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Established 2025

Salem's Own Community Theatre

We enable collaborators of every background and experience level to play an active role in producing community-centric theatre.

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WCCT Founding Members, 2025

Our Story

A Legacy of Performing Arts

In the 450 years since its founding, Salem has established a rich tradition of creativity, from writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne to performers like Rose Tapley, yet every Salem story has a humble beginning. Ours is no different.

We began as friends, brought together by our love of the stage and united in our desire to see more opportunities for creative expression in our community. In 2025, we set out to provide that opportunity ourselves, establishing Witch City Community Theatre. Since then, we have grown into a vibrant ensemble of artists, producers, technicians and supporters, giving life to new shows and reviving old favorites.

The Mission of Witch City Community Theatre is to provide a place of artistic expression and creative story-telling for the people of Salem and neighboring communities. We enable collaborators of every background and experience level to play an active role in producing community-centric theatre.

The Team

Ravenne Rose, President of WCCT

Ravenne Rose

President

"My name is Ravenne Rose and I am the President and one of the co-founders of WCCT! I have been doing tech theatre since 8th grade, and I continued doing tech all throughout highschool (with a few acting roles sprinkled in-shout out to the Hobo on the Polar Express), college, and then joined the local Community Theatre scene, with my most recent role was stage managing at the YMCA. Working in children’s theatre has instilled in me a passion for fostering the growth of creative minds and making sure every person knows they have a place in this world, on or off stage. As Dr. Seuss said “Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” (Can anyone guess what my favorite show is??)"

Augie Vesely

Executive Director

Augie Vesely has been in the theatre community for about nineteen years. As co-founder of Witch City Community Theatre Augie will be serving as the Executive Director. Originally from Amesbury MA, he has done everything from Acting, Directing, Stage Managing and pretty much everything in between. Starting Witch City Community Theatre has been a dream of Augie’s for years and he is unbelievably excited to be able to bring this company to life. He would like to thank the amazing Board for everything they have done and cannot wait to create some amazing art with the community.

Augie Vesely, Executive Director of WCCT
Patrick Cornacchio, Secretary of WCCT

Patrick Cornacchio

Secretary

Patrick Cornacchio is a Boston-based playwright and actor currently pursuing a master’s degree in Arts Administration and Cultural Entrepreneurship at Northeastern University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Saint Michael's College in 2018. His acting credits include performances with Marblehead Little Theater and History Alive, Inc. As a playwright, Patrick’s work centers Queer narratives and emphasizes the power of shared human experiences. His work has been produced in Massachusetts and Vermont. He also created and led the Relay Play Project, a virtual initiative that connected theater-makers during the pandemic. As a member of the board for WCCT, Patrick looks forward to bringing new artistic opportunities to his hometown of Salem.

Elektra T. Newman

Artistic Director

Elektra T. Newman is often referred to as ‘a modern renaissance woman’ & master of none. She has operated regionally as a freelance artist for nearly thirty theatre companies over the past several years; which include The Huntington Theatre Co., Boston Conservatory, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre, Gloucester Stage, Boston Center for the Arts & The Gold Dust Orphans, all in a multiplicity of technical fields such as scenic carpentry/painting, lighting, props, sound, stage/house management, & directing/playwriting. She is a graduate of Suffolk University in Theatre & Arts Administration, & has been working as a Props Artisan at American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) for the past two years. As Artistic Director of WCCT she hopes to bring meaningful works to a diverse audience in her hometown of Salem, MA. She has many aspirations for the future, & someday hopes to fulfill an unforeseen destiny through the ironic coincidences that make up her life.

Elektra T. Newman, Artistic Director of WCCT
Hayley Knight, Technical Director of WCCT

Hayley Knight

Technical Director

Hayley Knight spent six years involved with technical theatre in middle/high school in Ipswich, MA. She continued to work for the school for several years after graduating running lighting/sound for public meetings and performances. She has varied experience including lighting, sound, filming, set building, and stage management. Hayley graduated from Salem State University with a bachelor's in Computer Science and currently works in IT. She is looking forward to helping bring WCCT to life and once again being a part of the theatre community.

Brendan Barry

Technical Director

"Hi, I’m Brendan, but you can call me Barry. I started doing Technical Theatre in middle school in Ipswich working as a Tech Helper for the high school theatre. In highschool I was a Booth Tech doing sound for a year and then transitioned to working backstage and set building. I helped design multiple sets and won three awards for tech theater: A National Book Award, A Senior Class award, a Highschool Drama Award. In highschool we were invited to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where we brought a full stage production and performed with highschools from around the world. After highschool I was involved in college tech theatre building sets and worked on 2 black box shows at Salem State. Post college I have enjoyed theatre as a spectator and am looking forward to working on new shows with local talent and playwrights."

Brendan Barry, Technical Director of WCCT
Emily Monroe, Treasurer of WCCT

Emily Monroe

Treasurer

Emily Monroe (she/her) is so excited to be part of WCCT! A recent transplant to Salem, MA, she’s thrilled to start building connections in the community and sharing her love of theatre-making and arts accessibility. Emily holds a degree in Arts Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and has produced new work at venues such as The Tank Theatre and the Circle Theatre Festival in New York. She also has a background in—and a huge soft spot for—stage management, and loves being part of the behind-the-scenes magic that makes live theatre possible. As a lifelong supporter and active community theatre participant, Emily believes community theatre is one of the most meaningful ways to connect, collaborate, and engage with fellow humans.

