"For the past century, steel has been the defining industry for the city of Bethlehem. Now this era is at an end and the city finds itself at a critical time of transition. Touchstone Theatre in collaboration with Lehigh University, Bethlehem Steel, the City of Bethlehem, local artists, business and civic organizations produced Steel Festival: The Art of Industry, a multi-arts festival that looks back at the legacy of steelmaking. Through it's use of theatre, song, storytelling, and visual arts, this festival will honor the people who made the steel that built America."
Songwriting Project
In a project co-ordinated by Bonnie O'Donnell, local singer-songwriters auditioned to work under the creative direction of nationally acclaimed songwriter, Bob Franke. Ten were selected and over the year and a half prior to the festival, they gathered stories and created music, and a community, that resonate our heritage.
9/10/99 Friday at 8pm, Ice House, Sand Island
9/12/99 Sunday at 2pm and 7pm, Godfrey Daniels
9/15/99 Wednesday at 8pm, Ice House, Sand Island
Steelbound
Touchstone Theatre, in collaboration with Cornerstone Theater Company and Ysaye Barnwell,
created a modern day adaptation of the story of Prometheus, the Greek god who gave
fire to humankind. This spectacular play was performed by Touchstone's Ensemble in
unison with 74 community members, many of whom worked or had relatives that worked in
the mill.
9/9/99 - 9/19/99, Thursday - Sunday at 7pm, Iron Foundry, Bethlehem Steel
Pouring the Sun
World renouned storyteller Jay O'Callahan, interviewed over 75 steelworkers in the three
years prior to the festival. As part of the festival, 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.
9/16/99 - 9/19/99, Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh
University
Steel Choir
A community choir performed traditional, ethnic, folk and labor songs, directed by Beverly
Morgan, music arranged by Ysaye Barnwell.
9/13/99 Monday at 7:30pm, Holy Infancy School
9/14/99 Tuesday at 7:30pm, Sayre Hall, Cathedral Church of the Nativity
9/15/99 Wednesday at 7:30pm, St. John's Windish Luthern Church