Salem Theatre Company

June 30, 2005

IMPROV SALEM!

A day of improv comedy, in the spirit of the hit TV show Whose Line Is It, Anyway?

Saturday, August 20th
At the newly-built Griffen Theatre (7 Lynde Street)

4:00pm - FAMILY FRIENDLY IMPROV

Bring your kids along for this interactive improv afternoon! Parents and children will have a chance to participate in the fun on stage with our professional comedians! Adults $10, children 14 and under $5.

8:00pm - BATTLE OF THE IMPROV COMEDIANS

It's survival of the funniest as the veteran members of the Salem Theatre Company's professional Improv Troupe - under the leadership of Erik Rodenhiser - go head to head with the highly-acclaimed comedians of Salem State College's student improv troupe Grandma's Third Leg. At the end of each game, YOU the audience will have the chance to VOTE A COMEDIAN OFF THE STAGE! ...until there's only one comic left standing... $15 adults only.

Seating is limited, so book early by calling 978-790-8546 or filling out the reservation form on this page. The Griffen Theatre is air-conditioned and handicapped-accessible.

May 13, 2005

Last night, at the Opening Night Celebration for the Salem Theatre Company's production of Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN, the nonprofit community arts group announced its new Artistic Director for the 2005-2006 Season. The evening was attended by local elected officials, community leaders, and arts supporters.

After introductions from STC President Rob Gray and Salem's State Representative John Keenan, outgoing STC Founding Artistic Director Matteo Pangallo welcomed Paul T. Mitri as the new Artistic Director. Mitri expressed his desire to continue the mission of the STC in building a home for the performing arts in downtown Salem. "The Salem Theatre Company has already done so much for this community," Mitri remarked, "our goal is not only to keep that momentum going but to take things to a whole new level."

One of the founders and long-time artistic director of the Seattle Shakespeare Festival, a professional theatre company in Washington, Mitri has taught theatre in Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Egypt, and Japan, and now is an associate professor of theatre at Salem State College. A Salem resident, Mitri will bring his talents as a director, writer, choreographer, and actor to bear in planning the STC's new season and taking the helm for the four mainstage productions of 2005-2006. The plays that the group will produce next year will be announced later this summer. The season will focus mostly on comedies and light-hearted fare.

Representative Keenan praised the work of the STC and its founder in enriching Salem’s cultural and educational offerings. He also pointed out the economic benefits that the theatre company has provided for the city. "Industry research shows that for every $1 spent on a theatre ticket, that patron spends $4 on the local economy," Keenan said, "That means that with over $130,000 in ticket sales for its first three years, the Salem Theatre Company has pumped over half a million dollars into the Salem economy. Of its 12,000 patrons in that time, 9,600 have dined out at one of our local restaurants. This is why the STC is a great force for positive growth in our quality of life and our economy." Keenan presented Pangallo with a resolution of congratulations from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and a letter of thanks from U.S. Representative John Tierney.

Pangallo, who also celebrated his 24th birthday at the event, will be leaving Salem at the end of this summer to pursue a graduate degree in Shakespearean Studies at the Globe Theatre in London. He encouraged everyone to continue their support of the group and observed that what makes a theatre company a success is not one personality or leader, but all of the patrons, donors, actors, volunteers, and board members that give of their time and talent to make it a success. "Even though I am stepping down," he said, "the Salem Theatre Company is stepping up. We have done a great deal, staging our productions, providing readings for new works by local playwrights, bringing theatre workshops to local schools, partnering with other community organizations, winning numerous awards and grants...but we can and must do more. There is much left to accomplish and I am confident that under Paul's leadership, the Salem Theatre Company will continue to grow and achieve great things."

THE BEST MAN, a classic American political drama by award-winning novelist Gore Vidal, runs for three weekends only: May 12 - 28, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 7:00pm. The show is staged at St. Peter's Church hall, located at 24 St. Peter Street in downtown Salem, MA. Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for students and seniors, and can be booked by calling 978-790-8546 or visiting the STC website at www.SalemTheatre.org.

