Touchstone Theatre will host the 3rd Annual Young Playwrights' Festival on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Diamond Theater located in Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University.

This unique night of theatre features original works by elementary through high school student participants of Touchstone's Young Playwrights' Lab residency. Professional members of the Touchstone Ensemble and community actors will perform the students' one-act plays on stage in an evening that will tickle your funny bone, expand your imagination, and enhance the power of creative expression.

Following the Festival performance, friends are invited to experience Touchstone Theatre’s first annual Gala Dessert Reception in Zoellner’s uniquely intimate Art Gallery. The reception is designed to celebrate and cap off a wonderful evening as well as raise funds to support Touchstone's mission. Mingle with fellow supporters of the Festival, join a tribute to the young playwrights, bid on exciting and unique auction packages or just dig in and enjoy the assortment of luscious desserts, wine, and coffee for a truly special evening for all. Dress is casually elegant.

The Young Playwrights' Lab residency involves public school children, ages 9 -18, from around the Lehigh Valley who participate in this one-of-a-kind collaborative project. Led by Touchstone Ensemble Members, students challenge the notion that the only way to learn is through textbooks and testing. Over the course of the residency, guided by Touchstone’s professional artists, each student composes a full scene, which is expanded into a one-act play.

On May 3, the Young Playwrights' Festival will showcase a diverse cross-section of plays produced by Touchstone Theatre and performed by professional and community actors. Sometimes funny… sometimes bittersweet, but always insightful and entertaining, these plays capture the true voices of children and bring to life an evening of theatre unlike any you have ever experienced.

Founded in 1981 as a professional, not-for-profit Ensemble theatre, Touchstone produces and presents original and classic theatre. In addition, Touchstone’s talented Ensemble brings innovative educational programs to local schools and develops theatre-based programs that foster cultural, international, and community collaborations.

The committee working on the event includes: Gil Stauffer, Frank Shipman, Denise Stangl, Sharon Yoshida, Amy Meleck, Karla Stingerstein, Vicki Haller and Margie Anich.

Supporting the power of community arts education that teaches positive means of self expression to our community's youth has never tasted so good! Cost for the Festival and the Gala Dessert Reception is $75 per person. Performance seats only are $10. Sponsorships are available. For info call Amy Meleck at 610- 867-1689 or go to www.touchstone.org.