Albany Park Theater Project

Albany Park Theater Project creating transformative experiences that inspire a more just, equitable and joyful world

Albany Park Theater Project is a multiethnic, youth theater ensemble creating original theater that inspires people to envision a more just and beautiful world. Founded in 1997 by David Feiner and Laura Wiley, APTP has won a devoted audience and earned critical praise by surpassing people's expectations of youth theater and creating adventurous work of intelligence, beauty, and significance. APTP has created more than 50 original performance works and performed for more than 30,000 people. APTP has been recognized with the Coming Up Taller Award by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, hailed as “one of the true theatrical treasures of Chicago” by the Chicago Sun-Times, and featured in the Emmy Award-winning documentary, Beauty Rises: Four Lives in the Arts. As APTP ensemble members, teens become artists who are engaged with their community, think critically about their world, and create art with the goal of making the world more just. APTP provides youth development programs through which teens pursue the futures they dream. For most, youth development at APTP culminates with a free, comprehensive college counseling program. APTP teen artists have a 72% better high school graduation rate, a 42% higher college matriculation rate, and a 650% higher college graduation rate than the Chicago public schools average.

The start of something new with Creature Third Rail Projects. Stay tuned!
08/24/2026

The start of something new with Creature Third Rail Projects. Stay tuned!

Thank you for recognizing APTP’s contribution to the initiative. We share your vision that “We cannot afford to wait ...
07/04/2026

Thank you for recognizing APTP’s contribution to the initiative. We share your vision that “We cannot afford to wait for a national movement to unite us when we have the power to renew our democracy in our communities.” That’s precisely the approach APTP’s youth performing ensemble is taking in its new production, The American Project, premiering in less than two weeks. We are grateful to the for including APTP in Healing Illinois and for its longstanding support of so many essential grassroots organizations in Chicago and through Illinois.

Work with Us! We’re looking for an exceptional listener with a deep belief in the power of community-based storytelling ...
02/26/2026

Work with Us! We’re looking for an exceptional listener with a deep belief in the power of community-based storytelling - and who also has the skills of a community builder and a high level of organization and self direction. This is an 18-month, part-time contact opportunity to join the team creating a large-scale public art project that will transform the streets, storefronts, sacred spaces, and gathering places of Albany Park into a living stage in Fall 2027. Is this you or someone you know? Details and how to apply at link in bio and on aptpchicago.org.

APTP is grieving the passing of our beloved friend and fellow traveler Michael Aguhar. We will remember Michael for his ...
02/24/2026

APTP is grieving the passing of our beloved friend and fellow traveler Michael Aguhar. We will remember Michael for his generous heart, his gentleness and kindness, his ability to look at the world with both critique and compassion, and his absolute dedication to principles of justice and joy and dignity. Michael graciously shared some of his life story with us in 2018 and allowed us to make that part of our show Ofrenda. Members of the APTP community worked alongside Michael during his leadership at AFIRE (Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment). We send our love to his partner Irina and toddler Zoya and to all here in Chicago and beyond who cherished Michael. To learn more about Michael or to make a donation to support his family as they face this loss: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-michael-aguhars-legacy-and-family

Today, The Harlem Stories Project visited our APTP headquarters. We shared a meal together and exchanged our favorite th...
01/25/2026

Today, The Harlem Stories Project visited our APTP headquarters. We shared a meal together and exchanged our favorite theater games. is an ensemble of middle schoolers who create original theater based on their community of West Harlem in New York.

They traveled all the way from NY to Chicago to also experience . Due to flight mishaps, only a few folks were able to stay and experience PoE. But! We know we will be seeing you all again! Thank you for spending the day with us ❤️❄️

😎🤩

REPOST from our Co-Executive Director, Miguel Angel Rodriguez (): “Honored (and honestly a little stunned) to be named a...
01/14/2026

REPOST from our Co-Executive Director, Miguel Angel Rodriguez (): “Honored (and honestly a little stunned) to be named again to ’s “50 People Who Really Perform for Chicago.”

The first time meant a lot. The second time hits even deeper.

This recognition belongs to the young people of Albany Park who show up with courage, imagination, and truth, and to the staff, artists, and collaborators I get to work alongside every day at Albany Park Theater Project (). You make this work joyful, urgent, and worth doing. I just get to witness it and help hold the container.

As NewCity writes, APTP is an immigrant theater company telling immigrant stories at a time when immigrant rights are being dismantled and I believe deeply that this work, and this moment, matters. Watching young people transform, claim their voices, and tell stories rooted in their lived experience continues to be the greatest privilege of my life.

Thank you to  for the honor and to this community for reminding me, every day, why we do this.”

Also!! Our very own featured in “The Rising Stars and Storefront Stalwarts Hall of Fame.” 🫂

Photo cred: Joe Mazza .lux

For 27 years, Maggie has been part of APTP—first as a teenager in the youth ensemble and then as an Associate Director +...
12/19/2025

For 27 years, Maggie has been part of APTP—first as a teenager in the youth ensemble and then as an Associate Director + Director of our school-based programs.

In her own words, she reflects on 2025– and how art, community, and hope have shaped her journey and the young people she serves every day.

Read more from Maggie + support the work that grows artists into leaders and keeps these circles alive.

Link in bio.

#2025

When immigrant communities face fear, our young and fearless artists continue to rise. Thank you , for uplifting and ou...
10/23/2025

When immigrant communities face fear, our young and fearless artists continue to rise. Thank you , for uplifting and our unstoppable APTP youth.

Read the full article: Link in Bio

Albany Park is home to powerful organizers and neighbors who show up every day for immigrant justice and community care....
10/22/2025

Albany Park is home to powerful organizers and neighbors who show up every day for immigrant justice and community care.
We’re proud to uplift these orgs doing critical work across our neighborhood and beyond.
Because we know: we keep us safe — and we’re stronger together.

➡️ Swipe to learn how you can support: donate, volunteer, amplify, and stay connected.
⬇️ Shoutout more of your favorite orgs below in the comments!

Address

5100 N Ridgeway Avenue
Chicago, IL
60625

Telephone

+17738660875

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