TOUCHSTONE THEATRE SOCIETY

The Society's mandate is to produce develop and present professional Canadian Theatre Productions. The Society fulfills its mandate by producing and presenting a season of Canadian plays by Indigenous newcomer and settler voices and by supporting the development of new Canadian plays and playwrights. Our ongoing programs include: mentoring and supporting emerging playwrights through workshops and masterclasses via our emerging playwrights cohort; our Flying Start program which occurs in 2 phases - Phase 1 focuses on development dramaturgy and workshops with professional actors and ongoing mentorship with the playwright during the writing process. Phase 2: the play is fully realized on stage in a professional production. Our current Flying Start project is currently in Phase 1 with a full production of the piece scheduled for Spring 2026. The 2023/2024 Touchstone season explored climate change the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and Indigenous comedy. Pippa Mackie’s hit 'Hurricane Mona' comically considered eco-terrorism. Christopher Morris’s 'The Runner' was cancelled due to concerns raised by Palestinian artist Basel Zaraa. Anishinaabe writer Herbie Barnes’ 'Father Tartuffe: An Indigenous Misadventure' was co-directed by Quelemia Sparrow (Musqueam) and Roy Surette. This successful collaboration assembled 9 of 10 Indigenous performers and several designers. Dorothy Dittrich’s 'When We Were Singing' considered friendship in a changing world.