April 25, 2005

SALEM THEATRE WELCOMES AUDIENCE TO VOTE FOR "THE BEST MAN"

Salem, MA -- Two candidates go head-to-head for the highest office in the land. One is an idealistic, intellectual liberal from New England. The other is an ambitious, conservative, self-made man from the South.

No, it's not the 2004 Presidential Election; it's Gore Vidal's classic American political drama "The Best Man". Written in 1963, the play depicts the cutthroat action that goes on behind the scenes in the last few days of a fictional presidential nominating convention set in a Philadelphia hotel in 1960. Though written more than forty years ago, the play explores many themes and characters that are still relevant today. "Vidal's play is both timeless and timely," notes production director Dominick Pangallo, "With humor, sadness, and at times rich irony, the playwright delves deep and shows all sides of the candidates, the pundits, the press, even the public."

The final production of the theatre company's 2004-2005 Second Season, "The Best Man" was preceded by productions of Anne Nelson's "The Guys" in September 2004, Barbara Robinson's "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" in December 2004, and the American premiere of Seamus Heaney's "The Burial at Thebes" in February 2005. "All of the plays of the second season," notes STC president Rob Gray, "were chosen because they speak to the issue of humanity's perpetual struggle for some kind of ideal. 'The Best Man' raises important questions about how we choose our elected leaders and the types of personalities that rise to the top in American society."

In a nod to the play's political theme, audience members will be invited to cast a ballot for their preferred candidate during intermission each evening. The theatre company will keep a running tally after each show to see if contemporary voters pick the same candidate that Vidal decided to choose back in 1963. Each ballot will list the candidates and also offer a blank write-in spot where people can elect to vote for someone else.

The cast features Richard White (Sudbury) and Judson Pierce (Arlington), as the two rival candidates. Julie Korzenik (Marblehead) and Jessica Shulman (Salem) play the candidates' wives; Bob Karish and Marc Fillion (both of Salem) are the rival campaign managers. Craig Owen (Georgetown), Bob Stewart (Manchester), and Pauline Wright (Lynn) arbitrate the clash of the candidates as an ex-President, a Senator, and a Party activist respectively. The cast is rounded out by James DeSantis (Salem), Caroline Watson-Felt (Salem), Don Callahan (Salem), Jim Robinson (Lynn), Benjamin Casselman (Salem), Michael Croteau (Peabody), and Corey Smith (Salem).

The play is directed by Dominick Pangallo (Salem), stage managed by Jason Feran (Beverly), assistant stage managed by Cathleen Hoelscher (Beverly), and produced by Matteo Pangallo (Salem), with lighting design by William Smalley (Marblehead), sound design by Kevin Walker (Salem), and costume design by Alicia Greenwood (Salem).

Before the opening night performance, STC Board of Advisors member Mary Usovicz and Salem's State Representative John Keenan, will host an elegant reception at the National Park Service's Regional Visitors Center, located across the street from the theatre. The reception runs from 6:30pm to curtain, will feature fine food and wine from Effortless Edibles, and will include both current and past local and state public officials. Following the performance, reception guests will be invited to an exclusive mix-and-mingle coffee hour with the cast and crew.

"The Best Man" will be presented at St. Peter's Church hall, located at 24 St. Peter Street in downtown historic Salem, Massachusetts, May 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 26th, and 28th at 8:00pm and May 15th and 22nd at 7:00pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for full-time students and seniors 65 and over. Tickets for the Opening Night Reception are $50 and include the pre-show reception, the performance that evening, and a coffee and tea meet-and-greet with the actors and crew after the show. Reservations and additional information are available by calling (978) 790-8546 or visiting www.SalemTheatre.org.

March 23, 2005

SALEM THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES CAST, PRODUCTION DATES FOR "THE BEST MAN"

Gore Vidal's classic American political drama to close critically acclaimed 2004-2005 Second Season of local theatre group

SALEM - The Salem Theatre Company will produce the classic American political drama THE BEST MAN, by award winning writer Gore Vidal, as the final production of the award-winning local theatre group's 2004-2005 Second Season.

