EMPLOYMENT

Current Opportunities

Development Director

Position Profile

An exciting opportunity for a seasoned Development Professional to join a dynamic team of professionals committed to contemporary American theater.  Reporting to the Managing Director, and with an opportunity for a hybrid work structure, the Development Director is responsible for all activities related to the planning, implementation, analysis and evaluation of fundraising and associated communications and outreach goals and objectives. The Director is a member of the leadership team working to enhance and support CATF’s vision, mission and programs. Overall responsibilities include the creation and implementation of an annual fundraising plan and long range strategic planning as it relates to the development function.

The position requires an advanced level of development experience, management skills, strong written and verbal communication abilities, a confidence to directly solicit large gifts and interface regularly with a range of volunteers, prospects and donors, and an ability to creatively and strategically implement a vision for long term growth and stabilization of the CATF’s funding base.

History

Founded by Ed Herendeen in 1991 with the mission to produce and develop new American theater, CATF has grown to a $2.5M organization at the center of new play development and production in the nation.  CATF’s core values of fearless art, diverse stories, inclusivity, and community guide all its actions from play selection to human resource management.  Nestled in Shepherdstown, WV, approximately 1.5 hours from Washington, DC and Baltimore, CATF produces a summer festival of 5 plays on the campus of Shepherd University along with new play development and educational programming year-round. Over the course of 35 seasons, CATF has produced 144 new plays by 104 playwrights including 66 world premieres and 11 plays commissioned by the Festival.  CATF premieres have gone on to Broadway, London, off-Broadway, and regional theaters as well as adapted into major motion pictures.  Learn more here. 

Responsibilities

  • Collaborating with the Managing Director to set and achieve CATF’s annual and long-term fundraising strategy, goals, and benchmarks
  • Stewarding a portfolio of CATF’s existing major donors, re-engaging lapsed individuals, and building a sustainable prospect pipeline
  • Working closely with the Artistic Director, Managing Director, Board of Directors, and other staff to coordinate management of key funder relationships
  • Developing effective moves management, donor identification and qualification, tracking, and other systems that can support the team in achieving revenue goals
  • Exploring impactful opportunities for donor engagement, partnerships, and fundraising campaigns
  • Working with the communications team to create a suite of compelling case materials aligned with CATF’s mission and strategic objectives
  • Budgeting and working with the operations team in accordance with nonprofit financial management best practices
  • Managing a part-time Grant Writer and co-managing a Development & Communications Assistant responsible for database maintenance and management as well as digital communications.

Qualifications and Core Competencies

  • At least seven years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a particular emphasis on identifying, cultivating, and stewarding major gifts.
  • BA (required), MA or equivalent certifications helpful
  • Comfortable both making frontline asks, and coaching staff and board members to set them up for success with donors
  • A combination of high-level strategic thinking and ability to manage tasks on a day-to-day basis
  • Strong financial and data analysis skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and report-building
  • Knowledge of the CATF’s funding space is a plus, specifically nonprofit theater and new play development
  • Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
  • Familiarity with Spektrix, Donor Search, project management tools such as Asana, and other digital tools and platforms (e.g. Zoom and Google Drive) a plus

Salary and Benefits

Salary range $90k-$110k, commensurate with experience. Our benefits package includes 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees, a Simple IRA retirement plan with up to 3% company match, a generous vacation policy, paid sick and personal time off, 10 paid company holidays per year, company-paid membership to the Shepherd University Wellness Center, and complimentary tickets to CATF performances.

Application Process

Apply online through CATF’s website, applications submitted through other portals will not be reviewed. On the website, you will be asked to upload a cover letter, resume, and professional writing sample.

Apply Here

Join us!

We value multiple perspectives and viewpoints from diverse constituencies because we recognize that diversity informs more effective solutions. We value the wide-ranging perspectives that our colleagues and collaborators bring to the table and we create an environment for all voices to be heard. CATF is an equal opportunity employer.

Pre-Season Box Office Associate/s

The Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University is welcoming applications for 2026 Pre-Season Box Office Associates.

As members of the Audience Services Team, reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Associates assist audience members with their ticket order and CATF experience. 


Responsibilities include:  

  • Provide the highest level of radical hospitality to customers 
  • Supply detailed information to customers regarding CATF’s programming, including the plays and talktheater events
  • Process ticket orders and donations over the phone 
  • Respond to voicemails and emails in a timely, efficient, and professional manner
  • Assist audience members in crafting their theater schedule 
  • Direct audience members to resources to complete their theater experience, including lodging, dining, shopping, and area attractions
  • Assist audience members with accessibility requests
  • Follow established Box Office policies and procedures 

 

The ideal candidate will have: 

  • Previous experience with Spektrix (CRM)
  • Previous experience in sales, retail, and/or hospitality
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills
  • A drive to provide exceptional customer service
  • An interest in professional theater and CATF’s mission
  • Familiarity with Shepherdstown and Jefferson County, West Virginia and/or a willingness to learn  

This position is part-time, $18/hour, with the expectation of up to twenty hours of remote work each week, mid-February through mid-May. This position may be split between two individuals, each working ten hours a week. The Pre-Season Box Office position is remote.

