Touchstone Theatre Will Present 21st Annual YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS' FESTIVAL

Touchstone Theatre will present the twenty-first year of its acclaimed Young Playwrights' Festival. This showcase of short plays written by local elementary and middle school students in the theatre's Young Playwrights' Lab takes place on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3pm.

Presented in partnership with the Bethlehem Area School District, the Festival will be held in the modern 800-seat theatre inside Northeast Middle School, located at 1170 Fernwood Street in Bethlehem.

Young Playwrights Lab is an eight-week arts and literacy residency program that utilizes theatre to create a safe space for students' creative self expression and improving attitudes towards writing. Over the course of the program, students participate in improvisation, writing exercises, and collaborative feedback, culminating with each student writing an original one-act play to be considered for the annual Young Playwrights' Festival. While the plays often have fun, whimsical elements like aliens, princesses, robots or talking animals, the plays also delve into universal themes like love, resilience, family and bravery in the face of adversity.  

This year, over 150 plays were submitted as a result of the program, with four earning the highest honor as finalists that receive a fully-realized stage production at the festival.  Three plays will be partially produced pieces; and six runner ups will have a brief scene or dialogue performed onstage. Plays and scenes will be directed by various Touchstone company members and special guest directors Amy Putlock (Broughal Middle School) and Darah Donaher (NCC Theatre Professor and Touchstone Board Member). The shows will be performed by Touchstone actors, community performers, and students from area schools. 

FINALISTS

Rock, Scissors, And… by Keagen Frendt of Broughal Middle School, directed by Amber Charest. You've heard the rules of Rock, Paper and Scissors, but what if Paper could be victorious over Rock? 

Adam Meets Eve by Sofia Hernandez of Freemansburg Elementary, directed by Amy Putlock. A reimagined twist on the fateful meeting of the two beings that kickstarted the human race.

The Last Three Days by Ben Harney of Nitschmann Middle School, directed by Darah Donaher. What if you only had three days left on Earth? How would you spend them, and who would you want by your side?

The Dream by Zori Sawyer of Spring Garden Elementary, directed by Matt Prideaux. A young girl must thwart a powerful villain planning to crush the dreams of everyone on Earth.

SEMIFINALISTS

The IKEA is Gone but the Dragons are Not by Mia Sanchez Tejeda of Northeast Middle School, The Queen of Charity by Julia Bombard of Farmersville Elementary and Mars by Julia Coyle of Lincoln Elementary, directed by Lisa Jordan.

RUNNERS-UP

The Wolf and Willow by Nicole Young-Rivera of William Penn Elementary, Katve's Adventures by Eva Williamson of James Buchanan Elementary, The Bow Fiasco by Layla Lopez of Donegan Elementary, Sassy Girl by Leslie Perez of Fountain Hill Elementary, A Dessert Mystery by Tyler Evans of Thomas Jefferson Elementary, and The Pizza Place Killer by Zecheriah Broughton Jr. of Governor Wolfe Elementary, directed by Touchstone Artistic Director Jp Jordan.

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

The Story of Zink by Nathaniel Strausser of Governor Wolfe Elementary.

“We are thrilled to have given a platform to young, creative minds in the Lehigh Valley for over 20 years,” says Mary Wright, Touchstone's Education Director. “The Young Playwrights' Festival is a culmination of students' hard work and passion for imagination, and we are honored to celebrate their artistic triumphs as a community by bringing their work to the stage.”

Additionally, Touchstone will receive any donor support towards its mission of artistically inspiring the next generation. For the second year in a row, we have received a generous pledge from The Cinquino Family, meaning that every donation made between now and June 15 will be matched up to a total of $7,500. Donate now at touchstone.org to double the impact for the hundreds of students served through Touchstone's arts education programs!

The Young Playwrights' Festival Naming Sponsor is Peron Development. Touchstone's season is sponsored by Astound Broadband. Print sponsorship is provided by Working Dog Press and media sponsorship is provided by WDIY 88.1FM Lehigh Valley Public Radio and Lehigh Valley with Love. Touchstone is also generously supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

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