After 25 years at the Banana Factory on Bethlehem’s south side, Pennsylvania Youth Theatre (PYT) is relocating to Bethlehem’s north side.

PYT is converting the former Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 2020 Worthington Avenue, Bethlehem.

The building was vacated when the church merged with two other congregations to create Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church at Rosemont, 1705 W. Broad St., Bethlehem.

PYT bought the 21,000-square-foot building in October and since then, volunteers have removed the church pews and been hard at work sanding, doing repairs and prepping walls and floors.

“For the first time in 39 years, PYT has a building of its own,” PYT posted on social media. “We’re excited about this new adventure and look forward to continuing our legacy of providing quality programming for our students and community.”

PYT moved because the Banana Factory will be demolished in early 2025 to make way for ArtsQuest’s new cultural center, expected to be completed in late 2026.

The theater school has launched a $60,000 fundraising campaign to pay for installation of Marley floors in the studios, studio mirrors, and to help with relocation costs, according to Jill Dunn Jones, PYT Artistic Director.

PYT Managing Director is Valerie Reinhardt. PYT Production Manager is Braden Drake. PYT Program Director is Darah Donaher.

Classes and rehearsals will remain at the Banana Factory through December and begin at the new location Jan. 13. The school offers drama, voice and dance classes for children ages 3 to 18.

Information: 123pyt.org

Cabaret-style holiday entertainment is on tap at two Allentown theaters.

Civic Theatre will debut “Vixen’s Holiday Speakeasy,” Dec. 13 - 22, Civic Theatre514.

Between the Lines Studio Theater is staging “Ho Ho Holiday,” Dec. 14.

Created by Civic Theatre of Allentown Managing Artistic Director William Sanders and Civic Theatre of Allentown Associate Artistic director Rae Labadie, “Vixen’s Holiday Speakeasy” encompasses holiday songs, skits and classic stories with a twist for adult audiences. Music Direction is by Todd Dean.

“Vixen’s Holiday Speakeasy” features performances by Quisha Farrell, Rose Fortkamp, Miki Fuentes, Special K, Marley Mathaias, Mason McGowan, Dylan Miller, Nico Rodriguez and Lamont Versace.

Theatre514 has been transformed into a speakeasy lounge with cabaret-style entertainment including holiday-themed burlesque, singers, comic acts, drag performances and signature cocktails.

Attendees must be 18 or older to enter and 21 or older to drink alcoholic beverages. The Dec. 19 performance is pay-what-you-will.

“Vixen’s Holiday Speakeasy,” 8 p.m. Dec. 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, Civic Theatre of Allentown, Theatre514,514 N. 19th St., Allentown. 610.433.8903, https://civictheatre.com/

Between the Lines Studio Theatre is holding its own cabaret with “Ho Ho Holiday,” 7 p.m. Dec. 14.

The show stars Adam Newborn, a teaching artist at Between the Lines Studio Theatre, who will host and perform in drag. The party will include holiday spirits, snacks and an opportunity for mingling.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Eastern Pennsylvania Trans Equity Project.

Newborn is one of the teaching artists who are part of Between the Lines’ partnership with AfterWords Actors Studio to offer classes and workshops. Beginning in January, the two studios will jointly hold classes in audition preparation, scene study and beginning and advanced acting at Between the Lines Studio Theatre.

Between the Lines plans to bring back its monologue Mondays and host weekly drop-in workshops by area artists.

“Ho Ho Holiday,” 7 p.m. Dec. 14, Between the Lines Studio Theatre, 725 N. 15th St., Allentown. https://betweenthelinestheatre.com/

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com