Submitted photo Gabrielle Tokach, the new Public Relations Manager for the Contemporary American Theatre Festival, joined the team on Jan. 10.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University is pleased to welcome Gabrielle Tokach, the new Public Relations Manager.

Tokach, who joined the Festival on Jan. 10, will work with CATF staff, trustees and Festival volunteers to orchestrate CATF’s marketing, public relations and audience engagement efforts by: creating and implementing marketing strategies, achieving ticket revenue goals and working with members the press and media relations to support the Festival’s mission of producing and developing new American theater.

Although this is a new position for Tokach, she has overseen the Festival’s box office and front of house operations since 2010. During her time at CATF, she has been instrumental in providing customer service and assistance to the Festival’s patrons as well as coordinating and facilitating group sales.

“Returning to CATF is like coming home,” states Tokach. “I have had the honor of working with and learning from CATF’s dynamic artists and administrators for the past seven summers. Seeing their excitement and dedication for new American theater shaped my own passions. I’m thrilled to take this position and do my part to share original, thoughtful and compelling stories.”

Tokach recently graduated from George Mason University with her Master’s in arts management. During her time at George Mason, she served on the executive leadership board for the Graduate Arts Management Society, providing additional educational programming and opportunities to arts management students.

She has also worked with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Arvold Casting, and Scrappy Cat Productions, as well as local non-profit and civic organizations to support their marketing and public relations efforts.

Tokach earned her Bachelors of Arts from West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she studied musical theater and arts administration.

CATF’s Founder and Producing Director, Ed Herendeen, professes, “We have been very fortunate to have worked and collaborated with Gabrielle for the past several years.

She began her career at CATF and I am personally very proud that CATF has played a significant role in developing the career of this emerging professional. I am honored to welcome her as a full time staff member of the Contemporary American Theater Festival and as a trusted colleague. Most importantly, Gabrielle shares our passion for our mission and core values.”

The Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University was founded by Ed Herendeen in 1991 to produce and develop new American theater. Each summer, the Festival produces five new plays in rotating repertory. CATF has produced over 115 new plays including forty-three world premieres and ten commissions. The 27th Season will run July 7-July 30, 2017.