Salem State University Theatre & Speech Department

Salem State University Theatre & Speech Department This page is a resource for the Salem State University Theatre 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 fo

ur 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.

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026Adventures & Achievements ✨"I was a creative director on a community mural! I taught a g...
08/31/2026

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026
Adventures & Achievements ✨

"I was a creative director on a community mural! I taught a group of high schoolers about art fundamentals and public art, and eventually we made a mural together at my local high school. I'm so proud of how it turned out and I'd love to make more public artwork in the future!"
-Emmalyn Woods, Theatre minor '27

(Salem State Theatre students, alumni, faculty, and staff: Did you take an amazing trip, learn a fabulous new skill, or have a fantastic theatre experience this summer? We'd love to hear about it! We'll feature your "What I Did This Summer" stories on social media and in our Welcome Slideshow at our upcoming Theatre Department Orientation Meeting on September 3. Just complete the form: https://forms.gle/Qr3e6xkhashnrzhk6)

08/31/2026

Stop by the First Year Experience Office for treats and to learn more about Salem State and our office today! Located in the upper north dining common!

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026Adventures & Achievements ✨"I learned how to do Foley (sound effects), performed it live...
08/31/2026

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026
Adventures & Achievements ✨

"I learned how to do Foley (sound effects), performed it live with the Post-Meridian Radio Players, and held auditions for a radio play I'll be directing with PMRP this fall!"
-Kristina Spinney, BFA Performance '11

(Salem State Theatre students, alumni, faculty, and staff: Did you take an amazing trip, learn a fabulous new skill, or have a fantastic theatre experience this summer? We'd love to hear about it! We'll feature your "What I Did This Summer" stories on social media and in our Welcome Slideshow at our upcoming Theatre Department Orientation Meeting on September 3. Just complete the form: https://forms.gle/Qr3e6xkhashnrzhk6)

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026Adventures & Achievements ✨"I’ve gone to Old Orchard Beach, Maine a few times this summe...
08/30/2026

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026
Adventures & Achievements ✨

"I’ve gone to Old Orchard Beach, Maine a few times this summer. I was also a volunteer for Wakefield Academy’s summer school second graders!"
-Bridget Breda, Theatre Minor '27

(Salem State Theatre students, alumni, faculty, and staff: Did you take an amazing trip, learn a fabulous new skill, or have a fantastic theatre experience this summer? We'd love to hear about it! We'll feature your "What I Did This Summer" stories on social media and in our Welcome Slideshow at our upcoming Theatre Department Orientation Meeting on September 3. Just complete the form: https://forms.gle/Qr3e6xkhashnrzhk6)

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026Adventures & Achievements ✨"This summer I choreographed 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙗𝙤𝙗 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 and 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙙...
08/30/2026

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026
Adventures & Achievements ✨

"This summer I choreographed 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙗𝙤𝙗 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 and 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙖 at Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick, ME. I also ran their youth theatre camp, 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙋𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝!"
-Emilyrose Johnson (formerly Reardon), BA Performance '13

(Salem State Theatre students, alumni, faculty, and staff: Did you take an amazing trip, learn a fabulous new skill, or have a fantastic theatre experience this summer? We'd love to hear about it! We'll feature your "What I Did This Summer" stories on social media and in our Welcome Slideshow at our upcoming Theatre Department Orientation Meeting on September 3. Just complete the form: https://forms.gle/Qr3e6xkhashnrzhk6)

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026Adventures & Achievements ✨"I have been production assisting and running for Live Nation...
08/29/2026

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026
Adventures & Achievements ✨

"I have been production assisting and running for Live Nation at Gillette Stadium!"
-Destany Foley, BFA Technical Theatre '23

(Salem State Theatre students, alumni, faculty, and staff: Did you take an amazing trip, learn a fabulous new skill, or have a fantastic theatre experience this summer? We'd love to hear about it! We'll feature your "What I Did This Summer" stories on social media and in our Welcome Slideshow at our upcoming Theatre Department Orientation Meeting on September 3. Just complete the form: https://forms.gle/Qr3e6xkhashnrzhk6)

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026Adventures & Achievements ✨"I played Wayne Hopkins in Stellar Studios’ production of 𝙋𝙪𝙛...
08/29/2026

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026
Adventures & Achievements ✨