CATF, a summer festival and leading producer of contemporary plays, is dedicated to telling diverse stories and developing new American theater. The festival premieres or produces multiple plays each season across three venues. CATF is committed to supporting the unique needs of new work while fostering an environment of fun and company community. Located 90 minutes from DC, CATF makes its home in one of America’s coolest small towns, Shepherdstown, WV.

Group & Ad Sales Manager

The Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University is welcoming applications for the 2026 Group & Ad Sales Manager.

A member of the Audience Services & Marketing Team and reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Group & Ad Sales Manager helps establish and enhance relationships with and facilitate an exceptional festival experience for group leaders and advertising partners.

Group Sales Manager responsibilities include:

  • Conduct and manage outbound and inbound sales to achieve the group sales financial goals
  • Enhance relationships with current group leaders and research and cultivate new group contacts
  • Maintain group sales database, including detailed notes of interactions with group leaders
  • Serve as the primary liaison for group sales leaders; assist in creating ticketing packages and provide resources for lodging, dining, and other activities in the area.
  • Provide on-site support for group leaders and group members during the Festival
  • Work closely with the Box Office Manager and Director of Marketing and Sales to ensure accurate ticketing and financial reconciliation
  • Process ticket orders in CATF’s CRM, Spektrix
  • Conduct ongoing sales analysis to assist in evaluating and adjusting sales strategies
  • Follow established group sales policies and procedures and recommend improvements
  • Other job-related duties as assigned

Ad Sales Manager responsibilities include:

  • Conduct and manage outbound and inbound sales to achieve the advertising sales financial goals
  • Serve as the primary liaison for local businesses regarding their ad partnerships and benefits
  • Enhance relationships with current advertising partners and research, and cultivate new advertising contacts
  • Maintain advertising sales database, including detailed notes of interactions with advertising partners
  • Manage all invoicing and payment processing with ad partners
  • Facilitate the fulfillment of all ad partner benefits
  • Conduct ongoing sales analysis to assist in evaluating and adjusting sales strategies
  • Follow established ad partnerships policies and procedures, and suggest improvements
  • Other job-related duties as assigned

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Previous experience in sales, retail, and/or hospitality
  • An interest in professional theater and CATF’s mission
  • Familiarity with Shepherdstown and Jefferson County, West Virginia

This position is part-time, $18/hour, with the expectation of five hours of remote work each week mid-February through early July. The Manager will work on-site during the Festival (Jul 10-Aug 2) when groups are scheduled to attend. The Ad Sales portion of the position will conclude by mid-June.

Apply Here

CATF, a summer festival and leading producer of contemporary plays, is dedicated to telling diverse stories and developing new American theater. The festival premieres or produces multiple plays each season across three venues. CATF is committed to supporting the unique needs of new work while fostering an environment of fun and company community. Located 90 minutes from DC, CATF makes its home in one of America’s coolest small towns, Shepherdstown, WV.

SEASONAL STAFFING

Festival staffing positions include free housing (shared suites with private bedrooms) and one day off/week. Two meals/day provided during tech. Travel is the responsibility of the staff person, but local train and airport pick-up provided. CATF is a whirlwind of activity with a company of over 100 individuals living and working together. Work ethic, sense of fun, and a commitment to the art is an absolute must.

Click here to see all of the available staff positions, read job descriptions, and apply. 

INTERNSHIPS

The Contemporary American Theater Festival prides itself in offering internships where you focus the majority of your time in your assigned department, while still working in the unique community that a rotating repertory season creates. The ideal applicants for all internship positions are positive, flexible, willing to learn, able to take direction, and work well in a collaborative environment. We ask that you apply for a specific department based on your strengths and passions as a theater artist. You may apply for no more than two departments, but if hired, you will only be assigned to one. Internships usually begin in May and end in early August, running 8-12weeks. Join us in historic Shepherdstown, the summer home for bold, new American theater.

Learn More»

UNION AFFILIATIONS

CATF is proud to employ members of the following unions and associations:

Actors’ Equity Association

Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc.

United Scenic Artists

SCRIPT SUBMISSION POLICY

If you are an agent representing a playwright and would like to submit a script for consideration, please fill out this form.

If you are a playwright self-submitting a script for consideration, please fill out this form.

AUDITIONS:

NYC auditions are handled by McCorkle Casting, Ltd.