Director of Communications, Sara Young on APT's 40th Anniversary Party

Sara Young gives us the scoop on celebrating 40 years of APT.

Quick Chats are a bi-weekly Q&A with some of APT's excellent company members about topics ranging from the obviously relevant, to the mildly strange. This week, we talk to Director of Communications, Sara Young, among many other things, oversees event planning. And this year in particular, APT's 40th Anniversary Extravaganza.

APT: So. 40 years?
Sara Young: Yeah, it’s hard to believe. And also kind of easy to believe. The founders’ passion to create classical theater, and our audience’s passion to see that theater, got us where we are today. That, and a lot of hard work. And great art. And here we are 40 years in. I couldn’t be prouder of where APT is right now. 

APT: We hear there’s going to be a party.
SY: Yes! We’re so excited – not just for the party but to have people who’ve been coming to APT for 20 or 30 or 40 years celebrate and really take in how far we’ve come. Because there are a lot of those people out there. Every year I talk to folks who tell me they were here that very first year, and it’s touching to hear what this place has meant to them. They often refer to APT as “us.” And they’re right – it’s our theater. APT wouldn’t be here without this committed audience. So they deserve a good party. We all do! 

APT: What can people expect?
SY: Oh, it’s going to be a really fun afternoon. Of course, we’ll have live music, mainly by the APT company, which is always fun. For food, Pizza Brutta, Dickey’s BBQ Pit and Kona Ice will be serving from their food trucks. We’ll also have a wine and cocktail tasting, as well as our usual fare from APT concessions.  

The silent auction is going to be amazing. Most of the items involve or have been created by APT company members, including some one-of-a-kind experiences for the daring (anyone want to climb those APT lighting towers?) and the not-so-daring (think dinner or drinks with your favorites). There’s much more, but I don’t want to give it all away before the day. 

We’re also cooking up a bunch of other really fun activities, probably including a dunk tank. We’ll be taking suggestions on who you’d most like to dunk. 

APT: There are a couple of other events kind of running alongside the party. Can you talk a little bit about that?
SY: Absolutely. The party will take place in our picnic grounds, in and around John’s Place, a beautiful new pavilion built in memory of our good friend and former Board member, John Frautschi. We’ll be officially dedicating John’s Place as part of the afternoon’s activities. We’ll also officially open our Art in the Woods exhibit that day, and several of the artists will be in attendance. 

Finally, we are opening the Hill Theatre stage to anyone that would like to commemorate APT’s 40th by reading/performing a bit of any play in our history. Of course, the Core Company and other company members will be participating but we need YOU to keep it going for the whole afternoon. (Interested? Fill out this Google form and we’ll get you scheduled.)

APT: Anything else you’d like to add?
SY: I started at APT in 2003 and my first major project was coordinating The Book of Lore (remember that?) for the 25th anniversary. The next year I planned the 25th Anniversary Party for APT. So, this is the 4th anniversary party I’ve worked on. They are always so much fun and a great reminder of the community we’ve all built. I look forward to seeing you there!