Touchstone Theatre is a professional theatre company in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, founded in 1976 by a group of University of British Columbia theatre graduates. Touchstone's focus is on the development and production of work by Canadian Playwrights (newcomer, Indigenous, and settler). . Touchstone is currently under the artistic leadership of Lois Anderson (AD) and Libby Willoughby (GM/Producer). Former artistic directors are Ian Fenwick, Gordon McCall, John Cooper, Katrina Dunn, and Roy Surette.

Activities

Touchstone Theatre's stated mandate is that it "develops and presents professional theatrical productions. We explore the contemporary Canadian play through content and form. We stimulate public interest in Canadian cultural perspectives."

In fulfillment of its mandate, much of Touchstone's activities have fallen into one of three categories: it mounts premiere productions of plays by British Columbian playwrights; it mounts second productions of important plays that premiered in other areas of Canada; and it produces works developed within the company. Touchstone has helped launch and develop the careers of numerous playwrights and actors. Touchstone, with the Playwrights Theatre Centre, also fosters the creation of new works through its "Flying Start" initiative (previously the "Playwright in Residence" program). Under the program, Touchstone spends two years working with a playwright to develop a play through workshops and dramaturgy to production.

Since 2011, in partnership with the Arts Club Theatre Company, Touchstone produces the "In Tune Conference", which supports new Canadian musicals in a national event which takes place every two years.

History

As of its 40th anniversary in the 2015–2016 season, Touchstone will have produced 36 World Premiers and works by 42 Canadian playwrights. Touchstone has helped launch and develop the careers of numerous playwrights and actors.

At the start of the 1997–1998 season, Katrina Dunn succeeded Roy Surette as artistic director. Dunn created the "Playwright in Residence" program, which has resulted in many plays, including Kevin Kerr's Governor General's Awards-winning Unity (1918). In 2010, the Touchstone program focussed on female Canadian playwrights.

In 2003, Touchstone partnered with Rumble Productions to found the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, a performing arts festival held every January in Vancouver, BC.

Awards Touchstone's body of work has garnered many awards and nominations, including numerous Jessie Awards. By the end of Touchstone's 38th season in 2014, Touchstone had earned 106 Jessie nominations and won 57 Jessie Awards.

In 2010, Artistic Director Katrina Dunn was recognized by the Women's Caucus of the Playwrights Guild of Canada, who awarded Dunn with its "Bra D'Or" for supporting and promoting the work of Canadian female playwrights.

Chronology of plays Touchstone Theatre had produced the following plays, some in partnership with other theatre companies.

