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Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication Department

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Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication Department

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This page is a resource for the Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication Department community in Salem, MA.

The Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication department is one of the finest theatre training programs in the country. We are a hands-on program, providing each student with personal interaction with our professionally trained faculty and staff. Our graduates place exceptionally well in graduate schools, conservatories, regional theaters, and in the professional world. We produce four Mainstage productions and two staged readings a year, utilizing a four-year rotating cycle of theatre genres for our play selections, ensuring that our students receive a comprehensive exposure to both classic and contemporary theatre styles. We are active participants in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival; our students have competed at the national level in Washington D.C. for the Irene Ryan acting scholarship, as well as stage management, directing, lighting design, allied crafts, and dramaturgy. Salem State University is the only four-year public university in New England accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). Our program meets the national standards that are required by NAST in our teaching curriculum and theatre productions.

10/17/2026

Did you miss our opening night of 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘕𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘮? Don't worry! Enjoy these behind-the-scenes sneak peeks before you see it this weekend.

𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘕𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘮
by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Julie Kiernan

Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts
356 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA

Upcoming Performances:
• Saturday, October 17 at 7:30pm
• Sunday, October 18 at 2:00pm*
• Friday, October 23 at 7:30pm**
• Saturday, October 24 at 7:30pm
• Sunday, October 25 at 2:00pm

*The Sunday, October 18 performance will be followed by a post-show conversation with the audience.

**Friday, October 23 is Salem Night! Free admission for Salem residents with ID.

$15 general/$10 seniors/free for all students with ID and under 18.
Admission is FREE for current Salem State students, faculty and staff with university ID.
The Box Office will open one hour before each performance.

Enjoy the show!

Photo Credit: Aidan Luca Szabo

10/16/2026

Meet the Creative & Management Teams of 𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙮 𝙉𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙢 by Sarah Ruhl!

James Bridges, Dramaturg

Anne Brower, Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor

Lola Cassino, Assistant Director

Starr Cousins, Scenic Paint Charge

Liv Dumaine, Intimacy Coordinator

Ginger Eckert, Voice & Text Director

Layna Emery, Assistant Stage Manager

Ali Filipovich, Costume Designer

Karen Gahagan, Director, Center for Creative and Performing Arts

Stefani Galeano, Assistant Scenic Designer & Master Carpenter

Ryan Goodwin, Sculpture Artist

Stu Grieve, Technical Director

Calista Gumuchian, Stage Manager

Sydney Hamre, Assistant House Manager

Michael M. Harvey, Lighting & Scenic Designer

Nick Houle, Assistant Props Manager

Emrys Jordan, Assistant Lighting Designer

Angel Katzen, Assistant to the Lighting Designer

Julie Kiernan, Director & Department Chairperson

Shea Lowney, Assistant Sound Designer

Adelaide Majeski, Props Manager & House Manager

Charlie Marrero, Assistant Stage Manager

Topher Morris, Sound Designer

Ashley Preston O’Toole, Theatre Coordinator

Tim O’Toole, Assistant Technical Director & Master Electrician

Liv Read, Assistant Stage Manager

Sarah Ruhl, Playwright

Amanda Seidler, Assistant House Manager

Anna Splitz, Costume Shop Supervisor

PERFORMANCES:
Friday, October 16 at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 17 at 7:30pm
Sunday, October 18 at 2:00pm
Friday, October 23 at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 24 at 7:30pm
Sunday, October 25 at 2:00pm

Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts
356 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01970

The link to tickets and additional information is in our bio.

Enjoy the show!🌹✨

10/16/2026

Meet the cast of our production of 𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙮 𝙉𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙢 by Sarah Ruhl!

Becky
Lillie-Marie LeClair

Bob
James Bridges

Gail
Lorelai Krisko

Witch
Av Acevedo

Stan
Samson Willcox

Shelby
Ava Irene Hawco

The Judge/Jailer/Magistrate
Chris Raney

U/S Becky
Av Acevedo

U/S Bob
Jayden Theodat

U/S Gail
Kylie Lodge

U/S Witch & Shelby
Annabelle Chapman

Swing: Stan, Judge, Jailer, Magistrate
Jayden Theodat

PERFORMANCES:
Friday, October 16 at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 17 at 7:30pm
Sunday, October 18 at 2:00pm
Friday, October 23 at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 24 at 7:30pm
Sunday, October 25 at 2:00pm

Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts
356 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01970

The link to tickets and additional information is in our bio.

