnerships have helped make theatre available to people who may face transportation, financial, or other barriers to attending performances.
In 2016, APT developed Voice of Conscience, a program that brought poetry and song to local congregations, followed by facilitated discussions about racism, social justice, and the experiences of people from diverse communities.
APT also developed relationships with the Promise Neighborhood program and other community partners. Through these relationships, we connected theatre and the arts with issues affecting people’s lives in Allentown’s neighborhoods.
Our neighborhood-based work reflects our belief that theatre does not have to be limited to a traditional stage or a single building. Theatre can take place wherever people gather, creating opportunities for performance, discussion, learning, and connection.