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 barn was whitewashed and a load of sawdust spread on the floor. A large tarpaulin (canvas) 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 at the rear of the building. The first production was Blithe Spirit directed by Bob Putnam (1918 – 2007) who was a Professor at Willamette University Drama Department.
Ultimately it was decided to build the present theatre. Dr. & Mrs. E.B. Bossati put up half of the mortgage on the land for the new theatre and were instrumental in gaining the assistance of Stuart Compton and Pioneer Trust Bank in raising the money for the theatre building. While the theatre was being built, summer and winter season performanes were staged out at Salem Heights Community Hall. Pentacle hired architect Charlie Hawkes to design our current facility, his design received a national award, but the theatre was constructed, in main, by amateurs, in the best sense of the word, by people who did what they did for love, not money. In 1963, the first production in the present theatre took place in what is now the lobby. It was cold, 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 just to name a few.
In 1979, the Salem Art Association awarded Pentacle Theatre the “Excellence in the Arts” award, in 1998 Salem Convention and Visitor’s Association named Pentacle Theatre “Nonprofit of the Year” and in 2003 The Oregon Arts Commission awarded Pentacle Theatre the prestigious “Governor’s Award”
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 barn was whitewashed and a load of sawdust spread on the floor. A large tarpaulin (canvas) 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 at the rear of the building. The first production was Blithe Spirit directed by Bob Putnam (1918 – 2007) who was a Professor at Willamette University Drama Department. 
Ultimately it was decided to build the present theatre. Dr. & Mrs. E.B. Bossati put up half of the mortgage on the land for the new theatre and were instrumental in gaining the assistance of Stuart Compton and Pioneer Trust Bank in raising the money for the theatre building. While the theatre was being built, summer and winter season performanes were staged out at Salem Heights Community Hall. Pentacle hired architect Charlie Hawkes to design our current facility, his design received a national award, but the theatre was constructed, in main, by amateurs, in the best sense of the word, by people who did what they did for love, not money. In 1963, the first production in the present theatre took place in what is now the lobby. It was cold, 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 just to name a few.
In 1979, the Salem Art Association awarded Pentacle Theatre the “Excellence in the Arts” award, in 1998 Salem Convention and Visitor’s Association named Pentacle Theatre “Nonprofit of the Year” and in 2003 The Oregon Arts Commission awarded Pentacle Theatre the prestigious “Governor’s Award”