Break a leg!🌹✨

10/16/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁, 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘄, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙮 𝙉𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙢 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗥𝘂𝗵𝗹, 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻!

"Sarah Ruhl’s dark contemporary comedy follows Becky Nurse, a modern-day descendant of accused witch Rebecca Nurse in Salem. Becky’s been fired from her job at the local museum, troubled by her granddaughter’s boyfriend, is pining for a married man, and taking pain pills to cope after her daughter’s overdose. It seems hers is anything but a charmed life as Becky just tries to get by.

She looks to a local witch to help right her wrongs, leading to shocking, funny, and even disturbing results. Ruhl’s story reveals the real human beings inside the noise of history and how far one woman will go to hold onto what she holds dear."

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦:
• Friday, October 16 at 7:30pm
• Saturday, October 17 at 7:30pm
• Sunday, October 18 at 2:00pm*
• Friday, October 23 at 7:30pm**
• Saturday, October 24 at 7:30pm
• Sunday, October 25 at 2:00pm

*The Sunday, October 18 performance will be followed by a post-show conversation with the audience.

**Friday, October 23 is Salem Night! Free admission for Salem residents with ID.

𝗥𝗨𝗡 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘:
The production runs approximately two and a half hours, including one 15-minute intermission.

𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗘:
Sophia Gordon Center- Mainstage Theatre
356 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01970

𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗦:
$15 general
$10 seniors
Free for all students with ID and under 18.
Admission is FREE for current Salem State students, faculty and staff with university ID.
The Box Office will open one hour before each performance.
Ticket link in bio!

𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧:

Becky
Lillie-Marie LeClair

Bob
James Bridges

Gail
Lorelai Krisko

Witch & U/S Becky
Av Acevedo

Stan
Samson Willcox

Shelby
Ava Irene Hawco

The Judge/Jailer/Magistrate
Chris Raney

U/S Bob & Swing: Stan, Judge, Jailer, Magistrate
Jayden Theodat

U/S Gail
Kylie Lodge

U/S Witch & Shelby
Annabelle Chapman

𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠:

Director
Julie Kiernan

Voice and Text Director
Ginger Eckert

Costume Designer
Ali Filipovich

Lighting Designer
Michael M. Harvey

Scenic Designer
Michael M. Harvey

Sound Designer
Topher Morris

Props Manager
Adelaide Majeski

Stage Manager
Calista Gumuchian

This production is co-sponsored by the Sociology Department.

Poster design by Ali Filipovich
Photo credit: Julie Kiernan

Enjoy the show!

10/15/2026

The Advising Period for Spring 2027 class registration begins today, (Thursday, October 15) and runs through Wednesday, November 4. Please note: Students will not be able to register for Spring 2027 classes until they meet with their Faculty Advisor and their Advisor releases the Advising Hold on their account.

Helpful advising resources are available in the Sophia Gordon Center lobby and on the Virtual Callboards Advising & Registration page (link in bio!)

𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚?
1. If you are a first-year Theatre Arts student, make sure you meet with your Peer Mentor before you meet with your faculty advisor during the Advising Period.

2. Make sure you have declared the correct major/ minor/ concentration in Navigator.

3. Sign up for a meeting time with your Faculty Advisor.

4. Be prepared for your Advising appointment:

a. Bring a current flow sheet. Fill out your credits attempted and grades earned.

b. Check if you have a hold on your account. Do your best to resolve any holds before registration opens, so you can register on time.

c. Know your registration time.

d. Review your Degree Tracker on Navigator.

e. Bring a list of courses you would like to take next semester, including the four-digit reference number, the course name and catalog number, and the section of the course

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗗𝗢 𝗜 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗠𝗬 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗦?
All students can see their Advisor in Navigator: On the Homepage, click on "Academic Progress". Then, on the left-hand side of the page, click on "Advisors".)

The full list of Fall 2026 Theatre and Speech Communication Department Faculty Advisors is also posted on the Callboards outside Administration Building Room #2, and linked on the Advising & Registration Virtual Callboards page.

𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥/𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦
Priority registration begins at 7:00am
Non-priority registration begins at 4:30pm
• Seniors: Wednesday, November 4
• Juniors: Thursday, November 5
• Sophomores: Friday, November 6
• Freshmen: Monday, November 9

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗗𝗢 𝗜 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥? 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗔𝗠 𝗜?
Your class status for registration depends on how many credits how have taken and are in the process of completing in your current semester:

• You can register as a SENIOR if you have completed 90 or more credits by the end of the current semester.