The company of THE BEST MAN includes professional and local talent from Salem and around the North Shore, including Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theaters award nominees and winners, American College Theater Festival award nominees, and Independent Reviewers of New England theater award nominees.

"We're extremely pleased with the cast we're fielding for this particular production," said STC founding Artistic Director Matteo Pangallo, "It's a very powerful group in terms of experience, talent, and skill."

The cast features Richard White (Sudbury) and Judson Pierce (Arlington), as two rival candidates for their Party's presidential nomination. Julie Korzenik (Marblehead) and Jessica Shulman (Salem) turn in powerful performances as the candidates' wives, as do Bob Karish and Marc Fillion (both of Salem), as the rival campaign managers. Craig Owen (Georgetown), Bob Stewart (Manchester), and Pauline Wright (Lynn) arbitrate the clash of the candidates as an
ex-President, a Senator, and a Party activist respectively.

The cast is rounded out by James DeSantis (Salem), Caroline Watson-Felt (Salem), Don Callahan (Salem), Jim Robinson (Lynn), Benjamin Casselman (Salem), and Corey Smith (Salem).

Vidal's play tells the story of competing presidential candidates William Russell, the ex-Secretary of State and a liberal and scrupulous intellectual, and Joseph Cantwell, a young and ruthless Senator who will do whatever it takes to win the presidency. Each candidate uncovers powerful dirt on the other, but which will use it? What will the outcome be? And who, truly, is the best man in the end?

Although the play was written in the early 1960s, Vidal's characters and storyline are as relevant today as they ever were. Using the framework of the two campaigns, the play explores the ethics, emotions, and personalities that have come to characterize much of modern American politics.

"Vidal's fresh and sharp dialogue, his intriguing and surprising story, and his highly accessible characters all craft a play that is both timely and timeless," said production director (and twin brother of Matteo Pangallo) Dominick Pangallo, "In the play and in real life, we are constantly reassessing who the 'best man' is in politics and even what criteria we might use to make that judgment. The ethical dilemma which Vidal places his characters in the midst of is one that even today, over four decades later, we are still struggling to resolve."

The play has been in rehearsals for only two weeks, but already both Pangallo brothers are excited by the progress that has been made. "The company has really come together,"said Dominick, "They've been getting along as an ensemble since day one. I think they're going to bring a really engaging and sharp production of the play to the stage in May."

THE BEST MAN will be presented at St. Peter's Church parish hall, at 24 St. Peter Street in historic downtown Salem, Massachusetts, May 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 26th, and 28th at 8:00pm and May 15th and 22nd at 7:00pm. Advance reservations and additional information are available by calling (978) 790-8546 or visiting the Calendar and Reservations page at www.SalemTheatre.org.

March 16, 2005

I'm very excited to announce for all you Shakespeare
fans that the registration fee for the workshops with
Andrew Wade has been REDUCED!

These workshops offer you the chance to work in a small
group with Andrew Wade, recently retired after twenty
years as the Head of Voice for the Royal Shakespeare
Company. Over the course of four days, Andrew will
teach you the techniques he has used for the last two
decades with the professional actors of the RSC --
learn about Shakespeare's language and his poetry, and
how to use those clues to help develop your acting
skills of performance, characterization, and vocal
power. This workshop series is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity and is perfect for professional or
nonprofessional actors, stage veterans or beginners,
students or teachers!

Sign up before Friday, April 1 and enjoy the all-new
reduced rates:

$350 for adults (formerly $450)
$250 for youth 18 and under (formerly $350)

As a special thank you, members of Stage Source and/or
actors from any previous (or current) Salem Theatre Company or Salem Theatre Project production and/or students who have participated in a Rebel Shakespeare Company program within the last three years can enjoy a FURTHER discount:

$325 for adults
$225 for youth 18 and under

Remember that space in these workshops is EXTREMELY
LIMITED, so be sure to sign up today! We'll be giving
space in these workshops on a first-come, first-served
basis. To enroll, simply send an email to the STC and
include:

