Witch City Community Theatre To Debut Three Original Plays

Do you like theater? Want to see a new play? Want to see three new plays in Salem? Mark your calendars, The Witch City Community Theatre (WCCT) invites audiences to its New Brew Theatre Festival, which will premiere three original plays by local playwrights.

The Witch City Community Theatre developed in 2025.

“We wanted to keep community in mind for our first production by having brand new and locally written productions and helping to bring them to life for the first time,” said Ravenne Rose, the WCCT president.

The three plays are “Walk With Me in Dreams” by Salem residents Patrick Cornacchio, “Closet Door” by Jason Byron, and “Baker’s Island” by Maeve Moriarty. The WCCT board said that connecting the plays through otherworldly concepts was an intriguing idea.

Each play is directed by three directors. At auditions, actors prepared monologues or were asked to share a dream they had. There were several auditionees, making it a tough decision for directors.

“I haven’t had many chances to perform since high school, and I am excited for this opportunity to be on the stage again,” said actor Fiona Quinn Tierney, who plays Natalie Twist in “Baker’s Island.”

“Walk with Me in Dreams” is about chance encounters between two lucid dreamers, who come together from a shared threat. Patrick Cornacchio said his idea for the play began in 2018, and has gone through several rewrites.

Cornacchio’s play is directed by Salem resident, Duncan Kennedy. When casting for the show, Kennedy wanted two individuals who would have chemistry to challenge each other. Throughout rehearsals, Kennedy and his actors have discussed the rules of the dream world and let them explore their own intepretations.

“Because Pat’s script is so organic and playful, we have had fun discovering new takes on it,” Kennedy said.

“Closet Door” takes a horror direction. A half-crazed aunt tries to protect a small boy from a monster in the closet - if there is one. Playwright Jason Byron, who is also a poet and lyricist, drew inspiration from lyrics he wrote for a song with the band Kayo Dot titled ‘Closet Door in the Room Where She Died.’

The one-act play has become a family circle moment. Byron’s step-daughter, Elektra T. Newman returns to the directing chair after a decade. Krista Tzannos-Byron, Byron’s wife, plays Aunt Amelia. Throughout rehearsals, Tzannos-Byron said they have focused on character interactions and line delivery.

“It has been a joy to work with (my stepfather) and I hope there are more plays down the road for us,” Newman said.

The final play, “Baker’s Island,” is about a young woman who travels to live on a secluded island alone to operate a lighthouse. Ghost story lover Maeve Moriarty was inspired to write the play when she saw an ad for a lighthouse keeper in 2020.

Salem resident Augie Vesely directs “Baker’s Island.” Throughout rehearsals, Vesely said he has made creative choices for the play’s various settings since there is little space. They have also worked a lot on character development. Actor Katie Kingwood (Margot Roberts) said that loss is a prominent theme in the play.

Audiences are invited to come and enjoy the shows, support local community theater, and to keep creating. The theater also encourages attendees to join WCCT whether as a director or to write plays.

“There’s so much of a local touch to this particular show, and people will find a lot to take away from it,” said actor Jonathan Cwiok (Sandy Fields).

The New Brew Theatre Festival is May 8 and 9, taking place in the Cellar at the Salem Hotel. Tickets and Schedules are online.