Touchstone Theatre Receives R.K. Laros Foundation Matching Grant

The South Side's Touchstone Theatre celebrates the coming of their 35th anniversary season with the fulfillment of a $15,000 matching challenge grant from the R.K. Laros Foundation. The match was pledged in June 2014 and was successfully completed last month. The grant and matching funds will be used to replace the theatre's 25-year-old seating in the fall of 2015.

Founded in 1952, the R.K. Laros Foundation was established by Russell K. and Helen K. Laros, with the intention to support community non-profit organizations serving the arts, education, the environment, health, historical preservation, and public and human services. The Foundation has a strong commitment to the Greater Bethlehem Community, with preference towards projects with diverse, lasting community impact.

Over the last three-plus decades, the R.K. Laros Foundation has supported Touchstone's work in the community, with the earliest gift dating back to 1983 for a new sound system. Since then, grants have included replacing the stage floor and supporting structural work on the building, including major brick and façade repair.

R. Keller Laros III, Chair of the Foundation says, "The R.K. Laros Foundation has been a long supporter of Touchstone Theatre. We believe in their mission and look forward to the impact this much needed update will have on Touchstone in the years to come."

After the announcement of the $15,000 pledge from Laros, matching money has come in from a variety of sources over the course of Touchstone's 2014-15 season. The completed matching pledge is supported by gifts from Air Products, Northampton County General Purpose Authority, and many of the theatre's patrons.

Touchstone Managing Director Lisa Jordan adds, "I love that our group of supporters is so diverse. Foundation, corporation, county, patrons, and company members - what a wonderful combination of supporters reflective of our community."

Touchstone Theatre's 35th anniversary season begins September 17, 2015, with renovation plans for the seats, carpet, and painting, to be completed in time for the theatre's most attended show of the season, the annual Christmas City Follies.