More than 1.8 million people came to Salem last October, according to Destination Salem. Most of them walked right past 290 Essex Street without a second glance. However, that address hides a restored 19th-century auditorium. This fall it becomes the home of the Ames Hall Gothic Series. Two productions take the stage inside Ames Memorial Hall at the Salem YMCA. First comes The Woman in Black, a ghost story for the stage, running October 2 through 18 at $30. Then The Haunted Hall takes over — a 45-minute candlelit solo piano concert, running October 23 through November 1 at $25. Additionally, every dollar of proceeds goes directly to Creative Arts programming and scholarships at the YMCA of the North Shore. Therefore, this is the rare October ticket in Salem where the money stays in the community. In total, the series runs 32 performances across five weeks.
What is the Ames Hall Gothic Series?
The series is new for 2026. Specifically, it pairs live theatre and live music under one roof. Furthermore, each production suits Salem’s October atmosphere through craft rather than shock.
Furthermore, the hall itself has a story worth knowing. Walter J. Paine designed the Classical Revival building in 1898, and Ames Memorial Hall opened on its second floor as a concert and lecture hall. It takes its name from benefactor George Leonard Ames. President William Howard Taft once spoke from that stage. In 1983, the building joined the National Register of Historic Places.
Then the room effectively disappeared. For decades it served as a basketball court, the balcony gone and the stage buried under a gymnasium. A $3.4 million capital campaign brought it back in 2014 — reconstructed balcony seating, a larger stage and backstage, proper theatre lighting and sound, climate control. Consequently, Salem got back a room with ornate detail, intimate scale, and genuinely good bones.
Today Ames Memorial Hall sits under the stewardship of the YMCA of the North Shore and its Creative Arts Department.
“There is something wonderfully appropriate about launching this series in Salem,” said Jay Gould, Creative Arts Director at the Salem YMCA. “A historic theatre, October nights, a little mystery, and a whole lot of Halloween atmosphere.”
The Woman in Black: a ghost story built for a small room
The Woman in Black adapts Susan Hill’s 1983 novel. In it, a solicitor haunted by what he witnessed years earlier hires an actor to help him tell the story aloud. Two performers carry the entire piece. Meanwhile, the set stays minimal and the dread does the work.
Alexandra Dietrich directs. Tyler Twombly plays Arthur Kipps. Additionally, Gary Ames plays The Actor, while Stanis Ames and Ariel Sargent share the title role.
“Filled with suspense, mystery, and theatrical ingenuity, The Woman in Black has captivated audiences around the world for decades,” the production’s official description reads.
Tickets are $30, general seating. Furthermore, the show runs 1 hour 30 minutes with no intermission.
One note for families: the production carries a content advisory covering suspense, frightening moments, darkness, theatrical effects, and themes of grief. Therefore, the YMCA recommends it for ages 12 and up.
The Haunted Hall: 20 candlelit piano concerts
Then the room changes character entirely.
Eleena Gelfgatt performs The Haunted Hall, a 45-minute solo piano concert played entirely by candlelight. Specifically, she holds a Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the National Music Academy in Kyiv, Ukraine. Additionally, she has performed across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. Her honors include Ukraine’s National Stravinsky Award and an honorary award in Jerusalem. In 2018, she made her Carnegie Hall debut.
“Blending classical artistry with Halloween atmosphere, the concert invites audiences into an immersive world of seasonal works and hauntingly beautiful repertoire performed entirely by candlelight,” the official description says.
Twenty performances run across two weekends, including four on Halloween night itself. Meanwhile, the series closes on November 1. Tickets are $25, general seating, with no intermission.
Twenty shows sounds like plenty. Nevertheless, this is Salem in October. Plan early.
