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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Contemporary American Theater Festival
The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) is an American annual professional theatre festival held at Shepherd University, located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. According to the New York Times (in 2015), it is one of "50 essential summer festivals". In 2016, Germany's World Guide identified the festival as one of the "Top 10 theatre festivals not to miss this summer". A representative of the Theatre Communications Group in its publication American Theatre stated that "(CATF's) forward focus has helped ... change the American theatre conversation, bringing new voices and pressing topics to the stage ..."

The Festival specializes in premieres and second or third productions of new plays, currently producing six plays each summer in rotating repertory.

History

The CATF Frank Center Stage
The CATF Frank Center Stage interior
The CATF Marinoff Theater exterior located in the Contemporary Arts Center II
The CATF Contemporary Arts Center I entrance

A 2010 NPR segment stated: "For 20 years, in the oldest town in West Virginia, new plays have had a home and a loyal audience. The Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University is a dream for the writers of those plays."

The festival was started in 1991 "on a wing and a prayer and a $90,000 budget" by producing director Ed Herendeen. It was modeled after the Williamstown Theatre Festival, located in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It has the goal of producing and developing new American theater, specifically plays that deal with contemporary issues and strive to challenge and entertain audiences. In addition to finding new scripts which could be either premieres or on a second/third production, the festival has also commissioned works since 1998. Through the summer of 2013, the festival has produced 100 plays, by 73 American playwrights, including 37 world premieres, 9 of which were commissioned. It had an operating budget for 2013 of $1 million. In 2017 the New York Times picked it as "one of the top festivals in theater ... that we think you should see this spring and summer around the country".

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused officials to scrap the festival and defer to 2021.

Facilities

Housed on the university's campus, the CATF uses three performance spaces. The first is the 416 seat Frank Center for the Arts Stage, a conventional proscenium performance space without a curtain. The second is The Stanley C. and Shirley A. Marinoff Theater, a 180-seat flexible seating space, located in the recently completed Center For Contemporary Arts II(CCA II). This space replaced the Studio Theater, an adapted space in Sara H Cree Hall. The third space is a smaller adapted black box space in Room 112 of Center For Contemporary Arts I. The CATF scene shop and costume shop are also located in the new CCA II.

Notable productions

  • Uncanny Valley, 2014 Festival
As part of the National New Play Network Rolling World Premieres, CATF transferred their production to 59E59 Theaters in New York City from October 2 – 26. The production received favorable reviews.
  • H2O, 2013 Festival
This production was one of six finalists for the 2014 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award, recognizing playwrights for the best scripts that premiered professionally outside New York City during 2013
  • Gidion's Knot, 2012 Festival
This world premiere production received a Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play citation as one of the top three new plays of 2012. The play has been published by Dramatists Play Service and had 14 productions scheduled for 2014 around the USA. According to American Theatre magazine, it is the 11th most-produced play in the 2013-2014 theater season.
This play was adapted for the screen as The Ides of March starring George Clooney and Ryan Gosling.
This production was notable because of the controversy surrounding the play (see the play's article in Wikipedia for details of the controversy). The festival playbill contained a two-page ad, "My Name is Rachel Corrie Does Not Tell the Whole Story: Don't Be Misled", which included photos of six other women named Rachel who were killed by Palestinian suicide bombers. A member of the festival's board of trustees resigned in protest and several regular patrons decided not to attend the festival in response to the selection of this work. The Artistic Director "was flooded with letters urging the board members to remove the play". The actual production was without incident and no drop in attendance.
  • Compleat Female Stage Beauty, 1999 Festival
This production was notable as it was one of the early works commissioned by the festival which then went on to be regularly produced and was adapted by the playwright (Jeffrey Hatcher) into a film version Stage Beauty starring Claire Danes, Billy Crudup, and Tom Wilkinson.
  • Carry the Tiger to the Mountain, 1998 Festival
This play by Cherylene Lee – and the festival's first commissioned work – focused on the beating death of Vincent Chin in 1982 Detroit. The play's production became the impetus for a state-wide discussion on race and served as the backdrop to the governor's year-long efforts on this issue, which began with a town-hall discussion, in the theater, following a production of the play. The festival was recognized for its role as catalyst for this important dialogue with the 1999 "Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts."

Complete production history

The following is a complete list of the festival's productions.

