Contemporary American Theater Festival

Contemporary American Theater Festival will offer a glimpse into the lifecycle of a play at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at Shepherds-town Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown. The reading might be another play by a playwright at the festival or it might be a play under consideration for a future season. Free admission. Call 304-876-3704.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University has announced the 2012 five-play repertory for its 22nd season. The four-week festival, consisting of 94 performances and other programming, will be held Friday, July 6 through Sunday, July 29, in Shepherdstown. The 2012 season will also feature free lectures, stage readings, panels and an art exhibition. Plus, patrons have the opportunity to purchase tickets to audience immersion events including lunches and workshops with artists, and breakfast with the Theater Festival's producing director.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va., has been introducing new plays for 21 years - middle-aged by theater festival standards. Plays by the well-known actor and playwright Sam Shepard have been a part of the lineup in previous festivals, and his newest play "Ages of the Moon" is one of the offerings this year. It's a one-act tragi-comedy about two long-time, 60-something crotchety male friends, Ames and Byron, who come together for an evening.

The second of three buildings forming Shepherd University's Center for Contemporary Arts, a “building designed from the inside out,” was dedicated Thursday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the West Campus. “That's what happens when the inside dictates what the outside of a building looks like,” said Dow Benedict, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities. The exterior of the 26,000-square-foot, three-story structure is clad in heavy copper shingles that time will darken with a patina.

Contemporary American Theater Festival will offer a glimpse into the lifecycle of a play at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at Shepherds-town Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown. The reading might be another play by a playwright at the festival or it might be a play under consideration for a future season. Free admission. Call 304-876-3704.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University has announced the 2012 five-play repertory for its 22nd season. The four-week festival, consisting of 94 performances and other programming, will be held Friday, July 6 through Sunday, July 29, in Shepherdstown. The 2012 season will also feature free lectures, stage readings, panels and an art exhibition. Plus, patrons have the opportunity to purchase tickets to audience immersion events including lunches and workshops with artists, and breakfast with the Theater Festival's producing director.

Jim Ford, owner of the Thomas Shepherd Inn, said the Contemporary American Theater Festival makes July "everybody's biggest month. It's hard not to be. " The five-play, monthlong festival at Shepherd University creates a summer boomtown for owners of local hotels, restaurants and downtown shops. The festival concludes Sunday. "We hardly ever leave the house in July," said Smith, who owns the inn with his wife, Jeanne Muir. "We're booked a year in advance for Wednesday through Saturday.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va., has been introducing new plays for 21 years - middle-aged by theater festival standards. Plays by the well-known actor and playwright Sam Shepard have been a part of the lineup in previous festivals, and his newest play "Ages of the Moon" is one of the offerings this year. It's a one-act tragi-comedy about two long-time, 60-something crotchety male friends, Ames and Byron, who come together for an evening.

Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss will be at Shepherd University this week to meet with university and Contemporary American Theater Festival officials, Ed Herendeen, festival founder and producing director, said Monday. University officials declined to say what they and the actor will be discussing. Herendeen said only that “things are in the works.” Shepherd President Suzanne Shipley said university officials agreed with Dreyfuss’ request that there be no press coverage during his visit.

 Stephen G. Skinner was elected to the Shepherd University Foundation Board of Directors at its 2010 annual meeting. Skinner, a trial lawyer, is a partner in the Charles Town, W.Va.-based Skinner Law Firm. "Shepherd University is integral to the continued development of our region. The future of the region and the university are closely tied," Skinner said. "Assuring the strong growth of Shepherd translates to insuring the strong growth of this community. "I'm honored by the opportunity to serve both the university and Jefferson County in this capacity," Skinner said.

On Sept. 25, friends and relatives entered Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown to the strains of “Symphonic Triptych,” Guy J. Frank’s ode to his beloved university and community. If his life is to be remembered as having been lived well, it’s because of the legacy and progeny he left behind. Guy died peacefully in his sleep on Aug. 24 at the age of 91. His wife, Alice, died in 1972 at age 49. He leaves a daughter, Merideth Frank, who cared for him in his final years.