HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 36

(By Delegates Lawrence, Doyle, Barill, Cann, Ennis, Ferns, Ferro, Hall, Hatfield, Manchin, Martin, Morgan, Moye, Pasdon, Perry, R. Phillips, D. Poling, Rodighiero, Shaver, Skaff, Smith, Staggers Sumner and Williams)

Recognizing the economic importance of the annual Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown to the town of Shepherdstown, Jefferson County and the State of West Virginia.

    Whereas, The Contemporary American Theater Festival was founded in 1991 by Ed Herendeen and during its twenty-year history it has produced eighty new plays, thirty world premieres and commissioned eight new productions; and

    Whereas, As a result of its rich history the Contemporary American Theater Festival has gained nationwide attention and is recognized as one of the significant arts organizations in the nation; and

    Whereas, The Contemporary American Theater Festival attracts audiences from around the world and twenty-six states during its four-week festival held during the mid-summer in Shepherdstown on the grounds of Shepherdstown University; and

    Whereas, Economic studies have demonstrated that visitors spend more money when attending cultural events than do local residents; and

    Whereas, Sixty percent of the Contemporary American Theater Festival audience is from out of state and in 2008 over eleven thousand tickets to individual plays were sold and the average spent per audience member per ticket was $132; and

    Whereas, The total economic impact of the Contemporary American Theater Festival to the economies of Shepherdstown, Jefferson County and the state is $3.2 million; and

    Whereas, Patrons of the Contemporary American Theater Festival contribute $2.1 million and corporate and organizational contributions total $1.1 million; and

    Whereas, The Contemporary American Theater Festival has created the equivalent eighty-seven full-time jobs; and

    Whereas, An investment in the Contemporary American Theater Festival has not only enriched the lives of tens of thousands of people, it has had a significant economic impact in the region by leveraging additional spending in the region and state; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

     We gratefully acknowledge the significance of and the economic importance of the Contemporary American Theater Festival to Shepherdstown University, the town of Shepherdstown, Jefferson County and West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates, forward a certified copy of this resolution to Ed Herendeen, founder and Producing Director of the Contemporary American Theater Festival, Jim Auxer, Mayor of Shepherdstown and Dr. Suzanne Shipley, President of Shepherd University.