Contemporary American Theater Festival

View on map
MusicShepherdstown
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsCATF's entire mission is built around
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown

The Contemporary American Theater Festival stages newly written American plays each July and August on the Shepherd University campus in Shepherdstown, West Virginia's oldest town. Founded in 1991 by Ed Herendeen, it remains the only U.S. summer festival dedicated exclusively to new, fully staged American plays.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival was founded in 1991 by Ed Herendeen with a mission that set it apart from nearly every other regional summer theater festival in the country: producing exclusively new American plays rather than mounting revivals or classics.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

CATF's entire mission is built around premiering work that has never been staged before, typically five new plays each season including multiple world premieres, rather than reviving established scripts the way most regional summer theater festivals do

02

The mystery stays covered

That commitment has earned it recognition from The New York Times and Germany's World Guide as one of the essential theater festivals worldwide, unusual attention for a town of roughly two thousand people

03

The city starts moving

The festival runs in repertory across three venues on the Shepherd University campus, letting audiences see multiple new works across a single weekend, and it pairs every production with more than thirty talkback and discussion events that put playwrights and casts in direct conversation with the audience, a scale of audience engagement rare even at larger theater festivals

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

A season built entirely around new and world-premiere American plays

Water and renewal

Living ritual

repertory staging across three campus theaters

The sacred route

Living ritual

and an extensive slate of talkback events with playwrights and casts define every CATF season

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

Use Shepherdstown transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Smart casual; theater houses are air-conditioned and audiences generally dress presentably but comfortably for an evening performance.

Safety

At Contemporary American Theater Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Shepherdstown, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.43 N, 77.80 WOpen in Google Maps

Shepherdstown, WV

Nearest airportIAD — Washington Dulles
TransportUse Shepherdstown transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Shepherdstown, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Shepherdstown via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Shepherdstown, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearSmart casual; theater houses are air-conditioned and audiences generally dress presentably but comfortably for an evening performance.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Contemporary American Theater Festival?

Contemporary American Theater Festival is listed for July · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Contemporary American Theater Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Shepherdstown, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Shepherdstown, WV

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLcatf.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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