CATF's Ed Herendeen Named Distinguished Citizen

Ed Herendeen, Founder and Producing Director of the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University, was honored on June 21st as the Chuck Ellison Distinguished Citizen by Jefferson County's Chamber of Commerce.

Herendeen founded CATF in 1991 with the mission of producing and developing new American theater. As a result of the Festival's bold and daring work under Herendeen's guidance, CATF has earned a national and international reputation for producing new plays. The Festival has produced 115 new plays, including 43 world premieres and 10 commissions. Every summer, Shepherdstown explodes with artists and patrons alike, who are dedicated to producing and consuming thought-provoking new plays.

The Spirt of Jefferson's Christine Snyder presented the Chuck Ellison Distinguished Citizen award to Herendeen, citing the impact of the Festival on Jefferson County. Herendeen thanked the businesses and community leaders for their dedication to Jefferson County and its residents. "...we are all united by the simple fact that we believe in our community. We believe that by working together we create a better life and a better quality of life for the citizens that live in this community and our children."

He continued that as a 27 year resident of Shepherdstown, he is a newcomer, and being able to follow his passion of creating new American theater in the Jefferson County community is a "magical experience". "To be in the room with all of you as business leaders, it really demonstrates that place matters. That our community matters."

In addition to the Chuck Ellison Distinguished Citizen award, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce recognized the Bank of Charles Town as the Business of the Year and welcomed 51 businesses into the Chamber of Commerce.

The 2017 Season of the Contemporary American Theater Festival includes: The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess; Welcome to Fear City by Kara Lee Corthron (world premiere); Wild Horses by Allison Gregory (National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere); Byhalia, Mississippi by Evan Linder; Everything is Wonderful by Chelsea Marcantel (world premiere); and We Will Not Be Silent by David Meyers (world premiere).

To purchase tickets or for more information about the Contemporary American Theater Festival, visit CATF online at catf.org or call the box office at 800-999-CATF (2283). Box Office hours are Monday through Saturday from 11am-6pm.

Pictured: Herendeen receiving award presented by Christine Snyder and Amy Panzarella.

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