• You can register as a JUNIOR if you have completed 54-90 credits by the end of the current semester.

• You can register as a SOPHOMORE if you have completed 24-54 credits by the end of the current semester.

• You can register as a FRESHMAN if you have completed less than 24 credits by the end of the current semester.

Also: Your Task List in Navigator should also tell you if you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior.

𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦
The Spring 2027 Master Schedule of classes is posted on the Advising & Registration Virtual Callboards page and available for perusal in the Sophia Gordon Center lobby.

𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦
If a Theatre major wants to take more than 18.5 credits next semester, they will need to request a Credit Override from the Theatre Department Chairperson, Prof. Julie Kiernan.

How to request an override:

Email [email protected] with the following information:
1. Your full name
2. Your Salem State ID number
3. The semester for which you need the credit override
4. The total number of credits you want to take
5. The reason you need to take more than 18.5 credits

𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
Effective Fall 2026, students wishing to withdraw from a course must visit a professional advisor for assistance. Significant changes in federal financial aid regulations mean that course withdrawals may impact a student’s financial aid status in addition to the existing impacts on their academic progress.

𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦:
1. Don’t forget to register for your Theatre Participation class! All Theatre majors should register for either THE92, THE94 or THE96, or THE 98 this Spring (you should take them in sequential order, so if you took THE91 this semester, please take THE92 in the spring, etc.) Theatre Participation is required for all Theatre majors, for every semester that they are an active Theatre major.

2. If you need permission to add a Theatre or Oral Communication class to your schedule, please email Chairperson Julie Kiernan ([email protected]) and copy Ashley O’Toole ([email protected]). Your email should include the following information, please:
a. Your full name
b. Your student ID number
c. The specific section* of the class you wish to take. (For example, THE216-02 (1507) on WF at 10:50am.)

Providing all of this information will expedite your email requests. If you don’t include this information in your original email, we won’t be able to fulfill allowable permission requests without further communication.

3. If you need permission to add a non-Theatre or Speech Communication class to your schedule, please email the pertinent information to the Chairperson of the department that runs that class. (For instance, if you need permission to enroll in ENL282 World Drama, you would need to contact the Chair of the English Department.)

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴!

10/15/2026

DAILY EVENTS 10/15/26:

• The Advising Period for Spring 2027 classes begins today! Advising Resources are available in the Sophia Gordon Center lobby and on the Virtual Callboards Advising & Registration page (link in bio!)

• 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘕𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 Front of House Training Meeting: 5:30pm-7:00pm, McGurren Conference Room (Sophia Gordon Center). Mandatory for all 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘕𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘮 Box Office Managers and ushers.

10/14/2026

𝗕𝗙𝗔 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘂𝗽!

Pickup Times & Locations:

• Wednesday, October 14: 1:00pm-4:30pm
Sophia Gordon Center Box Office (In the lobby)

• Thursday, October 15: 9:00am-11:00am & 12:00pm-4:30pm
Sophia Gordon Center Box Office (In the lobby)

• Friday, October 16: 9:00am-11:00am & 1:30am-4:30pm
ADMIN 101B (through the Human Resources/Student Employment Office)

These are confidential academic documents- each student must pick up their own BFA Jury Result Letter in person from Ashley O'Toole. Ideally, students should pick up their BFA Jury Result letters prior to meeting with their Faculty Advisor to discuss their Spring 2027 schedule; the Advising Period is October 15- November 4.

See you soon!

10/14/2026

DAILY EVENTS 10/14/26:

• Student Success Fair: 11:30am-2:00pm, Upper North Dining Commons. Come visit all the offices who provide academic support and engagement to help YOU be as successful as possible this semester! Learn about their resources, find out how to set up appointments, and WIN SOME PRIZES!

• Production Meeting: 12:15pm-1:30pm, McGurren Conference Room. For all faculty, staff, and students who have major design/production positions on 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘕𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘮, 𝘝𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘍𝘦𝘴𝘵, and 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦.

10/13/2026

Cast Lists for our 8th Annual 𝘝𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴 10-𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘍𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 are now posted on the Callboards outside the Theatre Office (ADMIN 2) and on the Virtual Callboards site (link in bio!)

Actors- please check your SSU email for information on how to accept your role.

Thank you to everyone who auditioned!

Address

356 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA
01970

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+19785424312

Website

https://www.salemstate.edu/academics/college-arts-and-sciences/theatre-and-speech-communication, https://sites.google.co

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Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication Department

10/17/2026

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