User:Princessmordrellyn/Touchstone Theatre (Bethlehem, PA)

Touchstone Theatre is an ensemble theatre located in Bethlehem in the Lehigh Valley Region of Eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. Located near Lehigh University for the past 30 years Touchstone has been dedicated to being an active force in the revival of theatre as a vital art form. Touchstone is a producing and presenting arts organization that fosters inter-cultural, international and community collaborations. According to the mission statement posted on their website the mission is “to create, produce, and present original theatre; tour original and ensemble created work; provide educational programs to local youth and demonstrate the power of theatre as a community-building tool.”

History
Touchstone's founding members were part of a series of improvisational bilingual street theatre troupes made up of professional artists, university students, local teachers and teens. These troupes brought an immediate and intimate form of theatre to neighborhoods and parks in order to acknowledge, engage and celebrate low-income Latino and Anglo populations.

In 1981, Touchstone founders Bill and Bridget George and Lorraine Zeller decided to build a resident professional ensemble that would be charged with creating original movement-based theatre. Their artistic philosophy was first drawn from John Pearson's improvisational street theatre troupe at Lehigh University, and then developed during the tenure of the People's Theatre Company, founded by Bill and Bridget George, Barbara Pearson, and Ricardo Viera. Touchstone was a professional touring mime troupe creating and performing mostly non-verbal pieces. As in the improvisational street theatre troupes, the actors generated the scripts.

The company strove to reach audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds in diverse settings, using the universal language of gesture and image rather than words. Set, costumes and lighting were simple and portable. The unencumbered performance of the actor was considered to be the highest production value. The company trained in movement and dance and taught theatre workshops and residencies in schools, prisons and recreational facilities. They developed and rehearsed new work in the founders' backyard garage, and toured to traditional audiences in theatre spaces as well as new audiences in non-theatre settings regionally, nationally and internationally.

In 1987, the board and company raised community support to renovate an abandoned 19th century firehouse into an intimate 72-seat home theatre still rooted on Bethlehem's multi-ethnic, multi-lingual South Side where the founders lived and performed. With their own space, Touchstone evolved into a regional theatre company producing and presenting a subscription season of original plays for all ages. The heart of their artistic process has continued to be the ensemble's involvement in the entire process of theatre production, from playwrighting to performing.

Program Activities
Touchstone’s programming is brought to the public and schools through the coordinated efforts of an ensemble who oversee production, education and touring programs supported by college graduate apprentices. Production offer a season of main stage performances for the general public including contemporary, classic and original ensemble-created works at the theatre’s headquarters. Production partners with theater artists throughout the country to create original, community building works. Public reading, talkbacks, workshops stem from each season to deepen experiences. Space rentals allow local arts groups to perform in the theatre at affordable prices. Education exposes local youth to the arts, teaching theatre as a positive means for self-expression. It is comprised of a school based visiting artist program (Arts Touch). Arts Touch includes the young playwrights’ lab and building bridges. Camp Touchstone is a tow week summer camp for 8-13 year olds exploring the process of creating original theatre. Touring brings Touchstone productions to schools, festivals, community centers, and other venues. Touring offers traveling performances for adults and children.

Community Collaboration
Touchstone looks to area residents for inspiration in developing new work. Christmas City Follies, Steelbound, The Southside Experience, Lehigh Valley African Heritage History Project, and Don Quixote of Bethlehem were created through collaborations with the community utilizing their stories/experiences to keep their history alive. Since Touchstone's inception, the theatre has produced and presented over 220 productions locally, nationally, and internationally. They present themselves as an active part in their community.