THE STEEL FESTIVAL IN BETHLEHEM, PA
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COMMUNITY ARTS NETWORK -API NEWS ARTICLE
Dear Visitor:
For the past two years, I have been a collaborator on a project in Bethlehem, PA involving Touchstone Theatre , Cornerstone Theater , and Bethlehem Steel which closed its last operations on March 27, 1998. The project, which commissioned me to compose original music for the play STEEL BOUND, and to arrange 10 songs for the STEEL CHOIR, resulted in THE STEEL FESTIVAL, Sept. 9-19, 1999. The festival events are described below. The project was also featured on CBS Sunday Morning on Sunday, Sept. 12, 1999.
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Touchstone Theatre’s Steel Festival: The Art of an Industry
For the past century, steel has been the defining industry for the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Now this era is at an end and the city finds itself at a critical time of transition and transformation.
Touchstone Theatre in collaboration with Lehigh University, Bethlehem Steel, the City of Bethlehem, local artists, business and civic organizations will produce a multi-arts festival that looks back at the
legacy of steel making and looks ahead to the creation of a new civic identity. Through its use of theatre, song, storytelling and visual arts, this festival will demonstrate how the arts can provide the means for a community to understand itself, its past and its future.
The Performances
Steel Bound adapted by Alison Carey with music by Ysaye M. Barnwell
Touchstone Theatre, in collaboration with Cornerstone Theater Company
and composer Ysaye Barnwell, have created a modern day adaptation of
the story of Prometheus, the Greek god who gave fire to humankind. This
spectacular play will be performed by Touchstone’s Ensemble in unison
with 74 community members, many of whom worked or had relatives that
worked in the mill.
Iron Foundry, Bethlehem Steel
Pouring the Sun
World renowned storyteller Jay O’Callahan, has interviewed over 75
steelworkers in the past three years. Listen as he tells the story of
one family. In doing so, he captures the legacy of the thousands of
people who came to this country and whose lives became intertwined with
both the steel industry and the labor movement.
Songwriter Project
Local singer-songwriters auditioned to work under the creative direction
of nationally acclaimed songwriter, Bob Franke. Ten were selected and
over the past year and a half they have gathered stories and created
music, and a community, that resonates our heritage. A CD, SONGS OF STEEL,was released on Sept. 10, 1999.
Steel Choir
A newly formed community choir performs traditional, ethnic, folk and labor songs, as well as contemporary songs which emerged from the Songwriter Project.
The choir is directed by Beverly Morgan and much or the music has arranged by Ysaye Barnwell.Films on Steel
Films by Bruce Ward, John Pettegrew, Scott Snell and students at Lehigh University were shown during the festival.
Stories of Steel
An entertaining and educational family show tells the story of the science, history and people of steelmaking will continue to be staged even after the festival ends.
CATALOG
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