Touchstone Theatre Presents Concert Reading Of New Play Written by Moravian College Faculty

Christopher Shorr, Director of Theatre at Moravian College, has recently completed "Clytemnestra's Daughters," an original work adapted from the ancient Greek plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Issues of power and powerlessness among the women in the story is the main focus. A concert reading will take place at 8pm on Thursday, January 28, at Touchstone Theatre (321 E. 4th Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015); there is no charge to attend.

Clytemnestra's Daughters is based on an aggressive re-working of three tragedies by Greek playwrights: Aeschylus' "The Oresteia"; Sophocles' "Electra"; and Euripides' "Iphigenia at Aulis." It deals with Agamemnon and Clytemnestra's family during the time of the Trojan War. Shorr explains, "This play has been a part of my life for several years - before coming to Moravian, I was the founding artistic director of Sycamore Rouge, a theatre in Virginia. While I was there, we did a similar piece called "Agamemnon's Daughters." I felt there was so much more to explore in terms of family, duty, and power dynamics, that I decided to create another version of the story."

The concert reading represents one facet of an ongoing collaboration between Touchstone Theatre and the Moravian College Theatre Company. The reading, which will take place with actors sitting at music stands, includes a cast of 10-12 actors including Touchstone Ensemble members, Touchstone Apprentices, Moravian College students, and members of the Bethlehem community.

Lisa Jordan, Producing Director of Touchstone Theatre, explains that the Touchstone is delighted to be working with Moravian. "We are always looking for opportunities to collaborate with other arts organizations. This area is so full of creative individuals and groups, and the more we build on that strength, the more we will become known for it - here in the Valley and beyond. We especially enjoy working with Christopher and the students at Moravian because we share an artistic sensibility - our work is complementary, and that helps the ideas to really start to flow."

Celebrating nearly 30 years, Touchstone Theatre produces and presents both original and classic productions, with a dedication to the renewal of theatre as a vital art form. Touchstone works to foster collaboration on a local and national level through educational and youth empowerment programs, using theatre as a community-building tool. Visit us on the web at www.touchstone.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.