Youth Power
Our Mission

Youth Power

APTP has created transformative experiences with and for thousands of teens, primarily young people of color from immigrant families who have become members of our core Performing Ensemble or students in our APTP@School school-based programs. Teens in APTP’s Performing Ensemble expand the pathways that are realistically available to them and empower themselves to lead choice-filled lives. Supported by APTP’s college access and success program, APTP alumni complete college at rates four times higher than average in Chicago public schools: 60% of APTP alumni graduate college by the age of 25. How do we do this? Together, APTP teens and adults create a small, loving community that fosters agency, critical thinking and life-long learning - a community that nurtures a sense of mission and purpose; supports each teen with free mentoring, tutoring and a comprehensive college access and success program; and offers a network of exceptional alumni who serve as role models.  
Blog posts about Youth Power
  • College Access & Success
    David Feiner Jan. 1, 2013

    When APTP decided to start college counseling, we committed to building a program as holistic, rigorous, and successful as any in the country – and as loving as everything we do at APTP.

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  • Beyond the Stage: APTP’s Tutoring Program
    Watson Zhou Oct. 10, 2014

    It’s 7pm, and a swarm of company members surround APTP academic tutor, Brett Schneider. Questions bounce back and forth, covering everything from organic chemistry to U.S. History, and APTPians respond as though they are eager contestants on a game show.

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  • Here for a Reason: Stephanie Castrejon
    Watson Zhou Jul. 28, 2014

    Update: APTP alumna Stephanie Castrejon and her cast-mates from College of Wooster have been selected by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) to perform “Women of Ciudad Juarez” at the annual Region III competition this January.

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  • APTP on Tour: Kalamazoo College
    David Feiner Oct. 5, 2014

    Kalamazoo College joined the list of campuses where APTP has performed when 5 ensemble members helped open the college’s WITH/OUT Borders Conference. The performance also gave our APTPians the opportunity for a college visit.

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