1976/1977 The Exception & the Rule by Bertolt Brecht The Farce of Pierre Patelin by Anonymous King Stag by Carlo Gozzi 1977/1978 Faces in the Fast Lane A collective creation Broken Dolls A collective creation Gullband by Susan Musgrave 1978/1979 The Unseen Hand by Sam Shepard Hot Rods & Heavy Water by Michael Puttonen Angel City by Sam Shepard 1979/1980 HIGHBALL! by Ronald Weihs 1980/1981 Revenge by Howard Brenton Games by Ivan Klima 1981/1982 The Man Himself by Alan Drury The Crackwalker by Judith Thompson 1982/1983 The Wolf Boy by Brad Fraser Clay by Lawrence Jeffery 1983/1984 Children of the Night by Paul Ledoux Checkin’ Out by Kelly Rebar 1984/1985 Sex Tips for Modern Girls A collective creation White Biting Dog by Judith Thompson 1985/1986 Going Down for the Count by Peter Eliot Weiss El Crocodor A collective creation Nancy Prew: Clue in the Fast Lane by Beverley Cooper 1986/1987 Life Skills by David King Farther West by John Murrell 1987/1988 Red Channels by Jennifer Martin & Leslie Mildiner Zaydok by Dennis Foon Three Penny Opera by Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill 1988/1989 Bones by Peter Anderson Toronto, Mississippi by Joan MacLeod Jewel by Joan Macleod Lost Souls & Missing Persons by Sally Clark 1989/1990 Where is Kabuki? by Don Druik Homework & Curtains by John Lazarus Local Colour by David King 1990/1991 The Invisible Detective by Peter Eliot Weiss with song by Ken MacDonald and Morris Panych Unidentified Human Remains & The True Nature of Love by Brad Fraser 1991/1992 Lion in the Streets by Judith Thompson A Map of Senses by Gordon Armstrong 1992/1993 The Number 14 A collective creation The Hope Slide by Joan MacLeod Iceberg Lettuce by Katherine Schlemmer 1993/1994 Whale Riding Weather by Bryden MacDonald Lilies by Michel Marc Bouchard WAK! by Sheri-D Wilson and Savannah Walling 1994/1995 The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt The Erotic Art Show by Kathryn Allison 1995/1996 When We Were Singing by Dorothy Dittrich The Orphan Muses by Michel Marc Bouchard 1996/1997 Sex in Heaven by Gordon Armstrong Sled by Judith Thompson Boy Wonder (In partnership with Ballet British Columbia and Vancouver New Music) 1997/1998 The Weekend Healer by Bryden MacDonald Grace by Michael Lewis MacLennan 1998/1999 The Good Person of Setzuan by Bertolt Brecht, Marguerite Steffin and Ruth Berlau Passion by Conrad Alexandrowicz Cherry Docs by David Gow 1999/2000 It's All True by Jason Sherman Je me souviens by Lorena Gale 15 Seconds by François Archambault 2000/2001 Kilt by Jonathan Wilson Kicked by Michael Healey Unity(1918) by Kevin Kerr 2001/2002 Sucker Falls by Drew Hayden Taylor Emphysema by Janet Munsil Hosanna by Michel Tremblay 2002/2003 Lisa Lisa by Rick Dobran Apple by Vern Thiessen The Family Way by Kathleen Oliver 2003/2004 Unity(1918) by Kevin Kerr The League of Nathans by Jason Sherman 2004/2005 Strawberries in January by Evelyne de la Chenelière The Trigger by Carmen Aguirre 2005/2006 Little Mercy's First Murder Book & lyrics by Morwyn Brebner, music by Jay Turvey and Paul Sportelli Prodigal Son by Shawn Macdonald 2006/2007 Life After God by Michael Lewis MacLennan Hippies and Bolsheviks by Amiel Gladstone 2007/2008 How It Works by Daniel MacIvor The Dissemblers by Jason Bryden Tideline by Wajdi Mouawad, translated by Shelley Tepperman 2008/2009 Age of Arousal by Linda Griffiths East of Berlin by Hannah Moscovitch Influence by Janet Munsil Palace of the End by Judith Thompson 2009/2010 Any Night by Daniel Arnold, Medina Hahn and Ron Jenkins Demon Night by Shawn Macdonald Herr Beckmann's People by Sally Stubbs 2010/2011 Mimi (Or A Prisoner's Comedy) Lyrics and music by Allen Cole, book and lyrics by Melody Johnson and Rick Roberts Hard Core Logo: Live Adaptation by Michael Scholar Jr., based on the book by Michael Turner, film by Bruce McDonald, and screenplay by Noel S. Baker. Original Music by Joe Keithley, lyrics by Michael Turner Love Songs By Ana Sokolovic 2011/2012 Almighty Voice and His Wife by Daniel David Moses Goodness by Michael Redhill Shelter from the Storm by Peter Boychuk True Love Lies by Brad Fraser 2012/2013 Dancing With Rage by Mary Walsh Eternal Hydra by Anton Piatigorsky Haunted by Daniel Karasik In Tune Conference 2013/2014 Hirsh Created by Alon Nashman and Paul Thompson Night by Christopher Morris The Concessions by Briana Brown The Romeo Initiative by Trina Davies 2014/2015 In Tune 2015 Late Company by Jordan Tannahill The Road Forward Created by Marie Clements 2019/20 Certified by Jan Derbyshire

References

External links Touchstone Theatre website