Contemporary American Theater Festival 2026 Summer Season – NYC EPA (02.19.26)

February 7, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Entertainment

New York City’s Pearl Studios will host auditions for Equity actors seeking roles in the 2026 season of the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The auditions, an Equity Principal Audition (EPA), are scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a lunch break from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

A Diverse Season of Plays

CATF’s 2026 season will feature five distinct productions: The Bridge, Miss May Does Not Exist, Refugee Rhapsody, The Smoker and ¡VOS!. Actors are being sought for all roles, with a specific note that understudies will only be considered for the role of “VOICE” in The Bridge.

Did You Know? The Contemporary American Theater Festival’s season will run from July 10th through August 2nd, 2026, with first rehearsals beginning June 9th, 2026.

Contract and Compensation

The positions offered are under a LORT Rep contract, with a weekly minimum of $839 until June 28, 2026, increasing to $889 per week after June 29, 2026. The festival operates under LORT D guidelines for compensation.

Audition Requirements

Actors auditioning should prepare a brief, one-minute contemporary monologue and bring a physical copy of their headshot and resume, stapled together. Due to a scheduled system upgrade, sign-ups for the audition will begin earlier than usual, and cancellations via Casting Call may be temporarily unavailable. Actors needing to cancel appointments are advised to return to Casting Call once the upgrade is complete.

Expert Insight: The EPA format ensures a standardized audition process, providing Equity actors with a fair opportunity to showcase their talents to a regional theater committed to new American works. This process is vital for maintaining professional standards and fostering a diverse talent pool within the American theater landscape.

Key Personnel

The artistic direction for the festival is led by Peggy McKowen, with Amy Wratchford serving as Managing Director. Casting is being handled by McCorkle Casting, LTD, with Jeffrey Dreisbach and Katie Dietrich expected to be present at the auditions.

A Look at the Productions

The Bridge, written by Harmon dot aut and directed by Craig Lucas, centers on Franky, an Autistic, queer artist experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis. Miss May Does Not Exist, by Beth Kander and directed by Jessica Kubzansky, explores the complex dynamic between comedy duo Nichols and May. Refugee Rhapsody, penned by Yussef El Guindi and directed by Zi Alikhan, delves into themes of love and crime within the Arab-American refugee experience. Lisa D’Amour’s The Smoker, directed by Shelly Butler, examines community through the shared act of smoking. Finally, ¡VOS!, written by Christina Pumariega, explores the lives of women in Argentina against a backdrop of political upheaval.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of audition is this?

This is an Equity Principal Audition (EPA), meaning it is open to members of Actors’ Equity Association.

Where will the auditions be held?

Auditions will be held at Pearl Studios (Studio 500 and Holding Room Studio 311) located at 500 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018-6504.

What is the weekly minimum salary?

The weekly minimum salary is $839 until June 28, 2026, and $889 after June 29, 2026, under a LORT Rep contract.

As the Contemporary American Theater Festival prepares for its 2026 season, what role do you believe regional theaters play in fostering new voices and challenging conventional narratives in American theater?