Salem Theatre Network Starts Benefit Theatre Festival

This March, not only will blossoms be blooming at the Capitol, but so will Salem's theatre scene thanks to a collaborative effort between local and regional theatre companies and businesses. In addition to the Capitol's annual Cherry Blossom festivities, on March 17-19, 2017, the Salem Theatre Network will host the Cherry Blossom Theatre Festival, a city-wide theatre event featuring 20 performances and workshops across 6 venues in Salem's downtown core.

The Salem Theatre Network is an alliance of 14 member theatre companies with the mission of supporting, promoting and uniting theatre communities in and around Salem, Oregon. The Network is a 501c3 non-profit established in 2016, and posts regular updates about upcoming performances and auditions on Facebook and online. The Network previously hosted the Shakespeare at the Market event at the Salem Saturday Market in April, 2016.

Featuring a weekend of theatrical performances, workshops and exhibitions in the local theatre spaces and venues you know and love, paired with some of the Valley's best wines, brews and foods, the Cherry Blossom Theatre Festival aims to imagine a modern-day, downtown theatre district where people can explore, learn, experience, engage, flourish and give back.

Through all-access educational programming and live performance exhibitions, from one-acts to one-woman shows, musicals, staged readings, stand-up, live music, dance and more, the Cherry Blossom Theatre Festival will expose diverse audiences of all ages to theatre and the performing arts.

As a benefit event, the Salem Theatre Network aims to further its impact by raising critical funds to support ongoing outreach, community engagement and a scholarship fund to support local students and theatre companies in the coming year.

Community theatre and education will be key components of the weekend, including
the AACT (One Act Fest by Oregon Community Theatre Alliance, which provides a track to regionals in Boise, Idaho in April 2017. Enlightened Theatrics and Salem's Historic Grand Theatre have agreed to host the competition, and Salem's own Pentacle Theatre will participate in the competition.

Salem's Historic Grand Theatre will host the American Association of Community Theatre's (AACT) One-Act Fest.Salem's own Pentacle Theatre will compete for a spot in regionals.

According to the Salem Theatre Network's President, Jay Gipson-King, the festival is a tremendous step towards sustaining the future of theatre in Salem. "The festival is an opportunity for area performing arts facilities, local businesses, and the community to partner and collaborate in turning historic downtown Salem into a premier performing arts district and destination."

Cherry Blossom Theatre Festival is brought to you by: Salem Theatre Network, Oregon Community Theatre Alliance, American Association of Community Theatre, The Capitol, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Roth's Fresh Markets, Gilgamesh Brewing, Salem Weekly, Ritter's, Artists In Action and more.

Cherry Blossom Theatre Festival is made possible with funding from Marion Cultural Development Corporation.

Salem Theatre Network members are:
Aumsville Community Theatre
Brush Creek Players
Capitol City Theater
Children's Theatre Foundation
Enlightened Theatrics
Historic Elsinore Theatre
Heart & Shine, LLC
Keizer Homegrown Theatre
Pentacle Theatre
Salem Playback Theatre
Theatre Talk on KMUZ
Theatre 33
The Verona Studio
Willamette University Theatre Department

Event Details

Friday, March 17 at 5:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 18 at 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 19 at 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Venues & Schedule available January 19 at SalemTheatreNetwork.org/CherryBlossom.

Admission
All-Access Pass, Adult (VIP): $45.00*

All-Access Pass, Senior (VIP): $40.00*

All-Access Pass, Adult (General): $35.00

All-Access Pass, Senior (General): $30.00

All-Access Pass, Youth/Student: $25.00

Per Event, At Door: $10.00

*VIP Pass includes Wine & Beer Tasting at participating venues on Friday and Saturday, and special discounts for downtown dining and retail. Guests will be seated at venues on first come, first serve basis (pending respective venue seating capacity).

Buy Tickets

Tickets available February 1, 2017

Online: SalemTheatreNetwork.org/CherryBlossom

Phone: 503.485.4300

In-person: Pentacle Theatre Downtown Offices, 145 Liberty St. NE Salem, OR

About Salem Theatre NetworkEstablished in 2012 and attaining official 501c3 status in March 2016, the Salem Theatre Network (STN) consists of an alliance of 14 member companies with the mission of supporting, promoting and uniting theatre communities in and around Salem, Oregon.

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