The Contemporary American Theater Festival Runs 7/8-8/2 At Shepherd University

The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University will run from July 8 through August 2, with five powerful plays and humanities events that create dialogue within the community. This year, their popular lecture series will feature special guests discussing issues raised by the plays. The "In the Room" lecture series will include:

Meet the 2009 Season Playwrights on July 11, when founder and Producing Director Ed Herendeen will moderate a discussion with playwrights, Eisa Davis, Steven Dietz, Victor Lodato, Michael Weller and Beau Willimon.

Behind the Scenes: The Magic of Repertory "Change Over" on July 18, when CATF Production Manager Patrick Wallace narrates as the technical production team changes the scenery, properties, lighting and sound from the matinee production over to the evening production.

Jay Carson: A Press Secretary's Spin on the World of Presidential Campaigns on August 1, when Jay Carson, who has over a decade of senior experience in government and politics, will discuss the world of campaigns. Most recently, Jay was the Traveling Press Secretary for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign.
All "In the Room" lectures are held at 4:30 pm in the Frank Center and are presented free of charge by the West Virginia Humanities Council and the Arts & Humanities Alliance of Jefferson County (AHA!)
Other special events to be held during The catF 2009 Season are:

CATF Stage Reading Series at the Full Circle Theater Company [113 S. Princess St. in Shepherdstown]: Tuesday, July 14 at 7 pm with Steven Dietz and Tuesday, July 28 at 7 pm with Michael Weller

Board to Board Initiative - July 18- 19 for Trustees of Regional Area Theaters, a "new play" immersion experience, intended to stimulate a dialogue among regional theaters from the Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD metropolitan areas.

Post-Show Discussions with company members and audience members: Wednesday, July 15 after the 5:30 performance of Dear Sara Jane; Wednesday, July 15 after the8:00 performance of Farragut North; Thursday, July 16 after the 8:00 performance of Yankee Tavern; July 22 after the 8:30 performance of Fifty Words; and July 23 after the 8:30 performance of The History of Light.

talktheater with CATF Founder and Producing Director Ed Herendeen. A lively dialogue and continental breakfast each Thursday and Sunday at 10 am in the Center for Contemporary Arts. Cost is $20 per person (includes continental breakfast from Mellow Moods) and seating is limited. Call (304) 876-3473 for reservations.

Music at the Festival: afterthoughts, entertainment with The catF company each Friday after the late show: July 17 - performance by The Rolling Coyotes at the Rumsey Tavern at the Clarion Inn and Conference Center; July 24 -renowned blues guitarist Billy Thompson will perform at the Bavarian Inn; and July 31 - performance by BlueScandanavia, the Finnish Folk sensation at Stone Soup.
The Contemporary American Theater Festival 2009 Season runs July 8 through August 2, presenting five powerful plays that celebrate the power of now: Dear Sara Jane, a world premiere play by Victor Lodato; Farragut North by Beau Willimon; Fifty Words by Michael Weller; The History of Light, a world premiere by Eisa Davis; and Yankee Tavern by Steven Dietz.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival prides itself on producing and developing new American theater. Since 1991, CATF has produced 68 new plays, including 25 world premieres. Five plays, five playwrights, five unique theatrical experiences at the Contemporary American Theater Festival. The 2009 Season runs from July 8 through August 2. For more information, please visit www.catf.org or call 304-876-3473 or 800-999-CATF (2283).

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