The Story of Touchstone

The idea of an indoor theater has always intrigued APT. In 1994, there was research into a retractable roof for the amphitheater. In 2002, a task force began to explore the idea of an indoor theater on APT property. In 2005, APT briefly considered a plan to open a second performance space in downtown Spring Green, but still, the prospect of an indoor theater was elusive.

Opening the Bravo Center in 2001 addressed many of APT’s most pressing facilities woes. But several remained. We needed another indoor rehearsal space. And our scene shop was being crowded out by the ever-growing prominence of scene painting in APT’s designs. Both desperately needed more space. Storage for everything from scenery to gift shop inventory to paper goods was in short supply, and getting worse. Year by year, space needs became more acute. In 2003, APT cleared approximately 4 acres north of the Bravo Center. The plan was to build two buildings on it – a new rehearsal hall and a maintenance and storage building. But those plans were put on hold. 

Nevertheless, everyone was anxious to revive them.

It seemed like we were on the verge of something…the core acting company was anchoring seasons that seemed to get better every year, our audience was solid, our financial house was in order. We were itching to take the proverbial “next step,” but first had to understand what that step should be. What would both fulfill and expand on our mission? What was challenging and exciting but still prudent? What could we afford? Finally, what work did we want to share with our audience that we couldn’t do on the Hill?

Then an idea came up (a little bit of a theater cliché, but intriguing nonetheless) – what if we had a barn? A small, informal space where we could do productions that we could never do up the Hill. Here we would produce small, intimate shows that would still address APT’s mission, but in new ways. It would be much different from the experience on the Hill in some ways, but in other ways very similar. The perfect complement.

A plan began to take shape to build a small indoor theater and a production support building on the plateau that was cleared several years ago. The next critical steps soon fell into place, and APT began a feasibility study to confirm that the campaign was realistic. At the end of 2006, APT received an anonymous lead challenge gift that kicked off the fundraising and started the Touchstone Project on the road to fruition – and an opening a mere 30 months later. 

Touchstone Timeline

December 12, 2006: APT receives anonymous lead gift to begin fundraising for an indoor theater on the APT property.

June 7, 2007: APT Board of Directors appoints a Capital Campaign Committee, naming Stephen D. Brown and W. David Romoser as co-chairs and officially begins the quiet phase of a capital campaign.

July 1, 2007: APT appoints Peter Tan of Strang, Inc. as architect for The Touchstone Project. Kraemer Brothers, LLC of Plain, WI is named as General Contractor. Talaske is retained as acoustical consultant and Schuler Shook is appointed as theater consultant.

January 15, 2008: With nearly $2.5 million already raised, APT officially launches the public phase of the Touchstone Campaign.

March 13, 2008: APT’s Board of Directors authorizes construction to begin on building foundations.

March 31, 2008: Excavation and site preparation begins.

April 14, 2008: Official Groundbreaking ceremony.

May 6, 2008: With foundations laid, construction pauses to make way for the 2008 APT season.

August 21, 2008: APT’s Board of Directors officially names the new theater The Touchstone Theatre.

October 7, 2008: Construction continues on the Touchstone Theatre and production support building.

March 19, 2009: APT reaches its Touchstone Campaign goal of $4 million and begins an effort to raise an additional $1.25 million to fully finance construction and cover campaign costs.

April 1, 2009: The production facility (now called the Alpha Center) opens.

June 28, 2009: The first performance in the Touchstone Theatre is the premiere performance of In Acting Shakespeare, a fundraiser for The Touchstone Campaign.

July 10-12, 2009: Touchstone Theatre grand opening weekend.