a note on witch trials...
The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 have become one of the most recognizable stories in American history, a familiar piece of our imagination, often reduced to black hats and the image of a village consumed by hysteria. In Salem itself, more than 200 people were accused, 20 were executed, and at least five others died in prison. But Salem was not an isolated event. Between roughly 1450 and 1750, an estimated 100,000 people across Europe and the British American colonies were prosecuted for witchcraft, and approximately 40,000 to 60,000 were killed. The vast majority of those accused were women. Witch trials and accusations remain a persistent and violent present-day reality in parts of contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa, driven by deep-seated traditional beliefs, economic hardship, and misogynoir. Hundreds of banished women from Ghana currently live in isolated "witch camps" in the northern parts of the country.
“2026 Salem Witch Trial” is one person's story, but beneath this contemporary tale is a much older human pattern - deciding who belongs, deciding who does not, and using fear, morality, and religion to justify xenophobia. This story is not of the thousands who came before, but it exists in conversation with them. It asks what happens when the fearmongering and bigotry of the witch hunt survives, even when the gallows are gone.
“2026 Salem Witch Trial” is one person's story, but beneath this contemporary tale is a much older human pattern - deciding who belongs, deciding who does not, and using fear, morality, and religion to justify xenophobia. This story is not of the thousands who came before, but it exists in conversation with them. It asks what happens when the fearmongering and bigotry of the witch hunt survives, even when the gallows are gone.
About the creatives
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PERFORMER/WRITER - Gretchen Wylder (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist, most known for her work as creator/writer/actor of the indie queer comedy series These Thems, which screened at 40 film festivals, won seven awards, and has reached over a million viewers worldwide across platforms. A pilot version of These Thems was lauded as a Yes And Laughter Lab 2023 Finalist. With a background in live performance, Gretchen acted in off-Broadway, international, and regional productions (Avenue Q, Rent, Urinetown, Lippa's Wild Party, et al) for nearly 20 years before transitioning to independent film creation and fiction writing. Gretchen founded Wylder Womyn Productions, an intersectional feminist production company in 2018, whose films have debuted at Tribeca, Outfest, and Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts. Currently, Gretchen is writing her debut novel, which was workshopped at Aspen Institute in 2022. She is an accomplished tarot reader and enjoys a sabbatical from the “real” world by reading cards for hundreds of tourists every October in Salem, Massachusetts since 2016. While transcending genres in her work from comedy to surrealism to fantasy, the goal for her art is always one of healing from an intersectional feminist perspective.
Follow Gretchen & the show: Instagram @gretchenwylder and @salemwitchshow, TikTok @wylderwytch |
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DIRECTOR - Ryan Cunningham (she/her) is a queer writer/director and Emmy & Peabody award-winning producer. Her debut feature film LONE WOLVES is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi after winning two best film and two best actor awards on the film festival circuit, and played at the Museum of the Moving Image. In theater, Ryan directed Sam Morrison's critically acclaimed and award-nominated off-Broadway solo show SUGAR DADDY (2022 EdFringe @ Gilded Balloon, NYCF, Soho Playhouse NYC, Soho Theatre London), Ricky Sim's COMING OUT TO DEAD PEOPLE (EdFringe 2023 @ Greenside, 2024 @ Assembly, Soho Playhouse NYC, Soho Theatre London), Maria DeCotis' EMOTIONALLY UNREASONABLE (2023 EdFringe @ The Cuckoo's Nest, NYCF), Chanel Ali's RELATIVE STRANGER (fka BREAK UP WITH YOUR DAD, 2024 EdFringe @ Just the Tonic, NYCF), Kelly Bachman's PATRON SAINT (2024 EdFringe @ Assembly), Star Stone's VILLAIN ERA (2024 EdFringe @ Greenside), and Kenice Mobley's DON'T KILL YOURSELF YET (2024 EdFringe @ Leith Arches). In TV, Ryan has produced over 20 half-hour comedy series, including BROAD CITY, SEARCH PARTY, and INSIDE AMY SCHUMER, as well as directed ILANA GLAZER: THE PLANET IS BURNING (Amazon), EXPECTING AMY (Max) and CLUB CUMMING PRESENTS A QUEER COMEDY EXTRAVAGANZA! (Showtime) hosted by Alan Cumming.
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about the play
Based on the true story of a tarot-reading lesbian forced from her home by Christian neighbors likely in a cult, Gretchen Wylder's darkly comedic one-woman show explores witches as healers, the patriarchal systems that burned them, and the modern dangers of organized religion. Living a double life—reading tarot in Salem while surviving in a creepy cottage town run by zealots—her personal horror show becomes a fierce reclamation of spirituality. Gretchen reinterprets Biblical women’s stories and exposes the ongoing persecution of the divine feminine, all while trying not to get burned at the stake.
herstory of the project... where it's been and how to support
Edinburgh fringe festival 2025 - world premiere
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Press for '2025 salem witch trial' AT EDINBURGH FRINGE"Wylder's show is, in the truest sense, radical"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ by The Student News UK "Hilarious and harrowing" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ by The Nerd Party "Incrediby well crafted - nothing short of remarkable" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ by Binge Fringe "Gretchen Wylder is a nightmare" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ by Geek Chocolate |
New york comedy festival 2025
2025 Salem Witch Trial played as part of NY Comedy Festival
to a sold out crowd in December '25 at Club Cumming
to a sold out crowd in December '25 at Club Cumming
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Hollywood Fringe Festival 2026
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know a venue that would love to put up the show?
Wanna book THE WITCH?! Here's a one sheet with more information...
buzz from edinburgh