2019 Festival
My Lord, What a Night by Deborah Brevoort*^; Support Group for Men by Ellen Fairey; Wrecked by Greg Kalleres*; A Welcome Guest: A Psychotic Fairy Tale by Michael Weller**; Chester Bailey by Joseph Dougherty; Antonio' s Song / I was dreaming of a son by Dael Orlandersmith and Antonio Edwards Suarez*
2018 Festival
The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter; Berta, Berta by Angelica Cheri*; Memoirs of a Forgotten Man by D.W. Gregory*^; Thirst by C.A. Johnson*; A Late Morning (in America) with Ronald Reagan by Michael Weller*; The House on the Hill by Amy E. Witting*.
2017 Festival
The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess, Welcome To Fear City by Kara Lee Corthron,, Wild Horses by Allison Gregory, Byhalia, Mississippi by Evan Linder, Everything Is Wonderful by Chelsea Marcantel, We Will Not Be Silent by David Meyers.
2016 Festival
pen/man/ship by Christina Anderson, Not Medea by Allison Gregory*^, The Wedding Gift by Chisa Hutchinson, 20th Century Blues by Susan Miller, The Second Girl by Ronan Noone.
2015 Festival
World Builders by Johnna Adams, Everything You Touch by Sheila Callaghan, On Clover Road by Steven Dietz, We Are Pussy Riot by Barbara Hammond**, The Full Catastrophe by Michael Weller, based on the novel by David Carkeet
2014 Festival
The Ashes Under Gait City by Christina Anderson, One Night by Charles Fuller, Uncanny Valley by Thomas Gibbons*^, North of the Boulevard by Bruce Graham, Dead and Breathing by Chisa Hutchinson.
2013 Festival
A Discourse on the Wonders of the Invisible World by Liz Duffy Adams, Modern Terrorism, or They Who Want to Kill Us and How We Learn to Love Them by Jon Kern, H2O by Jane Martin, Heartless by Sam Shepard, Scott and Hem in the Garden of Allah by Mark St. Germain
2012 Festival
Gidion’s Knot by Johnna Adams, The Exceptionals by Bob Clyman, In a Forest, Dark and Deep by Neil LaBute, Captors by Evan M. Wiener, Barcelona by Bess Wohl
2011 Festival
From Prague by Kyle Bradstreet, Race by David Mamet, Ages of the Moon by Sam Shepard, We Are Here by Tracy Thorne, The Insurgents by Lucy Thurber
2010 Festival
Breadcrumbs by Jennifer Haley, The Eelwax Jesus 3-D Pop Music Show Book & Lyrics by Max Baker, Music by Lee Sellars, Inana by Michele Lowe, Lidless by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, White People by J.T. Rogers
2009 Festival
Dear Sara Jane by Victor Lodato, Farragut North by Beau Willimon, Fifty Words by Michael Weller, The History of Light by Eisa Davis, Yankee Tavern by Steven Dietz
2008 Festival
The Overwhelming by J. T. Rogers, Pig Farm by Greg Kotis, Stick Fly by Lydia R. Diamond, A View of the Harbor by Richard Dresser, WRECKS by Neil LaBute
2007 Festival
1001 by Jason Grote, Lonesome Hollow by Lee Blessing, The Pursuit of Happiness by Richard Dresser, My Name is Rachel Corrie from the writings of Rachel Corrie, edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner
2006 Festival
Augusta by Richard Dresser, Jazzland by Keith Glover, Mr. Marmalade by Noah Haidle, Sex, Death, and the Beach Baby by Kim Merrill
2005 Festival
The God of Hell by Sam Shepard, American Tet by Lydia Stryk, Sonia Flew by Melinda Lopez, Father Joy by Sheri Wilner, Augusta by Richard Dresser, Jazzland by Keith Glover, On the Verge or The Geography of Yearning by Eric Overmyer
2004 Festival
Homeland Security by Stuart Flack, Flag Day by Lee Blessing, Rounding Third by Richard Dresser, The Rose of Corazon: A Texas Songplay by Keith Glover**, Amazing by Brooke Berman, Father Joy by Sheri Wilner
2003 Festival
Whores by Lee Blessing, The Last Schwartz by Deborah Zoe Laufer, Bright Ideas by Eric Coble, Wilder by Erin Cressida Wilson, Flag Day by Lee Blessing, The Clandestine Crossing by Keith Glover
2002 Festival
Thief River by Lee Blessing, Silence of God by Catherine Filloux, The Late Henry Moss by Sam Shepard, Orange Flower Water by Craig Wright*, Rounding Third by Richard Dresser, Melissa Arctic by Craig Wright
2001 Festival
Tape by Stephen Belber, The Ecstasy of Saint Theresa by John Olive, The Occupation" by Harry Newman, The Pavilion by Craig Wright, Carol Mulroney by Stephen Belber, Orange Flower Water by Craig Wright, Silence of God by Catherine Filloux
2000 Festival
Hunger by Sheri Wilner*, Mary and Myra by Catherine Filloux, Miss Golden Dreams, A Play Cycle by Joyce Carol Oates*, Something in the Air by Richard Dresser
1999 Festival
Compleat Female Stage Beauty by Jeffrey Hatcher, Coyote on a Fence by Bruce Graham, Tatjana in Color by Julia Jordan*, The Water Children by Wendy MacLeod, Flo's Ho's by Julia Jordan
1998 Festival
BAFO by Tom Strelich, Carry the Tiger to the Mountain by Cherylene Lee, Gun-Shy by Richard Dresser, Interesting Times by Preston Foerder
1997 Festival
Below the Belt by Richard Dresser, Demonology by Kelley Stuart, Lighting Up the Two Year Old by Benjie Aerenson, CATF Dance Ensemble
1996 Festival
Bad Girls by Joyce Carol Oates, Octopus by Jon Klein, The Nina Variations by Steven Dietz, The Nose by Elizabeth Egloff, Tough Choices for the New Century by Jane Anderson
1995 Festival
Beti the Yeti by Jon Klein, Maggie's Riff by Jon Lipsky, Psyche Was Here by Lynne Martin, Voir Dire by Joe Sutton
1994 Festival
Forgiving Typhoid Mary by Mark St. Germain, Shooting Simone by Lynne Kaufman, Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck, What are Tuesdays Like? by Victor Bumbalo,
1993 Festival
A Contemporary Masque by Stephen Bennet, Alabama Rain by Heather McCutchen, Black by Joyce Carol Oates, Dream House by Darrah Cloud
1992 Festival
Static by Ben Siegler, Still Waters by Lynn Martin*, The Baby Dance by Jane Anderson, The Swan by Elizabeth Egloff
1991 Festival
Accelerando by Lisa Loomer, Welcome to the Moon by John Patrick Shanley

