Shepherdstown Festival Continues Tradition Of Developing New American Theater

Since 1991, the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) has brought dozens of actors, writers, directors and creatives to the campus of Shepherd University each year for a slate of new theatrical productions.   

This year’s festival showcases five plays – including four world premieres – that explore stories ranging from the refugee experience to motherhood.  

• “The Smoker” by Pulitzer Prize finalist Lisa D’Amour explores the possibility for community-building under unlikely circumstances. 

• “Refugee Rhapsody” by Yussef El Guindi, a 2025 recipient of the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Citation of Excellence, examines the collision of ethnicities, cultures, and politics that face immigrants, Arab Americans and Muslim Americans in particular. 

• “Best Line Wins: A Play Inspired by the Improvised Lives of Elaine May & Mike Nichols,” by USA Today bestselling author and 2024-2025 Dramatists Guild Foundation National Fellow Beth Kander, follows the story of Nichols & May, one of the most beloved comedy duos of all time. 

• “¡VOS!” by Christina Pumariega follows a journey toward motherhood that unexpectedly uncovers the lives of two women who vanished during Argentina’s Dirty War. 

• “My Favorite Sociopath” by Aurin Squire, winner of the 2017 Helen Merrill Prize for Emerging Playwrights, explores the dawning of the 24-hour news cycle era. 

In addition to the productions, the 2026 festival includes educational and community engagement activities like backstage tours, lectures and post-show discussions.  

According to a press release, CATF is the only summer festival in the United States dedicated to producing new, fully staged American plays.  

The festival opens on July 10 and runs through Aug. 2.