For nearly two decades, the Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) has offered live performances, arts education, and community engagement, aiming to bring public awareness to cultural and social issues. Learn more about it on queens-trend.
Off-Broadway
Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) was established in 2001 as a nonprofit organization by Susan Scannell Gilbert and Brian J. Swasey. The mission of this space has always been to bring high-quality theater to the residents of Astoria and New York City in general. APAC is an Off-Broadway venue, with a seating capacity between 100 and 499 guests (though this term generally refers to theaters in Manhattan).
On its main stage, the organization has premiered plays and musicals while also developing new works through various workshops. Audiences have seen productions across a range of genres and themes. For example, the play Jump explores the pain of a family dealing with loss and grief, offering a compelling approach to some of life’s most stressful situations. The play Man of La Mancha, an adaptation of the non-musical 1959 teleplay inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel Don Quixote, was also featured.
Among visitors, Caroline, or Change was particularly popular for addressing vital social issues. Set in 1963 Louisiana, it tells the story of Caroline Thibodeaux, a Black maid working for a Jewish family. The story takes place during the Civil Rights Movement, exploring themes such as racism, anti-Semitism, capitalist exploitation, and political change theories. Though its plot is straightforward, the issues raised are deeply significant.
The musical Marguerite, which tells the story of a French immigrant who arrives in the New World during the 1600s and attempts to improve life in the colony that would later become Canada, also drew a substantial audience.
Educational Hub
APAC was not only a venue for entertainment but also for education, hosting various free annual community programs, including the Summer Stars Program for children, an after-school playwriting program for middle school students, and programs for seniors in Queens (ages 60 and above).
The Summer Stars Program was free and open to children aged 8–13. Through this program, hundreds of aspiring young actors have developed their theater skills, learning about vocal performance, choreography, acting, and more. APAC also established the One-Eleven Club membership program, which invited participants to exclusive talks, interviews, readings, and workshops focused on developing new plays and musicals.
All these programs strengthened the theater troupe’s relationship with the community while nurturing a new, socially conscious audience. The diversity of programs and consistent quality has attracted loyal patrons from different social backgrounds across Queens and other boroughs.
As another noteworthy arts education space in Queens, Kupferberg Center for the Arts has also gained recognition. It offers arts education programs for children and teens, such as Accelerating the Arts and after-school classes in music, dance, and visual arts under The Mosaic Project, focusing on practical skills.
