Touchstone Theatre presents Sixth Annual Young Playwrights’ Festival 5/21

This year, Touchstone Theatre's sixth annual showcase of new plays written by local elementary and middle schools will be held at Baker Hall, the main stage at Zoellner Arts Center on Lehigh University's campus. The Young Playwrights' Festival will be held on May 21 at 7:00 pm, with a gala reception in the Lehigh University Art Galleries immediately following the performance.

Once a year, Touchstone Theatre showcases the creative talents of Lehigh Valley students who participate in the Young Playwrights' Lab, an eight-week program crafted by Touchstone teaching artists to inspire literacy among students. The program teaches the value of creative expression and culminates in each of the participant students writing his or her own one-act play. At the conclusion of the program, a collection of plays are chosen to represent the work of all the students and are then performed by Touchstone actors, local performers, and often students from their own schools. The one-act plays are directed by the Touchstone Ensemble and special guests, this year including George Miller of Selkie Theatre and Christopher Morris of the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts.

The ever-growing program originally hosted the night of the Festival in the 75-seat house at Touchstone Theatre and eventually moved to Zoellner Arts Center's Diamond Theatre. Due to the increasing number of schools involved and sold-out shows year after year, this year's Young Playwrights' Festival will be held in the larger performance space of Baker Hall, a stage that has hosted international stars from Yo-Yo Ma to Queen Latifah, and performances ranging from the Bach Choir to the national tour of Spamalot.

Participant schools this year include Central Elementary, Freemansburg Elementary, South Mountain Middle, Nitschmann Middle, East Hills Middle, and Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School. Through improvisation, basic theatre skills, character creation, and extensive writing exercises, the students and Touchstone teaching artists instructing them worked to challenge the notion that the only way to learn is through textbooks and testing.
"I have watched withdrawn and shy students turn into creative and imaginative actors, directors, and playwrights," reports Jo Jackson, a teacher at East Hills Middle School. "Through a variety of theatre games, the students have become a like-minded community of young, enthusiastic performers and writers. This experience has become a delightful one for me, and I find myself looking forward to each session. I consider it to be a privilege to be a part of this outstanding program."

After the performance, the celebration of creative expression and arts education moves down to the Lehigh University Art Galleries for a Gala Dessert Reception and Live Auction. Attendees enjoy decadent desserts and wine, view the current exhibit, and join the bidding for one-of-a-kind items, cultural experiences, and luxury services.

Gala tickets are $75 and include admission to the performance. All proceeds benefit Touchstone and its ArtsTouch educational programs. Gala attendance is limited to 100 tickets, and early reservations are encouraged.
"To many loyal supporters of this program, the Young Playwrights' Festival is the most magical night of theatre of the year," says Lou Cinquino, Festival Committee Chair. "And the Gala Reception that follows the performance makes it possible for Touchstone to maintain this program - one of the Valley's signature school-based arts education programs."

The Young Playwrights' Festival takes place on Saturday, May 21 at 7:00 pm at Baker Hall in Zoellner Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for the performance, $75 for gala and performance, with group rates available. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 610-867-1689, or online at www.lvartsboxoffice.org. For more insights into the Young Playwrights' Lab, check out the blog at www.touchstoneypl.wordpress.com.