American Players Theatre

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Tracy Michelle Arnold as Beatrice in the play 'Much Ado About Nothing' at American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin.

American Players Theatre (APT) is a classical theater located in Spring Green, Wisconsin, about forty miles west of Madison.

APT sits on 110 acres of woods and meadow just off the Wisconsin River and includes a 1,148-seat outdoor amphitheater. Founded in 1979, APT has grown rapidly in recent years and with more than 100,000 patrons from across the nation attending performances each year it currently boasts the largest audience in the United States for outdoor classical theatre.

APT’s repertoire consists primarily of plays by William Shakespeare and other noted (usually Western) playwrights, such as George Bernard Shaw, Anton Chekov, Molière, and more. APT's productions usually include at least one lesser-known play each season. APT typically produces 116 performances of five plays running in repertory from June to October. Three of the plays are usually by Shakespeare.

A significant part of APT's mission is its education program. APT works with schools and educators to teach students both about Shakespeare (as well as other classic dramatic works), and about the theater in general. At the conclusion of the season APT goes on the road and brings classical theatre to various Wisconsin communities including Appleton, Janesville, Milwaukee, Madison, Manitowoc, Pulaski, Wausau, Whitewater, and Wisconsin Rapids.

APT is also known for offering picnic dinners (and a picnic area for those who bring their own food) to enjoy before the show. Showing that APT doesn't take itself too seriously, Thursday night shows are billed as "Skippeth-Out-Of-Work-Early Thursday Nights".

APT was co-founded by Randall Duk Kim, Anne Occhiogrosso and Charles Bright. Kim was the Artistic Director and mainstay lead actor for 15 years before reviving a movie career after a dispute with the board of directors.^[1]

APT's touring crew works closely with the stage crew of Lincoln High School in Manitowoc WI, during their yearly tour. The actors of APT also do workshops with the school in various parts of the Theatre, English, and other school programs.