"I played Wayne Hopkins in Stellar Studios’ production of 𝙋𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙨 back in July! We put the show up in five weeks!"
-Jordan Mitchell, BFA Directing '23

(Salem State Theatre students, alumni, faculty, and staff: Did you take an amazing trip, learn a fabulous new skill, or have a fantastic theatre experience this summer? We'd love to hear about it! We'll feature your "What I Did This Summer" stories on social media and in our Welcome Slideshow at our upcoming Theatre Department Orientation Meeting on September 3. Just complete the form: https://forms.gle/Qr3e6xkhashnrzhk6)

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026Adventures & Achievements ✨"I was blessed with the opportunity to be in the ensemble of ...
08/28/2026

Salem State Theatre, Summer 2026
Adventures & Achievements ✨

"I was blessed with the opportunity to be in the ensemble of Cotuit Center for the Art’s production of 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙨𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙚. I got to work with a load of lovely people and make connections within my local community; they have taught me so many things about humility and how true teamwork can make a production excel. It was my first time working with this company and they treated me like they’ve known me since birth. It is wonderful to get to work on amazing shows with such amazing people!"
-Logan Broadway, BFA Performance '28

(Salem State Theatre students, alumni, faculty, and staff: Did you take an amazing trip, learn a fabulous new skill, or have a fantastic theatre experience this summer? We'd love to hear about it! We'll feature your "What I Did This Summer" stories on social media and in our Welcome Slideshow at our upcoming Theatre Department Orientation Meeting on September 3. Just complete the form: https://forms.gle/Qr3e6xkhashnrzhk6)

Cinema Salem is generously offering complimentary tickets to upcoming Cambridge American Stage Tour performances of 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜...
08/28/2026

Cinema Salem is generously offering complimentary tickets to upcoming Cambridge American Stage Tour performances of 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧 to Salem State University students, faculty and staff! If you are interested in attending a performance, please fill out the comp ticket form (https://forms.gle/AjwURPUmbLVSWQyG7) to secure your free ticket. Thank you, Cinema Salem!

𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧
By William Shakespeare
Cambridge American Stage Tour
(Live performances)

Friday, September 25 at 7:00pm
Saturday, September 26 at 1:00pm
Cinema Salem
1 East India Square, Salem, MA 01970

The aging King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, allotting each a portion in proportion to the eloquence of her declaration of love. The hypocritical Goneril and Regan make grand pronouncements and are rewarded; Cordelia, the youngest daughter, who truly loves Lear, refuses to make an insincere speech to prove her love and is disinherited. The two older sisters mock Lear and renege on their promise to support him. Cast out, the king slips into madness and wanders about accompanied by his faithful Fool. Cordelia, having married the king of France, is obliged to invade her native country with a French army in order to rescue her neglected father.

There will be a 15 minute intermission.

More information: https://www.cinemasalem.com/movie/king-lear

Poster design by Maddie Lock

Happy Opening Night to 𝙈𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝘼𝙙𝙤 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, a fabulous production where and have paired up to present "two days of ...
08/28/2026

Happy Opening Night to 𝙈𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝘼𝙙𝙤 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, a fabulous production where and have paired up to present "two days of peace, love, and Shakespeare" at the Salem Willows! This is a powerhouse production of Salem State Theatre alumni: directed by Hannah Cunniff and Faith Bockover, 𝙈𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝘼𝙙𝙤 also features performances by Ryan Richard Doyle, Caroline Forbes, Zachary Graves, Marck-Hens Jules, Shannon Keelan, Djessy Kungu, Cameron Nye, and Ian Tomarakos!

𝙈𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝘼𝙙𝙤 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Hannah Cunniff and Faith Bockover
Choreographed by Faith Bockover
Stage Managed by Colin Maloney

August 28 & 29
6:00pm
Salem Willows Band Shell (outdoor performance)
167 Fort Avenue Salem, MA

Reserve your spot using this link: https://partiful.com/e/HlCu2VyrHCm7OGFHUhVc?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAacifOdeP-ovMdqzwDnADP04vOyW9TEPGZfXOwtiw5PMPkrJIAuZRYSfe2t9CQ_aem_OG2rXyiV2RWBTEcNOno3Pg

Admission is Pay-What-You-Will, with a $10 suggested donation. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs. We hope to see you there!

Break legs, everyone! 🌹

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

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