Production Notes

world premiere

world premiere; commissioned by CATF

National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere

staged reading

staged reading; commissioned by CATF

CATF Actors' Lab Workshop

See also

Notes

The plays are professionally produced using the LORT D contract of the Actors' Equity Association (AEA). The festival operates under agreements from AEA, United Scenic Artists, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

The festival is a member of the Theatre Communications Group.

The festival is a member of the National New Play Network.

Annually, CATF holds Hostel YOUTH! - a theater immersion program for young adults (ages 14–18)

In 2013, the festival hosted the American Theatre Critics Association Annual Conference.

In 2008, the first phase of the new Center for Contemporary Arts was dedicated. Phase One houses the CATF administration offices and one of large studios has been adapted for a third performance space.

In 2013, Center for Contemporary Arts Phase Two opened, adding a 180-seat studio (black-box) theater as well as dressing room, scene shop and prop shop facilities.

A future Phase Three will contain two 250-seat theaters, one thrust stage and one end-stage.

In 2008, the festival had an economic impact of $2.1 million to the Eastern Panhandle region of West Virginia.

In 2013, the festival brought $3 million of revenue to Shepherdstown, and attracted nearly 14,000 people — primarily from the D.C. region, but also from 30-plus states and various foreign countries.

The Festival is a Blue Star Theatre - part of a collaboration between the Theatre Communications Group and Blue Star Families offering discounted admission to all military personnel and their families.

