The Astoria Performing Arts Center, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 2001 to bring high quality theatre and entertainment to Astoria/Long Island City and to support local youth and senior citizens. We are a professional theatre company that complements award-winning mainstage programming with dedicated community outreach efforts.

Each year, APAC brings extended networks of artists, technicians, and volunteers together to produce musical revivals and modern plays. APAC strives to create innovative and engaging work, equaling that of the most established Off Off Broadway theatre companies. Our mainstage shows have been recognized for their quality and top production values. In 2004, we were honored with an Off Off Broadway Theatre Review Award for Is There Life After High School? During the past three years, we have received eight New York Innovative Theatre Award nominations across a range of categories.

Examples of our programming for youth include a free annual musical theatre performance program for children ages 8-13 (Summer Stars - 6 years running) and an after school playwriting program for middle school students (Astoria Playmaking Program - 3 years running).

APAC was early to recognize the need for more cultural programming for senior citizens. In 2005, we launched a performance program for Queens residents over the age of 60: Senior Stars. We involve the youth and seniors who we get to know through these unique programs in our mainstage work: as interns, volunteers or performers.

APAC benefited from early and consistent recognition from the press (including the Queens newspapers, as well as the New York Times and American Theatre magazine, among others). We are committed to keeping our work accessible: the programming is varied in order to reach a broad audience, produced regularly each season and affordable, so that theater-going can be habit - not a rare treat for the people who see APAC's shows.