APTC - Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory

Welcome to another great year with APTC! I am so proud to see how far our conservatory has grown in just over three years. Now in our forth season, and happily housed on the grounds of the Allenberry Resort, APTC has fostered the artistic growth of over 300 alumni, all proud to call themselves artists. I could keep explaining the experience young artists receive when they come to APTC but I decided to let our alums share their voice…enjoy!

Guess what?!! Thanks to all of your amazing acting coaching I got the part of Amy in my school's production of Little Women! I'm the only freshman in the cast of 10 people (6 girls). Thank you so much! I can't wait for APTC!!!!!!!!!

–Jessica Ensley, Shippensburg, PA

The professional experience I had at APTC was amazing. It felt as though I was in a professional theatre cast, which was about to tour the nation, instead of a high school play or community theatre play. It helped my self-esteem and self-confidence so much more than anything else has, which was awesome. The director and all the other adults' vast experience helped them coach me and become a better actor.

-Megan Habeck, Carlisle, PA

APTC changed the way I though about theater because the first thing I thought when I was in a show was "I am going to learn songs, dances and lines and then perform them." With APTC, I learned there was more than that. We learned character building, acting exercises, vocal exercises, and much more! When I hear about auditions or shows for something with APTC, I automatically want to be involved. I know so much more about theater now that I never knew before. The staff also changed my life. No matter how annoying, or unfocused we were, they NEVER yelled! They are so friendly and have GREAT personalities. They had such great ways to keep us quiet. They were some of the nicest people I have ever met and I am still so thrilled to have had the chance to learn with them.

-Carly Lafferty, Lewisberry, PA

APTC is incredibly different than any other theatre program I've ever participated in. I've done shows almost all my life, yet nothing is quite the same as APTC. The most unique thing about the program is probably how intensive it is. Most shows, especially those that are youth-oriented, tend to have at most two or three rehearsals a week. However, APTC, especially the overnight summer programs, gave me a taste for what professional theatre is really like. The participants are in rehearsal from first thing in the morning to late at night, basically stopping just for meals. There are other fun activities some of the days, but most of the program is all theatre all the time. It really gives one a feel for what it's like to pull a show together in a very short amount of time, and what it would be like to do theatre full time as a career. Thus, every aspiring artist should have the opportunity to participate in this fantastic program, because it really is one in a million.

-Sam Wend, Hummelstown, PA

APTC is the program that led me to commit to following my dream of becoming a performer. It has taught me valuable lessons in both acting and being a good person. The training I've gotten at APTC has also lead me to getting two lead roles in musicals, which I believe without APTC, I would not have gotten. If there's a place that teaches a person that they can achieve anything with hard work and passion, it's APTC.

-Gary Shoemaker, Summerdale, PA

GUESS WHAT! I auditioned for this program for the directors and scouts and producers from Disney and Nickelodean and I got a call back! I meant with the woman who runs the whole program and she said that there was 20 people that made it out of 1,000 and I was picked second! She asked me who was my role model and who got me into acting and I said it was my director Roque and Emily who got me into it and I look up to them all the time. If they can do it so can I. I love you guys so very much!

-Randee Beckley, Middletown, PA

I've always heard the sayings like, "You've got one life, live it to the fullest" or anything else. But that's one of the things that I got from APTC. I literally do not go a DAY without remotely thinking of APTC.

-Madi Youch, New Cumberland, PA

I remember one of the last days, lying in the studio and looking at the ceiling and thinking "don't you dare forget this. You live every single second of this, and love it with all your heart, and don't you DARE forget it. " Looking at councilors with amps in their hands and bags under their eyes and smiles on their faces because they are mind-body-and-soul in LOVE with the art of people. It's not about camp - it's about people. It's about the fact that I can't describe, really REALLY describe, to anybody what camp was like for me. But there are 36 people who know exactly what I'm talking about, and that's pretty beautiful.

-Rebecca Mullins, Harrisburg, PA

With 300 alums strong and many more on their way, our imagination is the limit for APTC. I invite you to join our family where we truly believe that through the performing arts we can enrich and enhance the lives of others…one young artist at a time .

