About the Project
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 solo show explores witches as healers, the patriarchal systems that burned them and the modern dangers of organised religion. Living a double life – reading tarot in Salem while residing in a creepy cottage town run by zealots – her personal horror story reinterprets Biblical women’s lore and fiercely reclaims matriarchal spirituality, all while trying not to get burned at the stake.
2025 Salem Witch Trial debuted at Edinburgh Fringe ‘25 & received the Best Solo Show Award from The Spookies: Horror at the Fringe, followed by a sold-out New York premiere at the NY Comedy Festival ‘25. A TV/film script adaptation was recently a top 20 finalist in Writer’s Lab and Get It Made’s Page-to-Proof script competition. Her updated evolution of the project, 2026 Salem Witch Trial will premiere at Hollywood Fringe at the Broadwater Blackbox Theatre June 8-18.
Directed by Ryan Cunningham (TV: Broad City, Inside Amy Schumer; Film: Lone Wolves; Theatre: Sugar Daddy, Relative Stranger, The Power Vested in Me)
Learn More at gretchenwylder.com/salemwitchtrials.html
Production Team
