For almost five decades, Touchstone Theatre has been a mainstay of theatrical innovation and excellence on the West Coast. The company’s all-Canadian mandate has helped launch, develop and disseminate the works of some of the country’s most compelling playwrights and theatre artists, and its substantial body of work has garnered over 75 local and national awards.

Most of Touchstone’s activities have fallen into one of the following three categories: premiere productions of plays and musicals by local artists, second productions of important plays premiered in other regions of Canada, and innovative collective creations developed within the company. Within each category Touchstone has explored a wide variety of styles, and stayed true to the exploratory and celebratory spirit of the company. Originally founded as a collective, former Artistic Directors have included Ian Fenwick, Gordon McCall, John Cooper, and Katrina Dunn and current AD, Roy Surette.

With Rumble Productions, Touchstone co-founded the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, which has gone on to become one of the city’s most important cultural events. With the Playwrights Theatre Centre and now the Firehall Arts Centre, Touchstone birthed the Flying Start program which gives both development and a production opportunity to a new professional playwright.  It is the only program of its kind in the country, and is now run by Touchstone in association with the Firehall Arts Centre.  Often Touchstone shows are co-produced with other like-minded companies, collaborating to create larger-scaled works.

Now in its fifth decade of production, Touchstone remains a lightning rod of theatrical activity. Its purely Canadian focus makes it unique in its region, and its reputation for excellence has earned the respect of audiences, critics and colleagues.