.png)
THE STORY OF US
The Guatemala Academy of Performing Arts, lovingly known as GAPA, is a place for you. For me. For everyone.
Founded in 2021 by Allison and Paden Lipe, GAPA exists to create a space where everyone belongs: a space where everyone has a seat at the table. In the beginning, we were a theatre company with a team of two, trying to provide performance opportunities for students and families in Guatemala. Knowing that this is a country where English-language theatre is nearly impossible to come by, we wanted to create a one-of-a-kind theatre for people of all ages.
​
This is our heart at GAPA. A few years down the road, almost 10 MainStage productions under our belt, and having performed for thousands all across Guatemala: we can confidently say that we have something very special going on here at GAPA.
​
Whether it's serving on the crew, performing on the stage, sitting in the audience, or supporting us from afar: there is a place for you here.
About
Our Founder
I will never forget sitting in my high school theatre teacher's office, crying on the floor...trying to figure out what in the world I wanted to do with my life.
"Study theatre!", she enthusiastically told me. "Don't waste the gifts God has given you."
​
That conversation was the beginning of where I am today as the founder & current director of The Guatemala Academy of Performing Arts.
​
As a little girl, I dreamt of being on stage - of being an actress. However, living in Latin America with my parents (who run a non-profit), this was never a reality for me: until we moved to Guatemala, that is. The first day at my new school, I saw signups for the fall musical. I was the first person to sign my name on the sheet! From that moment on, theatre became my home.
​
After graduating high school and going on to college to pursue theatre, I knew I wanted to return to Guatemala and do for others what my high school theatre teacher did for me.
​
Theatre inspires, it challenges, it lives & breathes & moves within us all - and it is one of my life's greatest honors to be here and to make magical memories with hundreds of young artists. I strongly believe I was divinely created by God to create. My art tells the story I have deep within my soul: that there is a God who sees the worst parts of us, and radically loves us still.
​
I am confident that the best is yet to come for GAPA. Thank you for joining us on this wild journey!
​
-Allison