Full schedule and tickets
The Woman in Black — $30, general seating · 1 hr 30 min, no intermission · ages 12+
Get tickets → · All 12 performances on our calendar
| Date | Times |
|---|---|
| Friday, Oct 2 | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, Oct 3 | 2:00 PM · 7:30 PM |
| Sunday, Oct 4 | 2:00 PM |
| Friday, Oct 9 | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, Oct 10 | 2:00 PM · 7:30 PM |
| Sunday, Oct 11 | 2:00 PM |
| Friday, Oct 16 | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, Oct 17 | 2:00 PM · 7:30 PM |
| Sunday, Oct 18 | 2:00 PM |
The Haunted Hall — $25, general seating · 45 min, no intermission
Get tickets → · All 20 performances on our calendar
| Date | Times |
|---|---|
| Friday, Oct 23 | 6:00 PM · 8:00 PM |
| Saturday, Oct 24 | 2:00 PM · 4:00 PM · 6:00 PM · 8:00 PM |
| Sunday, Oct 25 | 2:00 PM · 4:00 PM · 6:00 PM |
| Thursday, Oct 29 | 6:00 PM · 8:00 PM |
| Friday, Oct 30 | 6:00 PM · 8:00 PM |
| Saturday, Oct 31 | 2:00 PM · 4:00 PM · 6:00 PM · 8:00 PM |
| Sunday, Nov 1 | 2:00 PM · 4:00 PM · 6:00 PM |
Additionally, the official Ames Hall Gothic Series page carries full series information.
Where do Ames Hall Gothic Series proceeds go?
This is the part that separates the series from most October tickets in Salem.
All proceeds support Creative Arts Programming and scholarship opportunities at the YMCA of the North Shore. Specifically, that revenue opens doors for children, teens, and families across the region. It covers theatre, music, dance, visual arts, and creative education, regardless of what a family can pay.
“What makes this series particularly meaningful to me is that it isn’t simply about putting on two productions,” Gould said. “The proceeds will directly support Creative Arts scholarships and programming at the YMCA, helping us continue to create opportunities for young people and families to participate in the arts.”
Therefore, the math is unusually direct. Buy a seat, fund a seat.
Tell someone about it
Salem’s biggest October draws have the biggest signs. Meanwhile, a 19th-century auditorium a few steps off the pedestrian mall is quietly running 32 performances.
So share the post. Forward it to someone who loves theatre. Additionally, bring someone who has never walked through the doors of Ames Memorial Hall.
“You never know which person you tell might become our next audience member, volunteer, performer, student, or supporter,” Gould said.
Furthermore, that is how an arts community actually grows — person to person, one recommendation at a time. We cover stage work across the North Shore, from North Shore Music Theatre to a second-floor auditorium on Essex Street. Creative Collective works across Essex County to connect people to exactly this kind of work, and manages the Haunted Happenings Marketplace each October. Moreover, the Ames Hall Gothic Series shows what the regional ecosystem can hold.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Woman in Black too scary for kids?
The YMCA recommends it for ages 12 and up. The production carries an advisory for suspense, frightening moments, darkness, theatrical effects, and themes of grief. If you are weighing it for a younger attendee, contact the box office first. They can talk you through what the show actually does.
How long are the two shows?
The Woman in Black runs 1 hour 30 minutes with no intermission. Meanwhile, The Haunted Hall runs 45 minutes, also with no intermission. Therefore, both leave room for dinner before or after somewhere in downtown Salem.
Where is Ames Memorial Hall, and where do I park?
Ames Memorial Hall is the second-floor auditorium inside the Salem YMCA. Specifically, the address is 290 Essex Street, on the corner of Essex and Sewall. Salem has public garages and lots within walking distance. However, street parking gets scarce on Haunted Happenings weekends, so build in extra time. Our guide to Salem in the fall covers getting around downtown in October.
Do proceeds really go to scholarships?
Yes. The organizers state that all proceeds from both productions support Creative Arts Programming and scholarships at the YMCA of the North Shore. Furthermore, that applies across the entire run, from opening night on October 2 through the final concert on November 1.
Can I see both shows on one trip?
Not on the same weekend. The Woman in Black closes October 18, and The Haunted Hall opens October 23. Therefore, catching both means two visits. Alternatively, if you are in Salem for Halloween, The Haunted Hall plays four times on October 31.
About the author: John Andrews is the founder of Creative Collective, covering Essex County arts, business, and community.
This story comes from the Creative Collective community — Essex County businesses who believe when we thrive together, our whole region becomes more vibrant. We’re entrepreneurs, creators, and service providers across all industries, collaborating to build the community we want to be part of. If you see your business as more than just commerce — as a way to contribute to our regional ecosystem — you belong here. Discover how to join our community →