References

  1. ^ "Arts - 50 Essential Summer Festivals". 15 May 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  2. ^ Jruhstorfer. "WorldGuide Editors". World Guide. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  3. ^ Considine, Allison (21 July 2015). "The Magical CATF Formula: New Plays in an Historic Setting". American Theatre. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  4. ^ Blair, Elizabeth (June 28, 2010). "Festival Brings New Dramas To Shenandoah Valley". Morning Edition (via NPR). Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  5. ^ Contemporary American Theater Festival (July 8, 2009). 2009 Program Book. Shepherdstown, WV: CATF. p. 4.
  6. ^ A CurtainUp DC Feature. "CATF 2001: A Report from the Contemporary American Theatre Festival". curtainup.com. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  7. ^ Hong, Terry. "The Contemporary American Theater Festival Turns 10". curtainup.com. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  8. ^ "About CATF". Contemporary American Theater Festival. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  9. ^ McElroy, Steven (18 May 2017). "15 Summer Theater Festivals (and More)". New York Times. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Shepherd University - Academic Life". collegeprofiles.com. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  11. ^ "Shepherd names new CCA II theater the Stanley C. and Shirley A. Marinoff Theater". Sheperd University Press Release dated 18 February 2013. Sheperd University. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  12. ^ "Shepherd University Virtual Campus Tour - Sara Cree Hall". Archived from the original on September 27, 2008. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  13. ^ "July 3 - July 28, 2013 Schedule" (PDF). Contemporary American Theater Festival. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  14. ^ "Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University presents UNCANNY VALLEY". www.59e59.org. 59E59 Theaters. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  15. ^ "Uncanny Valley in NYC". catf.org. CATF. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  16. ^ Hughes, Laura (16 October 2014). "Having It All, Except for Humanity 'Uncanny Valley,' a Jaunt Into the Future". New York Times. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  17. ^ "Theater critics name finalists for Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 5, 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  18. ^ "Robert Schenkkan wins 2013 Steinberg/ATCA Award, nation's largest". American Theatre Critics Association. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  19. ^ Sheir, Rebecca (4 July 2014). "Taking a Chance on New Theater in West Virginia's Oldest City". Metro Connection. WAMU Radio. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  20. ^ Staff. "The Ides of March, George Clooney Film Based on Farragut North, to Open Venice Film Festival". Broadway.com. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  21. ^ 2007 Contemporary American Theater Festival Playbill. Contemporary American Theater Festival. July 6–29, 2007.
  22. ^ Logue, Susan (July 23, 2007). "Controversial Play in Spotlight at Contemporary American Theater Festival". Voice of America. Archived from the original on September 12, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  23. ^ Najjab, Jamal (September–October 2007). "Peace Café Busload Takes in West Virginia Production of "My Name Is Rachel Corrie"". Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. pp. 16, 18. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  24. ^ Horwitz, Jane (July 18, 2007). "'Corrie' Fears Unrealized". The Washington Post. p. C05. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  25. ^ "Contemporary American Theatre Festival History & Archives". Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  26. ^ "Stage Beauty (2004)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  27. ^ "Contemporary American Theater Festival Announces its 2010 Company". westvirginia.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  28. ^ "Season of Six - 2017 Season". Contemporary American Theater Festival. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  29. ^ "The Season 26 Repertory". Contemporary American Theater Festival. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  30. ^ "The Season". Contemporary American Theatre Festival. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  31. ^ "The Season". Contemporary American Theatre Festival. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  32. ^ Blair, Elizabeth (19 July 2014). "With Humor, 'Dead And Breathing' Dives Into End-Of-Life Struggles". National Public Radio. Weekend Edition. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  33. ^ "23rd Season - Contemporary American Theater Festival". The Plays. Contemporary American Theater Festival. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  34. ^ "CATF: Mission and History". CATF. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  35. ^ "TCG Member Theatres". Theatre Communications Group. Archived from the original on August 13, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  36. ^ BWW News Desk. "Contemporary American Theater Festival Joins National New Play Network". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  37. ^ "CATF's Hostel YOUTH". catf.org. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  38. ^ Handelman, Jay (July 28, 2013). "Behind the Scenes: Considering the theater world without critics". The Herald-Tribune. Archived from the original on 2013-08-08. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  39. ^ Giuliano, Charles. "Contemporary American Theatre Festival West Virginia Meeting of American Theatre Critics Association". berkshirefinearts.com. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  40. ^ Harbaugh, Pam. "What I did on my summer vacation". floridatoday.com. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  41. ^ Rudder, Trish (April 18, 2008). "Shepherd University dedicates Center for Contemporary Arts". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  42. ^ Shepherd University. "Shepherd holds groundbreaking ceremony for Phase II of Center for Contemporary Arts". Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  43. ^ Shepherd University. "CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS (PHASE II)". Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  44. ^ "Shepherd University – Contemporary Arts Center". Holzman Moss Architecture, LLP. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  45. ^ "Report Touts Benefits of Contemporary American Theater Festival". State Journal. February 21, 2009. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  46. ^ "Blue Star Theatres". Theatre Communications Group. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2013.

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