ASBURY PARK THEATER COMPANY Press Kit

Asbury Park Theater Company was founded when a group of professional theater makers living in the area came together to ask the question, “Why doesn’t the Jersey Shore town know for entertainment have a professional theater company?” For decades, Asbury Park has been celebrated for its vibrant music, art and culture scenes, so this group of artists set out to form the non-profit which launched in May of 2019. Founders William Whitefield, Bob Angelini and Robert Allison began searching for a board of directors to head the non-profit theater company that would champion a mission to create and provide powerful, invigorating, and transformative professional theater and theater arts education that would inspire, celebrate, and enrich the local community. From new works, reimagined classics to provocative high-energy musical performances, the Asbury Park Theater Company would strive to be home to established, emerging and local professional theater artists.

In August 2019, the company produced its first event, A Little Musical Night at The Asbury Hotel’s grand ballroom. The evening was hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress, Sally Struthers with performances by Broadway actors Carter Calvert, James Alexander and Jim Newman. The evening was a resounding success, and the board excitedly began planning the 2020 Season that was set to feature 2 fully staged shows, 2 summer SODA (School of Dramatic Arts) intensives and the launch of APTCo’s Cabaret Project. However, in March of 2020, all plans were halted due to the Covid 19 epidemic, and the newly launched theater company was at risk of closing its doors.

From September of 2020 to December of 2021, the theater company struggled to produce events, but managed to hold 2 summer SODA programs in 2021 for local students, several of whom were able to attend for free thanks to the kind support of Jules L. Plangere, Jr. Family Foundation and Pat Thecker, a private donor. In addition, 3 cabarets were presented and APTCo began to regain its footing.

In Summer of 2022, APTCo was finally able to produce its first professional main stage musical at The Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park. Green Day’s American Idiot was presented in full production and the show featured 4 professional actor/singers from the area and 20 local young high school and college- aged emerging actor/singers, the latter of which participating as paid apprentices. In addition, several designers such as the lighting designer, sound designer and other technical positions were staffed by paid apprentices. This program was funded once again by the Jules L. Plangere, Jr. Family Foundation and holds the sole mission to give emerging artists the opportunity to work with seasoned artists in a safe, professional environment. In addition to this show, APTCo was able to hold 3 summer SODA classes that, once again, opened its doors to several local students who were able to attend free of charge.

In December of 2022, APTCo produced its second professional main stage production, this time at The Jersey Shore Arts Center which sits right at the border of Ocean Grove and Asbury Park. Million Dollar Quartet was presented in full production with a cast of professional artists and 3 paid apprentices. The success of the 2022 season cannot be overstated. Finally, as the world was returning to normal, APTCo was beginning to emerge as a powerhouse theater company able to produce professional level theater and theater arts education for the citizens of the Asbury Park area and surrounding communities.

In the Spring of 2023, APTCo was able to produce the poignant play, American Son, a four-person drama that depicts an estranged bi-racial couple who must confront their feelings about race and bias after their son is detained by the local police following a traffic stop.

Bringing relevant subject matter that encourages powerful discussion and perspective is an important way to bring folks of all nationalities and cultures together. On the heels of this production, The Bikinis was presented to celebrate the music of past generations in the Summer of 2023 while APTCo held yet another successful summer SODA session that allowed more deserving local students to attend free of charge. 

In December of 2023, APTCo called on its dear pal, Sally Struthers to play the role of Louise Seger, the Texas housewife who befriends Patsy Cline in a Houston honkytonk on the brink of the singer’s stardom. Always… Patsy Cline played for 9 performances at The Jersey Shore Arts Center and employed a handful of APTCo’s paid apprentices, some of whom had become fully paid staff, in such positions as lighting designer and sound designer. Imagine being 19 years old and designing sound for a show that features Emmy-winning actress Sally Struthers. 

To produce theater that has historical relevance and celebrates the African American community, APTCo presented the drama, The Mountaintop by African American and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall in May of 2024. This captivating play delved into the final night of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his mysterious encounter with Camae, one of the hotel’s chamber maids. Set in room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on April 3, 1968, the eve of King's assassination, this production of The Mountaintop offered a poignant exploration of humanity, legacy, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

Currently, APTCo is preparing for its upcoming summer production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, a musical romp for adults that explores love, relationships, and the mating game. Cast with some professional and some paid apprentices, this show will run for five performances in July of 2024. APTCo is also readying themselves to hold 2 summer SODA classes in sketch comedy and musical theater, and will, once again, encourage several local students to attend free of charge.

APTCo is also currently in talks with the high school principal and the Superintendent of the Asbury Park School District to reinstate a much-needed afterschool drama program to begin in the Fall of 2024.