It’s Autumn, 1774. Massachusetts is confined, punished & neglected by the Royal Government. Tyranny sparks hopes of Revolution! When Patriots meet secretly in Salem, enslaved Africans want to take the talk of Liberty at face value. Can they? Join the forbidden assembly!

Attending “In Open Rebellion” is your chance to imagine yourself amidst Salem’s Patriots, Loyalists and enslaved Africans as the seaside town prepares for a secret Provincial Congress. Learn what Africans may have been thinking about the impending revolution, hear songs from the time period and be surrounded by the Revolutionary energy of Salem’s liberty-aspiring inhabitants.

In Open Rebellion was commissioned in 2024 by the Essex National Heritage Commission to be written by Kristina Wacome Stevick. Attend the world premiere, February 23, 2025. Be surrounded by Adeniyi Samuel as “Caesar”, and Colin LaMusta, Caleb Palmer, Carl Schultz, Hannah Spangler, Brigid Warner-Streff, and Jon Warner-Streff as the Patriot and Loyalist citizens of Salem, as the candlelit Old Town Hall transforms into the historic meeting house–just a stone’s throw from the site of the October 1774 secret meetings! Directed by Samantha Searles. Produced by History Alive, Inc.

Run time is 35 minutes. Admission is free but timed reservations are required.

Performances will be held on Sunday, February 23 at 3:00 pm and 4:15 pm at Salem’s historic Old Town Hall.

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism via a grant to The City of Salem.

It’s Autumn, 1774. Massachusetts is confined, punished & neglected by the Royal Government. Tyranny sparks hopes of Revolution! When Patriots meet secretly in Salem, enslaved Africans want to take the talk of Liberty at face value. Can they? Join the forbidden assembly!

Attending “In Open Rebellion” is your chance to imagine yourself amidst Salem’s Patriots, Loyalists and enslaved Africans as the seaside town prepares for a secret Provincial Congress. Learn what Africans may have been thinking about the impending revolution, hear songs from the time period and be surrounded by the Revolutionary energy of Salem’s liberty-aspiring inhabitants.

In Open Rebellion was commissioned in 2024 by the Essex National Heritage Commission to be written by Kristina Wacome Stevick. