History Alive, Inc. Salem, MA

History Alive, Inc. Salem, MA History Alive creates original theatre and events about local history. Become a fan to learn more. History Alive, Inc.

is an independent non-profit organization in Salem, MA. We make theatre about local history, travel to schools, contract with film and television companies, and create historically based special events for other non-profits.

We love spaces where the audience can interact with thought-provoking material. And The Salem Film Fest is one of those ...
03/25/2025

We love spaces where the audience can interact with thought-provoking material. And The Salem Film Fest is one of those very special places. Just one more reason to love Salem throughout the year. photo credit: John Andrews, courtesy

We love seeing women in our cast step into men’s roles, they always bring a unique perspective to their performance!
03/18/2025

We love seeing women in our cast step into men’s roles, they always bring a unique perspective to their performance!

The company members of History Alive (pictured) were proud to present the world premiere of In Open Rebellion at Salem's...
03/14/2025

The company members of History Alive (pictured) were proud to present the world premiere of In Open Rebellion at Salem's Old Town Hall on Sunday, February 23, 2025. The script was commissioned in 2024 by the Essex National Heritage Area to be written by Kristina Wacome Stevick.

The scene is Autumn 1774 when Massachusetts has been confined, punished & neglected by the Royal Government. Tyranny sparks hopes of Revolution! When Patriots meet secretly in Salem, enslaved Africans want to take the talk of Liberty at face value. Attending In Open Rebellion offered attendees their chance to imagine themselves amidst Salem's Patriots, Loyalists and enslaved Africans as the seaside town prepared for a secret Provincial Congress. The production explored what Africans may have been thinking about the impending revolution, included songs from the time period and surrounded the audience with the Revolutionary energy of Salem's liberty-aspiring inhabitants. Thank YOU to the many attendees who joined us for the premiere and played their part in history!

Featuring Adeniyi Samuel as "Caesar", and Colin LaMusta, Caleb Palmer, Carl Schultz, Hannah Spangler, Brigid Warner-Streff, and Jon Warner-Streff as the Patriot and Loyalist citizens of Salem, as the candlelit Old Town Hall transformed into the historic meeting house--just a stone's throw from the site of the October 1774 secret meetings! Directed by Samantha Searles. Produced by History Alive, Inc.

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism via a grant to The City of Salem. To inquire about bringing a performance of In Open Rebellion to your community, please contact us at [email protected]. History Alive is also grateful for the support from and partnership with the following organizations:

Mass Cultural Council
Salem 400+
MA250
Salem Human Rights Coalition
North Shore Juneteenth Association Inc.

History Alive is proud to tell the stories of Bridget Bishop and other women from Salem’s history. Happy International W...
03/08/2025

History Alive is proud to tell the stories of Bridget Bishop and other women from Salem’s history. Happy International Women’s Day from all of us at History Alive to you!

We have been hard at work this week bringing In Open Rebellion to life. Check out these rehearsal photos for a behind th...
02/23/2025

We have been hard at work this week bringing In Open Rebellion to life. Check out these rehearsal photos for a behind the scenes look! Join us on Sunday at the forbidden assembly!

Update on Fashioning for Freedom:With great disappointment, we have made the difficult decision to cancel today's show w...
02/21/2025

Update on Fashioning for Freedom:

With great disappointment, we have made the difficult decision to cancel today's show with plans to reschedule for a later date. Due to challenges with the current temperatures, for the wellbeing of our actors and audience, we need to postpone Fashioning for Freedom.

Our wonderful cast, crew, and creative team have done incredible work. We thank them for their time and effort, and we look forward to bringing you this show when it is possible to do so.

You can find more information about our unaffected offerings and keep updated for the return of Fashioning for Freedom at historyalivesalem.simpletix.com

Here is a preview of some of the looks and people taking the runway this Friday, in Fashioning for Freedom: Layers of Li...
02/19/2025

Here is a preview of some of the looks and people taking the runway this Friday, in Fashioning for Freedom: Layers of Liberty! Join us in celebrating Black creativity and activism from New England’s past three centuries!

Happy birthday, MLK. History Alive is preparing to honor your legacy in a few weeks’ time. Join us as we celebrate Black...
01/17/2025

Happy birthday, MLK. History Alive is preparing to honor your legacy in a few weeks’ time.

Join us as we celebrate Black history and culture with two different events!

First, on Friday February 21st at 7 pm, we have Fashioning for Freedom: Layers of Liberty–a fashion show bringing to life famous Black historical figures in full period-accurate dress! You’ll learn about their lives and legacies and see some fabulous clothes!

