Human Race Theatre Company Cast Announcement for SALEM: Blood to Drink

Maggie Lou Rader’s wickedly funny dark comedy runs October 14–25, 2026

DAYTON, OH — Everyone loves a witch hunt. Until they’re the witch.

The Human Race Theatre Company kicks off its 41st season with the world premiere of Salem: Blood to Drink by local Ohio playwright Maggie Lou Rader, October 14–25 at the Loft Theatre. Set during one of history’s most infamous moments, this sharp, funny, and wildly unexpected new play asks audiences to forget what they think they know about Salem—and get ready for a very different version of 1692.

The Salem witch trials are in full swing, and four accused women suddenly find themselves sharing a jail cell. What starts as a fight for survival becomes an unlikely alliance as fear spreads, accusations fly, and the rules these women have been expected to follow begin to fall away.

Darkly hilarious and surprisingly timely, Salem: Blood to Drink turns a familiar chapter of American history on its head with humor, humanity, and a story that proves there is always more than one side to what we think we know.

“We all carry some version of the Salem witches’ story in our heads, but Maggie Lou Rader lets us meet them as funny, flawed, complicated human beings,” notes Artistic Director Emily N. Wells. “That balance of humor, heart, and unexpected perspective is exactly why this play felt like the perfect way to launch our Perception vs. Reality season. I think audiences will come in expecting one thing and leave having experienced something far richer, which is exactly what great theatre should do.”

Salem: Blood to Drink launches The Human Race Theatre Company’s Season 41, Perception vs. Reality, a five-show season filled with stories that challenge first impressions and deliver plenty of surprises along the way.

Five stories. Endless surprises.
The production marks the world premiere of Salem: Blood to Drink, written by Maggie Lou Rader. She writes, “As a Cincinnati playwright, I don’t often get the chance to see my work produced locally. I’m grateful to the team at The Human Race for saying yes.” Join the Community Conversation with Maggie Lou Rader and Artistic Director Emily N. Wells on October 5, 2026 at 6pm.

Creative team: Heather Wilson-Bowlby leads the production with Scenic Designer Gabby Trice, LIGHTING DESIGNER Kelsey Gallagher, COSTUME DESIGNER  Maria Fernanda Ortiz, SOUND DESIGNER  Kaitlin Barnett Proctor, PROPS DESIGNER Sarah Gomes, STAGE MANAGER Amanda Harris, ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Logan Lorraine.

Cast: Returning to The Loft stage are local actors Caitlin McWethey (Elizabeth Proctor & Voices), Bryana Bentley (Sarah Good & Voices), Burgess Byrd (Bridget Bishop & Voices), and Annie Fitzpatrick (Ann Foster & Voices) with Portland actor Gavin Hoffman (George Burroughs & Voices) making his Human Race debut. 

Tickets and Performances
Salem: Blood to Drink plays October 14–25, 2026, at The Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton. Tickets range from $10–$56 and are available through the Dayton Live box office at (937) 228-3630 or online through The Human Race Theatre Company www.humanracetheatre.org. The production has a runtime of approximately 110 minutes, including intermission, and is rated PG-13. 

For press ticket requests, please contact Tiffany Countryman, Engagement and Learning Manager, at tiffany@humanracetheatre.org

Special Nights at The Loft

The Human Race continues its commitment to making theatre accessible and creating opportunities for audiences to engage beyond the performance. Special events surrounding Salem: Blood to Drink include: 

• Pay What You Can: Tuesday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m. — Final Dress Rehearsal. PWYC Beneficiary – R House

• Inside Track: Thursday, October 15 at 6:45 p.m. — A pre-show conversation in the lobby with the creative team. 

• While We’re On The Subject: Sunday, October 18 at 2 p.m. — A candid post-show conversation with cast and thematic experts. 

• Parents’ Day Out: Sunday, October 25 at 2 p.m. — Parents enjoy the show while children ages 5–12 participate in a theatre workshop, included free with the purchase of the parent’s ticket. 

• While We’re On The Subject: Sunday, October 25 at 2 p.m. — A post-show conversation with cast and thematic experts.

Support
The Human Race Theatre Company expresses gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible:  Loft Season Sponsor: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation. Sustainability Sponsors:   Steve and Lou Mason, The Toulmin Fund at The Dayton Foundation.  Additional Season support:  Erma R. Catterton Trust, Funds at The Dayton Foundation, Virginia F. Kettering Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Charles D. Berry Foundation, Sam Levin Foundation, Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts, and Pizza Factory.  Organizational support:  Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council, Arts Midwest and the National Endowment for the Arts. Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical. Pay What You Can Sponsor: Enterprise Holdings Foundation.  Capital Support: The Schiewetz Foundation, The Dayton Foundation, The Toulmin Fund at The Dayton Foundation, Oakwood Rotary.

About The Human Race Theatre Company

The Human Race Theatre Company is Dayton’s professional regional theatre company, exploring the human experience and promoting enlightenment, inclusion and understanding while startling us all into a renewed awareness of ourselves.

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