Audition for An Inspector Calls this Saturday!

We are thrilled to kick off our 2023 season with an exciting thriller that will give actors wonderful challenges and delight audiences.

What: Open auditions for An Inspector Calls, the acclaimed class conflict thriller framed as an Edwardian ghost story, written by J.B. Priestly, directed by Isaac Joyce-Shaw.

When: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29.

Where: Pentacle Theatre rehearsal studio, 197 Liberty St. S. in downtown Salem. Free parking is available on the first two floors of the Liberty Square Parkade, above the rehearsal studio.

Note: Bring a mask and proof of up-to-date Covid vaccination. 

The story: Set in 1912, Priestley's classic play, which centers on a middle-class British family called to account for its moral crimes by the enigmatic Inspector Goole, stands as a metaphor for our own failure to accept our responsibility to others. — Sources: Samuel French and Wikipedia

The characters: Casting seven actors able to play the following roles:

• Inspector Goole — age: 20s+, not gender-specific— A mysterious inspector who says they are investigating the suicide of a young woman named Eva Smith and questions the Birlings' involvement in it. We are looking for an actor to bring alive the mystery of this role and bring a contemporary edge to this piece.
• Arthur Birling — age: mid-50s — A wealthy factory owner and politician. He represents the capitalist ruling class and describes himself with pride as a hard-headed businessperson.
• Syble Birling — age: about 50 — Arthur’s wife. A rather cold woman who as the leader of a charitable organization assumes a social and moral superiority over those she considers lesser.
• Sheila Birling — age: 20s — Sheila begins as a naive and self-centered young woman, but by the play's end her social conscience has been awakened and she has a new awareness of her responsibilities to others.
• Eric Birling — age: 20s — A young man with a drinking habit, he is distanced from the rest of his family and feels he cannot talk to them about his problems.
• Gerald Croft — age: 20s – 30s — The son of Arthur’s biggest business rival, he is at the Birling home to celebrate his recent engagement to Sheila.
• Edna — age: 20s+ — The Birling family maid. A working-class member of the household staff.

An Inspector Calls is generously sponsored by the Family of Alice Mary Norton.

Information: If you have questions or a conflict on the audition date, please contact director Isaac Joyce-Shaw at 971-304-8862.

Pentacle Theatre affirms, promotes and celebrates the participation of all, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or socioeconomic status.

For 2023: New Ticket Pricing

You know how costs are going up…especially for live performances? That can be an “ouch” on your pocketbook.

Pentacle Theatre has heard you and we are listening!

To respond to you, our loyal patrons, Pentacle Theatre is keeping most seats at 2019 levels by introducing flexible tiered seat prices.

This is also a way that we can expand access to Pentacle’s performances to a wider audience.

You will see that we have adjusted ticket pricing to reflect seat demand. The price for the most asked-for seats has increased while the cost for other seats has decreased.

The base price seat for Friday and Saturday tickets (seats labeled B, in green) are the same as our 2019 ticket prices: $25 for a play and $30 for a musical. Premium seats (labeled A, in red) cost more and wing seats (labeled C, in purple) are discounted.

In addition, all tiers for Thursday performances are further reduced in price. As in the past, Sunday’s tickets for all tiers will be slightly higher because of higher demand.

What’s next?

• First, we will reach out to current season ticket holders about renewal. If this describes you, you should have received an email from our office letting you know.
• Second, we will reach out 2020 season ticket holders.
• Finally, we will open up renewals to the general public.

We will mail a season ticket brochure to everyone who was a 2020 season ticket holder and those who purchased single tickets to our 2021 and 2022 productions. Sign up here, if you want to be sure you are on the mailing list. 

If you have questions, please stop by our downtown office at 197 Liberty St. SE in Salem. You can also email us at tickets@pentacletheatre.org or call 503-485-4300.



We are open Tuesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Read more about the changes here. 

Mark your calendar: Nov. 13 is a big day

It’s hard to believe we are starting to work on season selection for 2024, Pentacle’s 70th year!

For 2024, we want to draw audiences in by telling exciting stories, old and new. Let’s look to new play experiences. Let’s bring back shows from the past that represent the vast history of 70 years of Pentacle. Let’s look for for shows that are a hit. What scripts excite YOU?

The 2024 Season Selection Kick Off will be held in conjunction with the November Directors' Forum meeting. 

The General Membership meeting will follow at 2:00 pm in the same location. November is a busy month and we are hopeful that combining these meetings will allow more of you to attend.

What: 2024 Season Selection Kick Off and Directors' Forum Meeting

When: 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13. 

Where: Pentacle Theatre's new downtown location at 197 Liberty St. SE, Salem

This meeting will be immediately followed by the theater's General Membership meeting. Members will soon receive the agenda for that meeting. 

Thank you to everyone who came out to see She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition. It was so exciting to see more people in our house. We look forward to seeing you again.

P.S. Pentacle loves our Sustaining Circle members. You can sign up to make a monthly donation here. Your gifts make great theater possible.