Then, on the afternoon of Sunday, February 23rd, we’re putting on a play, In Open Rebellion, portraying the Provincial Congress, a secret meeting of patriots in Salem, just before the start of the Revolutionary War. In Open Rebellion explores enslaved peoples' struggle for liberty, and how it intersected with the patriot’s cause. Join the forbidden assembly!

Both Fashioning for Freedom and In Open Rebellion are free, but we do require that you make a reservation to join at https://historyalivesalem.simpletix.com/ (or scan the QR code on either poster). We’ll be presenting both events at Salem’s Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square. Hope to see you there!

—

“Many of the ugly pages of American history have been obscured and forgotten….America owes a debt of justice which it has only begun to pay. If it loses the will to finish or slackens in its determination, history will recall its crimes and the country that would be great will lack the most indispensable element of greatness–justice.”
—MLK Jr.

This is the cast of Cry Innocent: The People Versus Bridget Bishop's favorite time of year to jump to the 19th c. and s...
12/08/2024

This is the cast of Cry Innocent: The People Versus Bridget Bishop's favorite time of year to jump to the 19th c. and sing their holiday hearts out. The gorgeous house tours produced by Historic Salem, Inc. are the perfect chance to shake off those colonial bans on celebrating Christmas!

Thankful for the assistance of the rain last night in helping the firefighters contain the brushfires on the periphery o...
10/30/2024

Thankful for the assistance of the rain last night in helping the firefighters contain the brushfires on the periphery of Salem. The smell of smoke is gone, the air is moist, and it's a serene day downtown for Cry Innocent: The People Versus Bridget Bishop Painting credit. "Chancellor Pierre Séguier with a parasol hoisted above his head" by Charles Le Brun, 1670. , , , , ,

Due to the smoke condition in Salem, our box office may relocate inside the Old Town Hall on 10/29.
10/29/2024

Due to the smoke condition in Salem, our box office may relocate inside the Old Town Hall on 10/29.

Step into history with Cry Innocent! Witness Bridget Bishop’s story unfold through various roles and perspectives.Locate...
10/23/2024

Step into history with Cry Innocent! Witness Bridget Bishop’s story unfold through various roles and perspectives.

Located at the Old Town Hall.
32 Derby Square, Salem MA

Cry Innocent: The People Versus Bridget Bishop
10/18/2024

Cry Innocent: The People Versus Bridget Bishop

Make sure to plan your visit to Cry innocent accordingly—weekend road closures are common here in Salem during October. ...
10/18/2024

Make sure to plan your visit to Cry innocent accordingly—weekend road closures are common here in Salem during October. With a little preparation, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable journey into the past.

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10/14/2024

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If it's in the 20's it's STUDENTS APLENTY! Seniors and Young Family Day-trippers to Cry Innocent: The People Versus Brid...
10/08/2024

If it's in the 20's it's STUDENTS APLENTY! Seniors and Young Family Day-trippers to Cry Innocent: The People Versus Bridget Bishop: If you're looking for a good weekday to visit Salem, might we suggest coming before October 21st-October 25th if you don't want to relive your crowded high school days? November 5th and 6th are good options too. Photo credit: Jan Steen "The Village School" Public Domain.

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32 Derby Square
Salem, MA
01970

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Last shows tomorrow - November 8. At 11:30 am and 1:30pm. Located at Old Town Hall. Salem, MA. #cryinnocentsalem #oldtownhall #Salem

Experience Cry Innocent, the People vs. Bridget Bishop – a witch trial hearing reenactment. Get tickets until November 8. Tickets online: https://historyalivesalem.simpletix.com Tickets in person: Box office - located at Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square. Salem, MA. #cryinnocentsalem #salem #oldtownhallsalem #bridgetbishop #witchtrials

A 1692 Puritan finds modern Salem. Come find 1692 Salem with the cast of Cry Innocent. Be a part of history—get your tickets before Nov 8! #cryinnocentsalem #oldtownhall #salem

The year is 1692 and you are on the puritan jury. Hear the historic testimony, cross-examine the witnesses, vote on the outcome. tickets online: https://historyalivesalem.simpletix.com Tickets in person: Box office - located at Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square

Happy Labor Day, from History Alive, Inc.
Happy Labor Day, from History Alive, Inc.

Happy Labor Day, from History Alive, Inc. Lynn Walking Shoe TOURS Creative Collective Resource Group Creative Collective MA

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