Twelfth Night, 2022. Photo credit: Vicki Woods Three Tall Women, 2007.
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You may have noticed the statement of inclusivity and welcoming included in all of our audition announcements the past two years. It is heartfelt and genuine.
It reads, "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 Pentacle Theatre, Pride is more than a month. It is a year-round commitment.
We have been fortunate to present plays and musicals on our stage that tell stories of the pain and triumph of LGBTQ+ individuals. As I have discussed before, theater increases the audience's empathy for others, including people and groups they may not be familiar with. Theater is at its most powerful when it elevates the experiences of communities who are often victims of hate, exclusion and discrimination.
These stories have been a part of our seasons from our early days, reflecting our long-term commitment to inclusivity. Here are some of the the productions we have done through the years:
1965: A Taste of Honey
1973,1992 & 2018: Cabaret
1975: The Hot L Baltimore
1976 & 1999: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
1977: The Boys in the Band
1995: Lips Together, Teeth Apart
2005: Gross Indecency
2007: Three Tall Women
2009: Stop Kiss
2011: Rent
2012: The Laramie Project
2013: Sordid Lives
2019: Yellow
2019: Mothers and Sons
2020: The Cake
2021: An Ideal Husband, adapted by Emily Loberg (pictured)
2022: Twelfth Night, adapted by Isaac Joyce-Shaw
How will you recognize Pride Month in your life? I'd love to know. And if you're free this Saturday, please join us downtown for Salem Pride.
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Join us at Salem Pride downtown Saturday |
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When: June 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Salem (State Street between Liberty & Commercial Streets)
What: Start your Pride Celebration off with Yoga at 10am, followed by a Pride March, Live Performances, and more throughout the day!
Visit our booth while enjoying the festivities. Learn more.
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She Kills Monsters open auditions set for July 9
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What: Open auditions for She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition, written by Qui Nguyen, directed by MaryKate Lindbeck.
When: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, July 9.
Where: Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave. NW — located off Highway 22, about 6 miles west of downtown Salem, Oregon.
Casting call: Seeking an ensemble of at least 10 actors, age 18+, able to play high school age.
- Except for the core party, all actors will play multiple roles to create an ensemble of 40+ featured characters, monsters and special effects.
- All actors will perform some combination of choreographed dance, stage combat and puppetry.
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For a full list of roles, genders and ages, please visit our auditions page.
Things to know: Lobby doors open at 12:30 p.m. and open auditions for all roles begin promptly at 1 p.m. Please be on time and plan to stay through 5 p.m.
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
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Sign up for the summer session of Jo Dodge's Acting Workshop
When: June 11 through August 7, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Where: Pentacle Theatre's rehearsal space at 197 Liberty St. SE, Salem OR 97301
Cost: $105
Requirements: All enrollees must provide proof of vaccination to participate and must comply with other COVID protocols established by the theater. Registrants must be 18 years of age or older.
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Missed the Town Hall? Here's a recording |
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During Sunday's Town Hall, we covered the following topics:
Directors’ Forum
Debbie Neel shared that 30 people attended the first meeting of the Directors' Forum. They received a lot of great feedback about what potential directors need to know to be successful at Pentacle Theatre. One of the first items to tackle is the play proposal process.
The next Directors' Forum meeting is set for June 18 at 1:00 p.m. in the new rehearsal space at 197 Liberty St. SE.
2023 Season Selection timeline
We reviewed the key dates and deadlines for the selection process. The goal is to announce a season by August 11.
Script Reading Committee
Laura Davis shared that the committee would like to read more comedies. The group will have a warm list to share with the board by its June 27 regular meeting. The current list is posted on the website.
Updates on the new office/rehearsal space
Liz Rogers shared that the build out is nearly complete. She and Tony Zandol and Cherie Ulmer have been working hard to design the historical display area. Chris Benham will be building some screening walls to increase privacy and reduce noise intrusion. More to come on when we will have a grand opening.
Quinn Connolly reported that a small task force is working on ways to increase revenue by offering more educational classes in the rehearsal space. Eventually, the theater would like to use the new space as a small performance venue.
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Use of screens will reduce paper use. |
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The history display in the design phase. |
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work update
The joint Salem/Keizer Equity Team continues to meet on a monthly basis with facilitators Sidney Morgan and Emily Squires. The next session will focus on an equity lens through which the theater will evaluate it policies, practices and culture.
During this portion of the town hall, Juliet Valdez acknowledged that while Pentacle Theatre has an Equity Team, the team members alone cannot be responsible for moving the organization. The theater needs everyone for this work. Juliet noted that this is emotional work and hard to do alone. It involves talking about complex topics and creating a safe place for hard conversations. We hope that you will join us in this journey. Interested? Email me.
Covid updates
Pentacle continues to require proof of vaccination and to encourage patrons to mask. If cases continue to rise, the theater may return to requiring patrons to mask during the performances.
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Dramatic historical play Terra Nova opens July 8
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Terra Nova in rehearsal. Photo credit: Vicki Woods
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Terra Nova, written by Ted Tally (screenwriter for The Silence of the Lambs) and directed by Scott Ramp opens Friday, July 9.
In the winter of 1911-1912, five Englishmen and five Norwegians raced each other to the bottom of the Earth. Only the Norwegians returned. This is the story of the Englishmen.
''I couldn't decide if Scott was hero or fool,'' Mr. Tally says, ''but I knew it was too easy to say he was either. I think he has elements of the classic tragic hero - a great man daring greatly. And this was also the last great act of the Empire. English schoolchildren grew up memorizing his words. English soldiers went over the trench tops in World War I thinking of Scott's heroism. It was the end of an era. The South Pole was the last spot on the globe to be filled in. And yet the events of this play took place only one lifetime ago. Scott's own son attended the play in England.’’
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COVID ADVISORY
Audience members must provide proof of up-to-date vaccination, including a booster, if eligible. Masks are recommended and welcomed.
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Some of the cast of Into the Woods, rehearsing in our space.
(Note the missing ceiling tiles ... we are so close to having a finished space.)
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Pentacle hosts production of Into the Woods this weekend
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If you are looking for a local theater experience this week, catch Willamette Youth Theatre Festival's amazing cast in Into the Woods. Admission is free, but you should reserve a seat here. Performances are at our theater June 9 to 11.
They can really sing!
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PO Box 8271, Salem OR 97303
Office Phone: 503-485-4300
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