Roque Berlanga
Managing Artistic Director

History of Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory

In 2006, the founding Board of Directors signed the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory. Their vision was to make performing arts accessible to the youth of the South Central Pennsylvania region. Since then, the Directors worked towards creating awareness and educating the community on the importance of arts experiences for area youth.

In 2008, the Artistic Director of Allenberry Playhouse, Claude Giroux, along with the Artistic Manager, Roque Berlanga, approached the APTC Board of Directors in an effort to expand the organization into a full-fledged conservatory for young artists. The first step was for APTC to take over producing the annual children's show, a modern twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty. With so many new faces sitting in the Allenberry Playhouse, the stage was set for a program aimed just for them.

That summer, Giroux, Berlanga and consultant Tim Parsons, organized a week-long residential conservatory for students aged 10-17. They hired professional actors, technicians and designers from Allenberry Playhouse to teach and share with the young artists. On August 10, 2008, Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory welcomed its inaugural class of 50 students. Over the course of one week, the students rehearsed their music, choreography and blocking much in the same way the Allenberry professional actors do all year. It was an experience none of them would ever forget.

From the success of that first program, Giroux and Berlanga pushed to continue expanding APTC's programming. A seven-week long after-school program was developed as another opportunity for young artists to hone their skills and work with theatre professionals. Twelve students worked diligently three hours after school, four days per week to mount their very own production of A Year with Frog & Toad. In February 2009, they performed for four sold-out audiences.

APTC continues to attract more students and professionals in their ever expanding and evolving programming. We have now grown into two separate summer sessions and continue to create opportunities for more students to be involved. We're excited about spending another year creating art and sharing our knowledge with every young artist in South Central Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas!

History of Allenberry Resort Inn & Playhouse

In America the unusual often becomes ordinary, but every now and then one finds an enterprise so rare that it stands out from the crowd. Allenberry is such a place. Allenberry is located in Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley near the quaint village of Boiling Springs - named for the underground springs that feed the lake and "boil" in the winter months.

This truly beautiful piece of property bordering the trout-filled Yellow Breeches has provided a home and livelihood for six families over the past two hundred years. The Fairfield and Allenberry tracts were developed into prosperous working farms from 1786 until 1929.

The existing fifty-seven acre Allenberry tract was transformed from a private estate into a year round family business, one dedicated to providing recreation, relaxation and respite to all those who appreciate the rural tranquility of the Cumberland Valley, by its founder, the late Charles A. B. Heinze. It has been owned and operated by the Heinze family since 1944.

In 1949 a summer theatre was started. A playhouse was constructed with modern theatre seats for 420 persons and equipped with all lighting and stage facilities. This has become a leading activity at Allenberry and the original run of 10 weeks of Broadway productions in the summer has been extended to a season of more than 40 weeks, which starts in March and runs through December.

In 2008, the Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory started offering intensive performing arts summer programs for young actors. These programs have grown into a tremendous success.

For a more complete history, please visit http://www.allenberry.com/pages/history/beginning.html and http://www.allenberry.com/pages/history/story.html

APTC Board of Directors

Jan Endrizzi Wilson, President
Jonathan Vipond III, Secretary
Marie Schleicher, Treasurer
Cindy King
Robert Hall
Ann Hoffer
Pat Strickler
Douglas Marcello

Roque Berlanga, Managing Artistic Director
Roque is excited to be returning as the Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory's (APTC) Managing Artistic Director. Roque joins the Allenberry Family from his home state of California, where he studied acting at CSU Stanislaus. While in California, Roque also trained with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and The Second City.

Prior to Allenberry, Roque was Manager/Learning Specialist of Northern California for Starbucks Coffee Company for seven years. Favorite credits include All Shook Up (Dennis), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Rosencrantz), Into the Woods (Jack), A Funny Thing...Forum (Hero), The King and I (Director), Always...Patsy Cline (Director), and A Year with Frog and Toad (Director).