1. Your name and full contact information
2. The session you would like to sign up for:

YOUTH SESSIONS (18 and under)
I. May 28 through May 31; 3:00pm to 5:00pm daily
or
II. June 1 through June 4; 3:00pm to 5:00pm daily
ADULT SESSIONS
I. May 28 - May 31; 7:00pm to 9:00pm daily
or
II. June 1 - June 4; 7:00pm to 9:00pm daily

3. Your favorite Shakespearean play and role
4. Your three favorite words
5. A word or phrase that you have grown up with and
that was coined by Shakespeare

After you send the email, mail your payment (check or
money order only, made payable to "Salem Theatre
Company") to:

Salem Theatre Company
Attn: Andrew Wade Shakespeare Workshops
27 Buffum Street
Salem, MA 01970

Payment must be received within one week of
registration. After payment is received you will
receive a confirmation of your enrollment and further
information.

---------------------------

Also for all you Shakespeare fans:

join the Salem Theatre Company for our second annual

OPEN MIKE SHAKESPEARE NIGHT

Saturday, April 23

7:00pm to 9:30pm

Front Street Coffeehouse, 20 Front Street in Salem, MA

Celebrate the bard's 441th birthday by bringing your
favorite scene, sonnet, or soliloquoy. A box of scripts
will also be available for those who feel like jumping
up on stage without preparation. If performance isn't
your style, come relax, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy
the show!

$5 suggested donation at the door (participants already
registered for the Wade Workshops receive free
admission)

Best spring wishes to all,

Matteo Pangallo, Artistic Director

January 28, 2005

ANDREW WADE will be coming back to Salem this spring
for a special workshop opportunity. Learn how to use
Shakespeare's language in performance from an
international master teacher. Wade was the head of
voice for the Royal Shakespeare Company for 20 years,
works as the vocal coach for the Guthrie Theatre, and
has been the voice consultant for TV and films
(including Shakespeare In Love). This a truly unique
opportunity for professionals and novices, students and
teachers, and everyone else to learn the performance
techniques developed by Andrew over the last two
decades and still used by the Royal Shakespeare Company
to this day!

There will be FOUR workshops -- two for youth ages
12-19 and two for adults 20 and over. Each workshop
will meet for two hours per day for four consecutive
days.

Saturday, May 28 - Tuesday, May 31
3:00pm - 5:00pm, Youth Workshop 1
7:00pm - 9:00pm, Adult Workshop 1

Wednesday, June 1 - Sunday, June 4
3:00pm - 5:00pm, Youth Workshop 2
7:00pm - 9:00pm, Adult Workshop 2

There is no difference between Workshop 1 and Workshop
2, so you only need to register for one of them. To
avoid potential conflicts, we've scheduled these spring
workshops for afternoons and evenings (for those in
school or with day-jobs). Also, the registration price
has been reduced by more than 50% from the previous
workshops!

The capacity for these will be only 12 people per
workshop session, so if you want to guarantee yourself
a place: BOOK EARLY! The deadline to register will be
Friday, April 1; early registrants will enjoy a further
reduced price! The workshops will be held in Salem,
Massachusetts and are designed for both beginners and
those with stage experience.

Adult Fee: $425 (before Feb. 28) / $450 (after Feb. 28)
Youth Fee: $325 (before Feb. 28) / $350 (after Feb. 28)

To register, send check (payable to "Salem Theatre
Company") and a letter with your contact information,
your favorite Shakespeare play and role, your favorite
three words, a word or phrase with which you are
familiar and that was coined by Shakespeare, and the
session you want to sign up for to:

Salem Theatre Company
27 Buffum Street
Salem, MA 01970

Help us spread the word about this great opportunity by
forwarding this message to any and all thespians you know of -- students and teachers, amateurs and professionals!

January 19, 2005

This February, the award-winning Salem Theatre Company will present one of the first American performances of THE BURIAL AT THEBES The play is a new version of Sophocles' classic Greek tragedy ANTIGONE, translated by Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet Seamus Heaney. Commissioned for the Abbey Theatre of Ireland's 100th anniversary this past year, THE BURIAL AT THEBES tells the legendary tale of Antigone, the daughter of the doomed Theban king Oedipus, and her fateful clash with the newly crowned king Creon.

