Welcome to the Salem Playhouse!

What’s New?

In partnership with the Olde Essex Stage Company (OESC) – a nonprofit grounded in the rich tradition of storytelling – we’re working to inspire artistic excellence, engage the community, and bring new life and purpose to our historic building. OESC will be creative collaborators as well as programming and operations partners to the Salem Playhouse. Together we’re excited to bring engaging local theater to the heart of Salem, while also opening our doors to a wide range of performances, events, and community gatherings.

What’s Staying the Same?

The Salem Playhouse building is a cornerstone of Salem’s rich history, and our dedication to its preservation is unwavering. Since becoming a nonprofit in 2016, we’ve been committed to the arts, to community, and to creating a welcoming space for cultural connections – and that commitment remains strong.

Restructured Leadership

We, the board of directors of the Salem Playhouse, recently elected Tara McMullen-King as president for a two-year term. Tara brings years of experience as a nonprofit research and fundraising consultant and deep connections to Salem: “As we relaunch as the Salem Playhouse, I’m honored to step into the role of board president and help guide this beloved space into its next chapter.” She says the partnership with the OESC marks a fresh and exciting beginning: “As we grow, we’re committed to building a sustainable future that allows us to support artists, educators, and community groups while preserving this special place for generations to come.” 

Kevin Welch, OESC artistic director, echoes her sentiments: “The Olde Essex Stage Company is thrilled to join the Salem Playhouse for the next chapter of such a wonderful, and historic building. Old buildings often have the strongest foundations, and, in the coming years, we hope to help build a performance space on this historic foundation that’s worthy of one of the world's most famous and significant cities.”

Former president Mark Stevens has taken on the treasurer’s role, and Agnes Buchanan will continue as secretary.

Looking Ahead

​Salem has long needed a welcoming, mid-sized, multifunctional performing arts and education space that’s thoughtfully run and deeply connected to the local arts scene. We’re proud to be creating just that – a space where creativity, learning, and accessible programming can thrive. Insights from our 2022 adaptive reuse study, supported by community feedback, show that this vision is both realistic and within reach. Our website has been updated, and we’ll have a lot to say about what’s happening in the months to come on social media. Please follow us!

To our longtime supporters – thank you. And to our new friends – welcome!

Sincerely,

Salem Playhouse Board of Directors