History

The founders set about building the theater – both the infrastructure and the mission. Randall Duk Kim was the Artistic Director and principal actor, Charles Bright served as Managing Director and Anne Ochhiogrosso was Literary Director and Resident Director. They put together a Board of Directors of arts and business leaders from the local area, across Wisconsin and the US.

The outdoor theater featured a thrust stage and 650 seats. In the early years, scenery was built in the parking lot, the costume shop was in the barn, the old farmhouse housed the administrative office, and the chicken coop was converted to serve as the box office. APT’s first performance was Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on July 18, 1980. The play ran in rotating repertory that season with Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus.

If building a theater in a small, remote community was a challenge, developing and sustaining an audience was even more daunting. But word spread quickly about this very special venue and the quality of the work. By its second season, the stage was home to a mix of five Shakespearean comedies, histories and tragedies.

Despite APT’s critical and popular success, the theater’s finances were extremely precarious in the early years. In January 1986, APT announced that it was closing due to lack of finances. This news was met with an extraordinary grassroots effort by APT enthusiasts who raised the necessary funds to re-open a few months later, in time to produce the 1986 season.  

Leadership

Charles Bright left APT in 1987 and the Board appointed Sheldon Wilner as Managing Director in 1988. Anne Occhiogrosso became co-Artistic Director in 1987 along with Randall Duk Kim and she served as Artistic Director from 1988-1991.

David Frank was appointed Artistic Director in late 1991. Under David Frank and Sheldon Wilner’s leadership, APT’s financial position improved and attendance nearly doubled (from 52,000 to over 90,000 annually). They also spearheaded major fundraising efforts for infrastructure improvements, including replacing and expanding the amphitheater and seating (to more than 1100 seats) in 2000 and building a 22,000 square foot production facility for rehearsal halls, production shops and administrative offices in 2001.

David Frank was appointed Producing Artistic Director in 2005 when Sheldon Wilner left. During David’s tenure, he developed the Core Acting Company and Apprentice Program. Also, in 2009, he led the effort to open the 200-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre which allowed APT to extend the season and expand the dramaturgy. When he retired in 2015, the audience had grown to over 100,000 and APT was in an excellent financial position.

Brenda DeVita was appointed Artistic Director in 2014, as David Frank was transitioning into retirement. DeVita began at APT in 1995 as Company Manager and quickly rose through the ranks to become the Associate Artistic Director by 2004. She worked alongside David Frank to develop the Core Acting Company and the Apprentice Program. She also championed APT’s Voice and Text Program and launched APT’s Creating the Classics of Tomorrow new play development program. Under her leadership, along with Managing Director Carrie Van Hallgren, APT completed an $8 million renovation of the stage, backstage and lobby at the flagship outdoor Hill Theatre in 2017. When Carrie Van Hallgren left the position in 2022, Director of Communications Sara Young was promoted to Managing Director.

Today

Now about to enter its 47th season, APT, which began as an unlikely “theater in the woods,” produces nine productions each year, employs over 300 artists and staff, has an annual audience of nearly 100,000, and an operating budget of $10.7 million.

Interested in learning more about APT's history? Click here to access a timeline of major events. Find production history here.