“We hope it becomes a place where people feel inspired, connected and at home.” – Joe & Corey Bergstein
For Joe and Corey Bergstein, a theater is about much more than what happens on stage.
It’s a place where a child might see their first performance. Where an emerging artist might step in front of an audience for the first time. Where families laugh together, students discover something new and members of the community gather for an experience they won’t soon forget.
Soon, those moments will have a new home inside the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL.
The Joe & Corey Bergstein Theater, an intimate, 150-seat performing arts venue, will become a hub for comedy, live performances, educational experiences, school field trips, community gatherings and private events. For the Bergsteins, longtime ArtsQuest supporters and Lehigh Valley natives, supporting the theater through ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign was an opportunity to invest not simply in a new building, but in what can happen within it.
“We were inspired by the vision behind the Creative Factory and by what it represents for the future of the Lehigh Valley,” Joe and Corey said. “ArtsQuest has always been about more than performances or events—it is about bringing people together, creating opportunity and helping communities imagine what is possible.”
Investing in Possibility
The Bergsteins have watched the Lehigh Valley evolve significantly over the years—from a region closely identified with its industrial heritage into one increasingly known for arts and culture, restaurants, festivals, education and quality of life.
They’ve also watched ArtsQuest help drive that evolution.
From Musikfest and SteelStacks to visual arts, education, music, comedy and community events, the couple points to ArtsQuest’s ability to make artistic experiences accessible to people from across the community as one of the reasons the organization has remained meaningful to them.
“The arts have been central to that transformation,” they said. “They help define a community’s personality and spirit. ArtsQuest has helped make the Lehigh Valley more dynamic, more welcoming and more connected.”
That connection is central to what drew them to the new theater.
“A performing arts space is special because it is built around human connection,” they said. “It gives people a place to gather, learn, laugh, perform, listen and be inspired.”
The theater’s versatility was equally important. One evening might bring nationally touring and regional comedians to the stage; the next day could welcome students for an educational program. Other days could feature live performances, community gatherings or private events.
“We love that it will not serve just one purpose,” the Bergsteins said. “That kind of flexibility makes it a true community asset.”
A Place Where Young People Belong
For Corey, the possibilities for students have particular meaning.
A former elementary and middle school reading teacher, she has seen firsthand how creative experiences can help young people develop confidence, curiosity and their own voices.
“When students experience theater, music, performance, comedy, storytelling or visual arts, they are not just being entertained,” Corey said. “They are learning how to express themselves, how to listen, how to see the world through someone else’s eyes and how to believe that their own voice matters.”
Her hope is that a student’s first visit to the theater could become the beginning of something much bigger.
“I hope they walk away thinking, ‘I could do that,’ or ‘I want to learn more,’ or ‘This is a place where I belong,'” she said. “For some students, a single experience in the arts can open a door that changes how they see themselves and their future.”
Imagining What’s Next
Joe has seen ArtsQuest’s evolution from a different vantage point through his involvement with the organization and his service as Chair of its Board of Trustees.
To him, the Creative Factory represents both a continuation of ArtsQuest’s mission and an ambitious step forward.
“ArtsQuest has always been an organization that brings big ideas to life, and the Creative Factory is another example of that boldness and vision,” Joe said. “It represents a deeper commitment to education, accessibility, creativity and community programming.”
It’s also an investment intended to endure.
“It will expand ArtsQuest’s capacity to serve students, artists, audiences, families and community partners,” he said. “It is about building something that will matter not just today, but for many years to come.”
That idea of imagining what could be is also at the heart of how Joe defines creativity. For Corey, creativity is closely tied to learning—giving young people the confidence to find their voice and new ways of understanding the world. For Joe, it’s the ability to envision possibilities that don’t yet exist, whether in art, leadership, community building or economic revitalization.
“For both of us, creativity is deeply human,” they said. “It helps people connect with one another, tell their stories and build something meaningful together.”
A Theater that Belongs to the Community
Ultimately, Joe and Corey hope the theater bearing their names doesn’t feel as though it belongs to them.
They hope it belongs to everyone.
They envision first performances and school visits, family outings and memorable shows, laughter and learning. Most importantly, they hope people entering the space feel welcome and see possibilities for themselves there.
“We hope future generations feel that this theater belongs to the community,” they said. “We hope it becomes a place filled with meaningful memories.”
Their support of the Creative Factory is also an extension of a broader philosophy about philanthropy. They encourage others interested in making a difference to begin not with the size of a contribution, but with what matters to them.
“You do not have to start with a major gift,” they said. “You can attend events, volunteer, advocate, serve on a committee, introduce others to the organization or make a contribution at a level that is right for you. Every form of support matters.”
For the Bergsteins, supporting the Creative Factory connects many of the things they care about most: creativity, education, opportunity and the future of the place they call home.
“We hope this project becomes a source of pride for the region,” they said. “We hope it opens doors for students, supports artists, welcomes families, strengthens the SouthSide and broader Lehigh Valley, and helps people experience the arts in new and meaningful ways.”
And when the lights come up in the Joe & Corey Bergstein Theater for the first time, their greatest hope is remarkably simple:
“We hope it becomes a place where people feel inspired, connected and at home.”