The Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University (CATF) begins preview performances on Sunday, July 3. All five plays that make up the 2016 repertory will receive at least two preview performances before the Festival officially opens on Friday, July 8.

Patrons may take in the entire slate of plays at a “Pay-What-You-Can” price. There are no advance reservations to previews and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Box office opens one hour prior to the scheduled start-time at each play’s respective venue. Officially final dress rehearsals, all preview performances are fully produced with sets, lights and costumes in place. Oftentimes, playwrights are still working on the plays throughout previews, with changes inserted all the way through opening night.

The festival’s founder and producing director, Ed Herendeen, remarked, “The Festival is designed to bring fresh, bold new work to life, and audiences play a vital role in that. You can tell if something lands by how people react. The actors, directors and playwrights cherish the previews because of this. And I love that you can pick your own price! This makes our festival accessible and affordable to all.”

The Pay-What-You-Can preview schedule is as follows:

Sunday, July 3:

pen/man/ship by Christina Anderson at 7 p.m. (Marinoff Theater)

20th Century Blues by Susan Miller at 7:30 p.m. (Frank Center Stage)

Tuesday, July 5:

Not Medea by Allison Gregory at 6 p.m. (Center for Contemporary Arts/I-Studio 112)

The Second Girl by Ronan Noone at 8 p.m. (Marinoff Theater)

The Wedding Gift by Chisa Hutchinson at 8:30 p.m. (Frank Center Stage)

Wednesday, July 6:

Not Medea by Allison Gregory at 6 p.m. (Center for Contemporary Arts/I–Studio 112)

pen/man/ship by Christina Anderson at 8 p.m. (Marinoff Theater)

20th Century Blues by Susan Miller at 8:30 p.m. (Frank Center Stage)

Thursday, July 7:

Not Medea by Allison Gregory at 6 p.m. (Center for Contemporary Arts/I-Studio 112)

The Second Girl by Ronan Noone at 8.p.m. (Marinoff Theater)

The Wedding Gift by Chisa Hutchinson at 8:30 p.m. (Frank Center Stage)

For additional information about Pay-What-You-Can previews, including venue addresses and policies, contact the CATF Box Office at 800-999-2283 or visit www.catf.org.

CATF will present its 26th season July 8-31. In addition to the five plays in rotating repertory, the festival will feature stage readings, a lecture series, workshops and classes, art exhibitions, films and audience/artist engagement activities.

Complete information along with ticket options available via www.catf.org or by calling 800-999-CATF.