Organizations Filed Purposes:
Allentown Public Theatre is dedicated to empowering our diverse communities through the performing arts. We expand opportunities for cultural participation and education in the arts, and create works that address contemporary issues.
Main-stage: 4/22-5/1/2016 - Allentown Public Theatre presented 8 performances of "The Island" in downtown Allentown to make live theater accessible to all, with special outreach to under-served center-city residents. This apartheid-era drama, by Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona, tells of two political prisoners on Robben Island who labor by day but at night rehearse for a prison performance of the Greek tragedy "Antigone," as a vehicle for their own dissent. Their struggle with "Antigone," their captors, and each other gives a moving glimpse of the dynamics of power and the value of hope and humanity in the face of crushing odds. In this production, an ensemble representing modern-day American prisoners framed the South African story with drumming, movement, and song to bridge the gap between then and now. Post-show talkbacks let cast and audience discuss today's relevant issues of mass incarceration, police brutality, and racial tension. The Morning Call reviewer termed the play, "spare and thought-provoking." Lehigh Valley Press called it "a captivating visit to a place not so far away." . . . On 4/28, a private performance at Lehigh County Correctional Center was presented free to about 55 residents, who responded enthusiastically. Having one's experiences validated, especially in prison, is a powerful thing.
Youth Programs: . . .7/24-8/2/2015 - APT presented 6 performances of "Charlotte's Web," Joseph Robinette's adaption of E.B. White's beloved book. "A thoroughly delightful production...an engaging and heartwarming version of the classic story in which a spider helps a pig avoid being made into bacon," said a reviewer, also praising the clever costumes. Augmenting the adult cast, a youth ensemble briefly stole the show. 531 people attended (223 kids admitted free, and 308 adults, for pay-what-you-will) . . . Since 2013, Allentown Public Theatre has preceded its annual children's play with a related series of 4 free Saturday-morning workshops to give kids an educational opportunity to explore their imaginations, practice creative problem-solving, and improve stage presence and speaking skills. The 2015 workshop series started in the previous fiscal year and continued 7/11 & 7/18. Eleven participants (age 5-11) did actor's warmups, played improvisation games, created original dramatizations in pairs, and did movement work. At the final workshop they rehearsed as baby pigs and baby spiders for participating in the play. The eight who did so said they would want to do it again and that they learned to be confident on stage and not be shy. As a parent commented, it was also a lesson in teamwork and accepting responsibility.
The Associated Mess: One of the Lehigh Valley's first improv comedy troupe's, The Associated Mess was founded by Allentown Public Theatre's founding artistic director in 2003 and regularly performs across the Valley. Annual attendance for all Associated Mess engagements: approx. 1,200 adults.
Executives Listed on Filing
Total Salary includes financial earnings, benefits, and all related organization earnings listed on tax filing
| Name | Title | Hours Per Week | Total Salary |
|---|
| Cheryl Moritz | Member at large | 2 | $641 |
| Troy Brokenshire | Treasurer | 2 | $0 |
| Rochelle Freedman | Recording Secretary | 2 | $0 |
| Susan Weaver | President | 8 | $0 |
| Marcie Schlener | Member at Large | 2 | $0 |
| Doug Roysdon | Member at Large | 2 | $0 |
| Ara Barlieb | Member at Large | 2 | $0 |
Data for this page was sourced from XML published by IRS (
public 990 form dataset) from:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/irs-form-990/201623419349300312_public.xml