The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) announced a new season of plays to a full house at its season preview event last Thursday evening.

The event, which took place at the Shepherdstown Opera House, included a free film screening of the movie “Ides of March,” based on the former CATF production, “Farragut North.”

Producing Director Ed Herendeen ushered in the 22nd season of CATF by once again praising Shepherdstown’s creative atmosphere and the community’s support of contemporary theater

“This community has embraced stories for the last 250 years,” he said.

Herendeen said that Shepherdstown’s unique artistic culture has made it the perfect place to CATF’s mission.

“Place matters,” he said. “People want to be around where art is made,’ he went on say.

This season of the CATF will feature the world premiere of “Gideon’s Knot” by Johanna Adams, “The Exceptionals” by Bob Clyman, “In a Forest, Dark and Deep” by Neil LaBute, “Captors” by Evan M. Weiner and “Barcelona” by Bess Wohl.

Herendeen, along with CATF Associate Producing Director Peggy McKowen, discussed new programming being offered this upcoming season as a part of the CATF’s mission to stay innovative and engaged.

Some of the programs include, “Hostel Youth” an educational camp for children designed to, “fill a niche that has been untouched in this country” and introduce kids to contemporary theater early.

Others programs will include a “Breakfast with Ed” series, “Lunch and Art,” late night “Salons,” on Saturday nights at the Bavarian Inn, “Theater 411,” a masterworks class for actors and returning programming such as “Humanities at the Festival.”

McKowen explained that she hopes the courses encourage the public to participate in and discuss contemporary theater, art and culture.

“We like to create dialog,” she said.

The event was broadcast live on the Shepherd University radio station WHSC and also featured a scene reading of a scene from “Farragut North” prior to the film screening. The season is set to begin July 6 and last through July 29.

The online box office for CATF 2012 is open and can be found by visiting their homepage at catf.org or by falling 1-800-999-CATF. For general information contact Managing Director James McNeel at info@catf.org.