BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It's performance art with a meaningful message.
Three Moravian University post-graduate student-actors teamed up with Touchstone Theatre to premiere productions that highlight disability, self-worth and creativity.
The local actors are members of the ensemble theatre's and Moravian's master of fine arts partnership, now in its fifth year, which lets students present their theses on stage.
The shows will span three weeks beginning Thursday, April 4.
'Finding himself'
First up in the series is Larry Mason's "Kicking That Boulder," a three-act play that explores disability, self image and perseverance.
The main character, Perry King, is an adolescent cancer survivor, a father and a husband.
But when he learns he is running out of time, he hides and spends his remaining days trying to prove how "strong" he is, while pushing everyone and everything aside.
Tickets, available at Touchstone's website, start at $5.
The show will take place at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5, at the Charles A. Brown Ice House on Sand Island at 56 River St., Bethlehem.
From outer space to the cave
Tyler Garrett's "Out of the Cave" explores small-town American life through the lens of Plato's "Allegory of the Cave."
Garrett, who played one of the HeadEye — two alienswho landed in Payrow Plaza last fall to kick off Touchstone's Festival UnBound — tells the story of Boy, a curious figure who runs away from his isolated society, set during the Cold War, and discovers a new world that may force him into exile.
After the three-act play, Garrett will lead a discussion and a local expert will discuss ideology and indoctrination.
The performances will occur at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11, and Friday, April 12, at Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem.
Jazzy, interactive games
Last in the series is Latrice Young's "Express Yourself: Intergenerational Play," a theatrical jazz-inspired interactive audience experience.
Young began working on her thesis six months ago through a series of workshops. Under Young's instruction, the audience will participate in a series of games designed to foster creative expression.
Entry is free, however attendees are asked to fill out a a pre-registration survey to collect data Young will use for her written thesis.
After the performance, the audience is invited to provide short reviews via audio and video about their experience with the games and the individual or collective narratives that were expressed.
The "Express Yourself" performances are set for 8 p.m. Saturday, April 20, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Touchstone Theatre.