Jonathan Cwiok

Community Outreach Manager

Salem State alumni Jonathan Cwiok is a software engineer and web developer who specializes in helping artists and performers build an eye-catching online presence. He has previously collaborated with artists such as New England-based music duo Honestly, international R&B singer Muneer, and Belgian painter Philippe van Goethem. He also has an extensive theater background, having performed in stage productions of 12 Angry Jurors, Everybody, The Billy-Club Puppets and more since 2010. He’s eager to see WCCT become a place where creatives can spread their wings and discover their talents. When not behind a computer, he can usually be found screaming metal karaoke around Salem.

Jonathan Cwiok, Community Outreach Manager of WCCT
Ravenne Rose, President of WCCT

Ravenne Rose

President

"My name is Ravenne Rose and I am the President and one of the co-founders of WCCT! I have been doing tech theatre since 8th grade, and I continued doing tech all throughout highschool (with a few acting roles sprinkled in-shout out to the Hobo on the Polar Express), college, and then joined the local Community Theatre scene, with my most recent role was stage managing at the YMCA. Working in children’s theatre has instilled in me a passion for fostering the growth of creative minds and making sure every person knows they have a place in this world, on or off stage. As Dr. Seuss said “Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” (Can anyone guess what my favorite show is??)"

Augie Vesely, Executive Director of WCCT

Augie Vesely

Executive Director

Augie Vesely has been in the theatre community for about nineteen years. As co-founder of Witch City Community Theatre Augie will be serving as the Executive Director. Originally from Amesbury MA, he has done everything from Acting, Directing, Stage Managing and pretty much everything in between. Starting Witch City Community Theatre has been a dream of Augie’s for years and he is unbelievably excited to be able to bring this company to life. He would like to thank the amazing Board for everything they have done and cannot wait to create some amazing art with the community.

Patrick Cornacchio, Secretary of WCCT

Patrick Cornacchio

Secretary

Patrick Cornacchio is a Boston-based playwright and actor currently pursuing a master’s degree in Arts Administration and Cultural Entrepreneurship at Northeastern University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Saint Michael's College in 2018. His acting credits include performances with Marblehead Little Theater and History Alive, Inc. As a playwright, Patrick’s work centers Queer narratives and emphasizes the power of shared human experiences. His work has been produced in Massachusetts and Vermont. He also created and led the Relay Play Project, a virtual initiative that connected theater-makers during the pandemic. As a member of the board for WCCT, Patrick looks forward to bringing new artistic opportunities to his hometown of Salem.

Elektra T. Newman, Artistic Director of WCCT

Elektra T. Newman

Artistic Director

Elektra T. Newman is often referred to as ‘a modern renaissance woman’ & master of none. She has operated regionally as a freelance artist for nearly thirty theatre companies over the past several years; which include The Huntington Theatre Co., Boston Conservatory, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre, Gloucester Stage, Boston Center for the Arts & The Gold Dust Orphans, all in a multiplicity of technical fields such as scenic carpentry/painting, lighting, props, sound, stage/house management, & directing/playwriting. She is a graduate of Suffolk University in Theatre & Arts Administration, & has been working as a Props Artisan at American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) for the past two years. As Artistic Director of WCCT she hopes to bring meaningful works to a diverse audience in her hometown of Salem, MA. She has many aspirations for the future, & someday hopes to fulfill an unforeseen destiny through the ironic coincidences that make up her life.

Hayley Knight, Technical Director of WCCT

Hayley Knight

Technical Director

Hayley Knight spent six years involved with technical theatre in middle/high school in Ipswich, MA. She continued to work for the school for several years after graduating running lighting/sound for public meetings and performances. She has varied experience including lighting, sound, filming, set building, and stage management. Hayley graduated from Salem State University with a bachelor's in Computer Science and currently works in IT. She is looking forward to helping bring WCCT to life and once again being a part of the theatre community.

Brendan Barry, Technical Director of WCCT

Brendan Barry

Technical Director

"Hi, I’m Brendan, but you can call me Barry. I started doing Technical Theatre in middle school in Ipswich working as a Tech Helper for the high school theatre. In highschool I was a Booth Tech doing sound for a year and then transitioned to working backstage and set building. I helped design multiple sets and won three awards for tech theater: A National Book Award, A Senior Class award, a Highschool Drama Award. In highschool we were invited to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where we brought a full stage production and performed with highschools from around the world. After highschool I was involved in college tech theatre building sets and worked on 2 black box shows at Salem State. Post college I have enjoyed theatre as a spectator and am looking forward to working on new shows with local talent and playwrights."

Emily Monroe, Treasurer of WCCT

Emily Monroe

Treasurer

Emily Monroe (she/her) is so excited to be part of WCCT! A recent transplant to Salem, MA, she’s thrilled to start building connections in the community and sharing her love of theatre-making and arts accessibility. Emily holds a degree in Arts Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and has produced new work at venues such as The Tank Theatre and the Circle Theatre Festival in New York. She also has a background in—and a huge soft spot for—stage management, and loves being part of the behind-the-scenes magic that makes live theatre possible. As a lifelong supporter and active community theatre participant, Emily believes community theatre is one of the most meaningful ways to connect, collaborate, and engage with fellow humans.

Jonathan Cwiok, Community Outreach Manager of WCCT

Jonathan Cwiok

Community Outreach Manager

Salem State alumni Jonathan Cwiok is a software engineer and web developer who specializes in helping artists and performers build an eye-catching online presence. He has previously collaborated with artists such as New England-based music duo Honestly, international R&B singer Muneer, and Belgian painter Philippe van Goethem. He also has an extensive theater background, having performed in stage productions of 12 Angry Jurors, Everybody, The Billy-Club Puppets and more since 2010. He’s eager to see WCCT become a place where creatives can spread their wings and discover their talents. When not behind a computer, he can usually be found screaming metal karaoke around Salem.