Pentacle Theatre

Pentacle Theatre began in 1954 in a barn on highway 22 across from Oak Knoll Golf Course. Approximately 15 people were the nucleus of that first theatre and with a contribution of $2 from each of them the interior of the barnbarn.jpg (7698 bytes) was whitewashed and a load of sawdust spread on the floor. A large tarpaulin was spread in the center to act as a stage. A local mortuary loaned folding chairs and dressing room facilities were established in a chicken coop attached to the rear of the building. The first production was Blithe Spirit directed by Bob Putnam who was a Professor at the Willamette University Drama Department.

Ultimately it was decided to build the present theatre. Dr. & Mrs. E.B. Bossatti put up half of the mortgage on the land for the new theatre and were instrumental in gaining the assistance of Stuart Compton and the Pioneer Trust Bank in raising the money for the theatre building.buildingjpg.jpg (8646 bytes) While the theatre was being built, summer and winter seasons were run out of the Salem Heights Community Hall. Pentacle hired the best architect it could find (his design won a national award) but the theatre was built, in the main, by amateurs, in the best sense of the word, by people who did what they did for love, not money. Fortunately there were some carpenters and electricians among the membership but amateurs inspired to do what they had never done before did most of the work. In 1963, the first production in the present theatre took place in what is now the lobby. It was cold and knocked together but two plays were produced there and the next year the productions were moved upstairs. Pentacle now produces an eight-play season each year and involves hundreds of people from the community who do everything: directing, performing, building sets, costuming, ushering and selling refreshments.