Touchstone Theatre to Present 'Fresh Voices: Transformation,' 6/19-20

The Fresh Voices showcase returns to Touchstone Theatre on June 19 and 20, 2015. This annual showcase is a celebration of new theatre, featuring original works-in-progress by the 2014-15 Touchstone Apprentices, Remy Kayal and Anna Russell. The evening, centered around the theme Transformation, is composed of three original works in progress.

Touchstone's Apprenticeship Program selects emerging and transitioning artists to study within the company and learn about life as a professional ensemble theatre. Their work touches every aspect of the company and includes acting, stage management, playwriting, teaching, prop making, and more. Over the past fourteen years, Touchstone has graduated over 60 theatre artists from its program with over a decade of Fresh Voices productions.

"Fresh Voices is one of our season favorites," says Emma Chong, Touchstone Ensemble Member and apprentice coordinator. "We look forward to it every year, and our regular audiences do, too; it's inspiring to see the class of apprentices, year after year, really spread their wings and take off under their own power."

Each apprentice takes on creation of an original solo work. Russell's piece, "Address Delivered With Applause" takes a critical look into the mind and world of Deborah Sampson, a famous female soldier of the Revolutionary War, whose battles on and off the field still carry resonance today. Kayal performs "REALITY REMY: REMDOGG RETURNS," a unique, interactive storytelling experience in which the audience-encouraged to "Unplug. Tune in. And Howl" - participates in the creation of a piece of live art.

Together, the two create a third original piece collaboratively, a nonverbal movement piece exploring the things that keep us from connecting and the playfulness needed to overcome them.

Kayal comments, "The training and encouragement I have received during my apprenticeship has transformed the way I use my body as a physical instrument onstage and has strengthened my ability to create original pieces of art and original characters that resonate with me."

Russell agrees, adding, "In a way, my work in Fresh Voices is the product of my ongoing interest in the body's function as a vehicle for communication in theatrical art. In our collaborative piece, we embrace the power and benefits of physical expression; in my solo piece, I've explored its limitations."

Touchstone's season is sponsored locally by season sponsors First Generation and RCN. WDIY provides media sponsorship and Working Dog Press provides print sponsorship.

Fresh Voices: Transformation runs June 19 and 20, 2015, 8:00 pm at Touchstone Theatre. Tickets are Pay-What-You-Will at the door, with a suggested donation of $10 or can be purchased in advance for $10, available at (610) 867-1689 or www.touchstone.org.

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