Emily Marcello, Conservatory Coordinator
Emily is extremely happy to have become a member the APTC family during the summer of 2009. A Carlisle native, Emily began her Allenberry career as an intern at the Playhouse as well as serving as a member of the conservatory's artistic staff. As the year closes, she cannot be more excited to return to the company as the active administrative assistant. Ever since she was young, Emily has had a great appreciation and love for theatre that continues to grow each day passing day. She has trained at Stagedoor Manor in the Catskills of New York with a favorite credit as a company member of The Laramie Project. Currently, when she is not working at Allenberry, Emily spends her time studying International Business & Management and Spanish at Dickinson College.

Jere Heinze, President, Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse
A true alumnus of the Allenberry Youth Programs, Jere was one month old when his father purchased the Sadler Estate known as Allenberry. At the age of 5 Jere appeared on stage in Life with Father, the premier opening of the Allenberry Playhouse. Jere was an intern in the Allenberry Resort kitchen, dish room, and dining room through his teens, then went on to Drexel, the Navy, and hotel management from New York to Los Angeles. Jere and his wife, Diane, work, live, and have raised their children, Charles and Jennifer, on the Allenberry property. We look forward to hosting your children at this magical spot known as Allenberry.

Charles A.B. Heinze II, General Manager, Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse
It was clear from an early age that the restaurant business was in Charles's blood, and, following in the footsteps of his father, Jere, and his Uncle John, he spent his teenage years in the Allenberry kitchen. Charles continued the legacy of Heinze's at Penn State University, earning his degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management.

When Charles came home to Allenberry, he not only brought his experience and incredible skill, he brought his love and loyalty for the property. "We are a family-run business, but all of our employees are also part of that family. All of our guests are part of that family. We are fortunate that we are able to host our guests in such a personable way, making sure they feel at home in this truly special setting."

Charles, his high-school sweetheart and wife, Jennifer, and their two children, Charles III (Chase) and Nola, currently reside in the Creek House at Allenberry.

MaryAnne Heinze Murtoff, Coordinator,
Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory
MaryAnne is excited to be part of Allenberry's New Youth Programs. She is the second oldest in the 4th generation of Heinze's and grew up at Allenberry. Mary Anne has been working for the resort since her teens at every type of job imaginable from buffet runner to Service Manager, actress to Public Relations Director and as settled at the Hotel Front Desk and Accounting office. She is looking forward to sharing the Allenberry experience with a new generation of customers and will help to ensure a memorable camp adventure. MaryAnne resides in the Village of Boiling Springs with her musician husband Rob and two fantastic teenage daughters Liz and Emily. She is a proud Soccer Mom & Wife and is the resident Heinze family baker. MaryAnne is graduate of Penn State University.

Karen Taylor, Pool Manager
For Karen, a summer job at age 18 during college breaks would later turn into being part of Allenberry and the Heinze family. Karen was hired by Jane Heinze, her future mother-in-law, as a server. After marriage to Jane's son, Allen, and two children later, she continues to work at Allenberry. Karen now manages the swimming pool. Maintaining a safe environment where our patrons are able to enjoy the beauty of the pool area is her priority. Karen keeps busy in the off season as a preschool teacher at her church.

Who comes to APTC?
APTC is a co-ed program for young artists between the ages of 10 and 17 who have a passion for performing arts. Participants generally live within a driving distance of two or three hours from Boiling Springs, PA. We welcome groups of friends and individuals equally and focus on creating non-exclusive interactions during the program.

Who are the instructors? What's the staff/participant ratio?
Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory employs high energy, cheerful, creative and dynamic professionals from all across the United States. They have a diverse background of education and experience, and are First Aid and CPR certified. We strive to create a ratio of one professional for every four students.

What is expected of me?
We expect you to follow the Golden Rule. You are expected to act in consideration of others, be mindful of APTC counselors and associates. You are expected to interact with your fellow APTC participants from a place of inclusion, kindness, support, and good humor. You are expected to make choices with respect for the framework and policies of the program. A positive attitude and a mindset of teamwork, flexibility and cooperation is a must.

We keep cell phones, valuables and extra money locked away in participants' rooms during the day. You accept full responsibility for the safety and condition of such items.

How do I get to Allenberry?
Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse is located at 1559 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs, PA 17007. You can search for directions online, click the "Directions" link in the sidebar under "Allenberry Info" or call the front desk (717.258.3211) for directions.

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