EVENTS

From Page to Stage – Championing Young Voices

Young Playwrights’ Lab programming brings the magic of performance into the classroom by guiding students through the process of writing their own original one-act plays. Each year, a group of exceptional plays is chosen to be produced at the Young Playwrights’ Festival. Selected plays are lovingly designed and directed by one of our ensemble members/associates, and performed onstage by community and professional actors. There’s nothing like it in the Lehigh Valley!

What Is Young Playwrights’ Lab?

Twenty-two years ago, Touchstone created the Young Playwrights’ Lab as a way to bring the magic of performance into the classroom. Focused on improving attitudes towards literacy and boosting self-esteem and creative expression, our program guides the students through the process of writing their own original one-act plays. Using a combination of improvisations, theater games, and writing exercises, our teaching artists provide the tools our students need to flourish and grow into full-fledged playwrights. Each year, we select the most exceptional plays to be produced at our annual Young Playwrights’ Festival. Come join us and celebrate as our professional artists bring the students’ beautifully imagined worlds and delightfully creative characters to life!

WHAT TO EXPECT

VENUE: Northeast Middle School is located at 1170 Fernwood Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018

RUN TIME: 90 minutes

PARKING/TRANSPORTATION: There are two entrances into the parking lot via Minsi Trail and Fernwood streets; see below for more specific directions. In addition to the ample parking lot, there is also street parking available surrounding the school on Minsi Trail Street, Fernwood Street, and Washington Ave. For those not driving, there are bike racks outside the theater entrance, and LANTA has several bus lines that service this area, including lines 102, 108, and 312.

• MINSI TRAIL STREET entrance
  1. Turn into the entrance off of Minsi Trail Street. There is a sign for Northeast Middle School at the entrance, which also indicates the direction of the auditorium.
  2. Follow the signs to the auditorium, then park and walk to the entrance.
  3. Look for a sandwich board and balloons at the entrance of the Northeast Middle School Theatre

• FERNWOOD STREET (starts as or turns into LINWOOD STREET depending on which direction you come from)
  1. Turn into the entrance off of Fernwood Street.
  2. The auditorium is on the right, and the parking lot is ahead.
  3. Look for a sandwich board and balloons at the entrance of the Northeast Middle School Theatre.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Accessible seating and restrooms are available. Parking is available in designated handicap spots next to the venue. Touchstone strives to create an environment where all members of our community, of all abilities, feel welcome. Please contact (610) 867-1689 or via email at touchstone@touchstone.org to request accessibility accommodations in advance.

[Image description: We are placed inside a pastel colored world filled with magic and adventure. In front of us, a winding trail travels past mountain peaks, deep forests, lush meadows, and off into the far distance. Scattered throughout this pastel landscape are various figures, presented in a more realistic style. Some of these figures include: a little girl holding a doll, an evil scientist, a Greek god, a frightened turtle, a robot, and three silly monsters. Above everything, we see the words “TOUCHSTONE THEATRE’S 22nd Annual YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS’ FESTIVAL” floating in the bright blue sky between two strings of colorful pennants.]