"The play explores a number of timeless themes," notes STC Artistic Director Matteo Pangallo, "Most relevant to us today is the question of whether the good of the family outweighs the good of the state. Perhaps even more importantly, the play explores both the political and the personal consequences of conflict between a tyrannical state and a self-righteous martyr."

Heaney's version of the play, Pangallo notes, was specifically written in response to the current political climate in the United States. Heaney draws parallels between Creon's decree that the people of Thebes are either with him or against him and the Bush administration's use of the war on terror to determine whether people are "patriotic". In the postscript to his play, Heaney, who typically avoids taking overt political positions in his poetry, remarks, "The situation in Sophocles' play was being re-enacted in our own world. Just as Creon forced the citizens of Thebes into an either/or situation in relation to Antigone, the Bush administration in the White House was using the same tactic to forward its argument for war on Iraq."

"In the STC production we don't focus on the politics of the play," Pangallo says, "The politics underlie the story of the play without our needing to emphasize them. Instead, the cast has built a very tangible world around the epic characters who people the play and we explore the dynamic nature of the relationships between them and the terrifying situation they find themselves in." The STC cast features nearly a dozen professional and semi-professional actors from the area and a production team of community volunteers.

THE BURIAL AT THEBES runs February 10 - 26 on Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 5:00pm. It will be staged at St. Peter's Church hall, 24 St. Peter Street in downtown Salem, MA. Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for students & seniors. For reservations and information call 978-790-8546 or visit www.salemtheatre.org.

November 11, 2004



SALEM THEATRE COMPANY GETS IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT



Local Theatre Company to Present Barbara Robinson's

Classic "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"



SALEM, MA - The Salem Theatre Company will present

Barbara Robinson's holiday classic "The Best Christmas

Pageant Ever" as the second production of its 2004-2005

Season. Directed by Ellen Becker-Gray of Salem and

Betty Lautner of Marblehead, and produced/designed by

Robert Gray of Salem, the production features a cast of

nearly twenty actors of all ages, hailing from all over

the north shore.



"Robinson's festive tale of yuletide humor has charmed

readers for over thirty years," remarks STC Artistic

Director Matteo Pangallo, "And this stage version,

adapted for performance by the author herself, contains

all the delight and appeal of the original book. The

STC is proud to be offering this December treat for

theatre-lovers of all ages."



The play features Frank MacDonald (Peabody) as Father,

Holly Grose (Salem) as Mother, Julie Korzenik

(Marblehead) as Mrs. Armstrong, Geoffrey Lubbock

(Marblehead) as Reverend Hopkins, Barbara Dempsey-West

(Salem) as Mrs. McCarthy, Wendy Webber (Marblehead) as

Mrs. Slocum, Karl Fried (Swampscott) as the Fireman,

Stephanie Harris (Beverly) as Alice, Rebecca Maddalo

(Cambridge) as Maxine, Leah Camire (Salem) as Kendra,

Allie Theriault (Beverly) as Beth, Henry McLean

(Marblehead) as Charlie, Hannah Duffy (Marblehead) as

Imogene Herdman, Liam Fried (Swampscott) as Leroy

Herdman, Jed Lautner (Marblehead) as Claude Herdman,

Andrew Hill (Swampscott) as Ollie Herdman, Wilson

Lautner (Marblehead) as Ralph Herdman, Alea Moscone

(Marblehead) as Gladys Herdman, and Kenneth Veilleux

(Lynn) as David.



"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" will run December 2,

4, 9, 16, and 18 at 7:00pm and December 5, 12, and 19

at 3:00pm. The show will be staged at St. Peter's

Church hall, located at 24 St. Peter Street in downtown

Salem, MA. Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for

students and seniors and may be reserved by calling

978-790-8546 or booking online at the Salem Theatre

Company website: www.salemtheatre.org.

