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Gary Mannion

Director

Gary Mannion first stepped onto the stage at the age of two as a tap dancer and has never looked back. He trained in dance for 15 years, competing nationally and performing in numerous ballet productions. While attending Merrimack College, he was a member of the Merrimack College Dance Team and competed nationally at the National Dance Alliance College Nationals. A 2012 graduate of Merrimack College, Gary earned degrees in Political Science and Theatre before pursuing careers in both public service and the performing arts. Following college, Gary worked on a wide variety of political campaigns throughout Massachusetts, ranging from local city council races to congressional campaigns. In 2017, he was elected to the Greater Lawrence Technical School Committee, where he served three terms. In 2018, he co-founded Mill City Strategies, a political consulting firm, and in 2020, he was elected to the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee. He also had the honor of serving as a delegate to the 2020 and 2024 Democratic National Conventions. Alongside his work in politics, Gary continued his passion for theater, performing professionally as an actor at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, where he helped bring one of America's defining moments to life for audiences from around the world. In 2021, Gary co-founded the Olde Essex Stage Company, where he served as Managing Director. Since its founding, he has helped produce numerous theatrical productions throughout the North Shore and Merrimack Valley with a mission of making high-quality live theater accessible to local communities. He is excited to continue and evolve that mission through the Salem Playhouse, helping to expand opportunities for artists and audiences alike. Some of Gary's favorite productions include Cabaret (Merrimack College Visual and Performing Arts), The Nutcracker (Northeast Dance), Enchanted Glen (New England Civic Ballet), The Producers (OnStagers Dramatic Society), Guys and Dolls (Greater Lowell Music Theatre), and Much Ado About Nothing, which also marked his directorial debut with the Olde Essex Stage Company. Gary lives in Lawrence with his wife, Kathryn, and their two children, Frances and Howie.

Gary Mannion first stepped onto the stage at the age of two as a tap dancer and has never looked back. He trained in dance for 15 years, competing nationally and performing in numerous ballet productions. While attending Merrimack College, he was a member of the Merrimack College Dance Team and competed nationally at the National Dance Alliance College Nationals. A 2012 graduate of Merrimack College, Gary earned degrees in Political Science and Theatre before pursuing careers in both public service and the performing arts.

Following college, Gary worked on a wide variety of political campaigns throughout Massachusetts, ranging from local city council races to congressional campaigns. In 2017, he was elected to the Greater Lawrence Technical School Committee, where he served three terms. In 2018, he co-founded Mill City Strategies, a political consulting firm, and in 2020, he was elected to the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee. He also had the honor of serving as a delegate to the 2020 and 2024 Democratic National Conventions.

Alongside his work in politics, Gary continued his passion for theater, performing professionally as an actor at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, where he helped bring one of America's defining moments to life for audiences from around the world.

In 2021, Gary co-founded the Olde Essex Stage Company, where he served as Managing Director. Since its founding, he has helped produce numerous theatrical productions throughout the North Shore and Merrimack Valley with a mission of making high-quality live theater accessible to local communities. He is excited to continue and evolve that mission through the Salem Playhouse, helping to expand opportunities for artists and audiences alike.

Some of Gary's favorite productions include Cabaret (Merrimack College Visual and Performing Arts), The Nutcracker (Northeast Dance), Enchanted Glen (New England Civic Ballet), The Producers (OnStagers Dramatic Society), Guys and Dolls (Greater Lowell Music Theatre), and Much Ado About Nothing, which also marked his directorial debut with the Olde Essex Stage Company.

Gary lives in Lawrence with his wife, Kathryn, and their two children, Frances and Howie.

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