Albany Park Theater Project is a multiethnic, youth theater ensemble that inspires people to envision a more just and beautiful world.
To support its teen artists, APTP established a complement of youth development programs. Teens receive extensive, ongoing mentoring from adult staff members on all aspects of their lives. APTP's tutoring program offers group and individual tutoring in the full complement of high school subjects. APTP's free college preparation and placement program provides comprehensive guidance to teens who will be the first college students in their families. College is promoted and prepared for from the time teens arrive at APTP. As freshmen in high school, teens are paired with APTP alumni mentors currently in college. Teens travel with APTP on group college tours to visit Midwest colleges. Beginning in the spring of junior year, students have individual, weekly meetings with an APTP staff member. Staff members guide students as they define what they want from a college, research prospective colleges, complete the application and financial aid process, and write personal statements and submit application materials. Since the inception of the college program in 2000, APTP ensemble members have posted a 72% better high school graduation rate, a 42% higher college matriculation rate, and a 600% higher college 6-year graduation rate than the average students in Chicago's public schools. APTP alumni also have an 80% lower unemployment rate than the Chicago average.