September 16, 2004

Salem Theatre Offers Autumn Shakespeare Workshop

Salem, MA -- The Salem Theatre Company is now accepting reservations for its fall workshop: "Speak the Speech: An Introduction to Shakespeare's Sonnets, Soliloquies, and Monologues in Performance". The workshop will introduce beginners and those with moderate stage experience to how Shakespeare's language can be used to explore character and make performance decisions. All ages welcome. The program will run Tuesdays, October 5 through November 30, from 6:30pm-8:30pm each week, in downtown Salem, MA. The program will culminate on Wednesday, December 1, with a free public performance of monologues, sonnets, and soliloquies.

The instructor will be Salem Theatre Company founding artistic director Matteo Pangallo. Pangallo is a certified theatre arts instructor who has been involved with theatre in America, England, and Australia as a writer, director, and actor for seventeen years. Registration for the workshop is $250 and proceeds will be used to help fund the STC's year-round season of performing arts activities.

Course size is limited to twelve; the deadline to register is Friday, October 1. Applicants may register by mailing payment by check (made payable to Salem Theatre Company), along with full contact information to: Salem Theatre Company, Attn: Fall Workshop Registration, 27 Buffum Street, Salem, MA 01970. Registration by email or phone will not be accepted. Refunds only with cancellation before October 12 or in the event of program termination. Call 978-790-8546 for more information.

May 1, 2004

Salem Theatre Company's The Tempest Opens Thursday, May 13

Special May 15 Benefit Reception Highlights Nine-Performance Run

The Salem Theatre Company presents The Tempest, William Shakespeare's powerful story of exile and reconciliation and freedom and servitude for nine performances beginning Thursday, May 13, at Saint Peter's Church Hall, 24 Saint Peter Street in downtown Salem.

Marking the end of a highly successful debut season that was designed to build a vibrant theatre community in the city and on the North Shore, the Salem Theatre Company will perform The Tempest:

· Thursdays, May 13, 20, 27 at 8 p.m.
· Saturdays, May 15, 22, 29 at 8 p.m.
· Sundays, May 16, 23, 30 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. For box office and ticket information, please call 978-790-8546. Special group discount rates are available for parties over ten that book in advance. Additional school programs are available for school groups that book at least one week in advance.

Benefit Reception Set for May 15

On Saturday evening, May 15, the STC will host a special benefit performance and post-show reception. The reception will include hors d'oeuvres, champagne, a meet-and-greet with the cast and crew, and live music. The 8 p.m. performance at Saint Peter's Hall will be followed by the reception at the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center across the street. The cost for the evening is $50; reservations are required. Please call 978-790-8546.

Saint Peter's Church is within walking distance of the Salem commuter rail station, and plenty of free parking is available on Church Street and Federal Street.

About STC's Production of The Tempest

The Tempest is directed by Matteo Pangallo, the founder and Artistic Director of the STC. The production is designed by Rob Gray, Amy Aldrich, and Matteo Pangallo, with music by Salvatore Pangallo and William Shube. The stage manager is Catherine Mangan. Special voice coaching is provided by Andrew Wade, Master of Voice for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The cast, drawn from Salem and the North Shore, is composed of Amy Aldrich (Ariel), Jim Butterfield (Prospero), Steve Feiven (Antonio), Marc Fillion (Trinculo), Christopher Finn (Boatswain), Jeremy McKeen (Stephano), Amanda Meehan (Miranda), John Melczer (Sebastian), Janelle Mills (Ariel), Craig Owen (Alonso), Dave Rich (Caliban), Jim Robinson (Gonzalo), and Corey Smith (Ferdinand).

"The Tempest is a tale for all times and all people," remarks Pangallo. "Of all Shakespeare's plays it has the greatest number of global influences - with touches of European, North American, South American, and African traditions, folktales, and characters. Like Salem itself, The Tempest is a cultural crossroads. In its heart-lifting story of reconciliation and forgiveness, of love found and families reunited, we see Shakespeare work his own most perfect magic of language, music, and enchantment. Prospero's island, like both the stage and 'the great globe itself', is a world where nothing is beyond the infinite power of our imagination. And as Shakespeare's final work, it is fitting for the STC to conclude its inaugural season with this singularly greatest of plays."

Production of The Tempest is made possible in part by a grant from the Salem Arts Council, the local branch of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

February 9, 2004

The Salem Theatre Company presents...

COMEDY A LA CARTE!
An evening of professional standup and improv comedy!

Friday, February 20 at 8:00pm -- ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Upstairs at the Lyceum Bar and Grill (43 Church Street in downtown Salem). Cash bar and appetizers.

Featuring the improvisational comedy of Erik Rodenhiser, Bruce Whear, Bernadette Adams, Steve Stuart, and Bob Karish. With the standup comedy of Mark Scalia.

978-790-8546 for reservations. $15. This show will contain adult content and extreme humor.

July 5, 2003

I would like to briefly thank the many individuals who
helped make the Salem Fourth of July festivities such
a huge success. This was the first year the Salem
Theatre Company was involved with the event and we
were thrilled to be a part of it!

In particular, I would like to thank the volunteers
who worked at the STC table, including Georgette Pied,
Norene Gachignard, Polly Rodenhiser, Hannah Diozzi,
Jean Fogle, Ursina Amsler and Griffin, and the many
others who helped out. I would also like to thank
those members of our Board of Directors who pitched in
to put our table together and staff it, including John
Fogle, Richard King, Erik "Captain Scurvy" Rodenhiser,
and our coordinator Peg Voss. I would like to offer
special thanks to Board member Mary Usovicz for
pulling the entire evening together and helping us get
a spot on the wharf and to Crosby's Market for giving
the STC a special deal on watermelons and cookies.

The Salem Theatre Company was proud to help the City
celebrate our country's Independence Day and honor the
men and women of our armed forces. I look forward to
future opportunities in which the STC can provide its
services to the city, its residents, and its
neighbors. For more information about the Company,
including details on our first production -- "Sylvia",
by A. R. Gurney -- going up from July 18 to August 3
at the Bates Elementary School, visit us online at
www.salemtheatre.org or call 978-317-5821.

May 17, 2003

This is it!

Your last chance to be a part of the first production of the Salem Theatre Company's inaugural 2003-2004 Season is coming up!

There will be one more evening of auditions on TUESDAY, MAY 20 at 6:30pm at the Bates School theatre, on Liberty Hill Avenue. We are particularly interested in finding two male actors, age 35-55.

To schedule an audition, email adrienneeffron@yahoo.com.

April 26, 2003

Just a reminder: auditions for our first show, "Sylvia", are coming up on May 14 and 15. Auditions will be held at the Bates School, 53 Liberty Hill Avenue. Park behind the school and enter the building from the front entrance. The theater is located straight down the steps, through the lobby, and up the smaller flight of stairs.

If you would like to confirm your intention to audition (recommended), please email info@salemtheatre.org as soon as possible. Once again, we are looking for two men and two women. For further information, you may email us at the above address.

October 4, 2002

Thank you for your patience and your input over the last month as we have attempted to pin-down the 2003-2004 season for the young Salem Theatre Project. We are pleased to announce that the following productions have been scheduled for the upcoming season. Venues have yet to be booked, however, and those listed below merely represent what we HOPE to get. For those of you who suggested plays that did not make it into the season, we hope to continue working with you so we may include them in the next season and in
the future: let's plan on being around for a while!

In addition to the positions listed beneath each performance, we are looking for a company publicist to handle all of our press release, poster, postcard, and advertising activities. As with many of the positions listed below, this job will receive a small compensatory fee.

Any auditions for the productions this season will be announced as they are scheduled by the individual production directors.

Finally, over the next two months we will be corresponding with the individuals who have been invited to serve on the Board of Directors and the Board of Advisors. These people will be responsible for leading the organization in development and fundraising, hiring decisions, programming, and policy-making. As soon as both Boards have been filled, we will send out an announcement with the names of the members.

--------------
Salem Theatre Project: 2003-2004 Season

"I Hate Hamlet" by Paul Rudnick -- July 18-20 and 25-27, Colonial Hall

Cast Needed:
3 Men
3 Women
Staff Needed:
Director
Production Manager
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Costumier
Properties Master
Lighting Director (Design and Tech)
Sound Director (Design and Tech)
Set Director (Design and Tech)
House Manager

"The Guys" by Anne Nelson -- September 5-7 and 11-14, Salem Athenaeum

Cast Needed:
1 Man
1 Woman
Staff Needed:
Stage Manager
Costumes/Properties Master
Technical Director (Lights and Sound)
House Manager

"The Crucible" by Arthur Miller -- October 17-19 and 24-26, Old Town Hall

Cast Needed:
10 Men
10 Women (varying ages)
Staff Needed:
Director
Production Manager
Stage Manager
Assistant Manager
Costumier
Properties Master
Lighting Director
Sound Director
Set Director
House Manager

"The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler -- February 6-8 and 13-15, Salem Athenaeum

Cast Needed:
3-6 Women (varying ages)
Staff Needed:
Director
Stage Manager
Costumes/Properties Manager
Technical Director
House Manager

"The Tempest" by William Shakespeare -- June 4-6 and 11-13, Undetermined

Cast Needed:
Undetermined
Staff Needed:
Production Manager
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Costumier
Properties Master
Lighting Director
Music Director
Set Director
House Manager

*Note: Not all positions are paid and those that are paid are only minimally so. Prior experience not required for all positions, but energy, enthusiasm, and ability to work with a team are required. All acting positions will be offered compensation as a percentage of box office net.
If you are interested in a specific role in one of the above productions, or if you are interested in a specific staff position, please contact us at your earliest possible convenience.

August 28, 2002:
Letter to the Salem News:
Letter: Local theater group has promising future

To the Editor:

"Prospects brilliant; situation desperate, as usual."
-- August Strindberg

I would like to thank the dozens of volunteers and members who helped the Salem Theatre Project successfully stage its first summer season.

The hard work and determination of this group of people allowed us to stage our two productions this summer -- "The Complete History of America (abridged)" and "Zoo Story" -- and bring the performing arts back to downtown Salem.

Hundreds of people from all over the North Shore and the country came to Salem to see these two shows and, through their support of the arts, have helped us raise enough money to begin planning a full 2003-2004 season.

More information about the upcoming season will become available in the near future. In the meantime, anybody interested in getting more information about how they can help the project should visit our website at www.salemtheatre.org.

Again, thank you to our volunteers and our members, and thank you to the community for supporting this young, but determined, organization!

Matteo A. Pangallo, Director
-Salem Theatre Project

August 26, 2002:
From the Director-
Thank you to all of those individuals who helped this summer, as volunteers, as members, as artists, and as audience-members. The summer 2002 Season of the Salem Theatre Project was a great success!

This coming fall we'll be taking a hiatus from production work to focus on the other crucial side of starting a theatre company: incorporation and management. Doesn't sound as glamarous, but it is just as important.

As most of you know, we have secured 501(c)3 nonprofit status by merging with the inactive Salem Arts Center organization. Now begins the process of identifying a board of directors for our nonprofit corporation. Already
a few individuals have been gracious enough to accept my initial invitation. I am still looking for suggestions for three to five additional people to serve in this capacity. In particular, I am looking for:
- community figureheads or leaders
- someone with strong connections in the community
- someone with a background in fundraising
- someone with a legal background in nonprofit/arts law
- someone with a background in accounting

Candidates need not fulfill *all* (or even one) of these criteria - these are merely suggestions for what I'm looking for.

Also this fall I will be releasing more information regarding next year's productions. The full 2003-2004 season will include 4 productions and at least 1 concert or fundraising event. I will be looking for production staff as well as artists for these events. By the end of September, more information regarding auditions, volunteering, and specific production staff positions available will be posted on the website. Many positions
will have to be on a volunteer-basis, though some of those which require more time and energy will be compensated by a percentage of the production's box office net.

Finally, I would like to thank the numerous individuals who have suggested productions for the 2003-2004 season. I assure you that I will consider every suggestion carefully and completely.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any comments or questions regarding the Project.

-- Matteo A. Pangallo
- Director
- Salem Theatre Project
- 27 Buffum Street
- Salem, MA 01970
- (978) 744-8796
- info@salemtheatre.org

info@salemtheatre.org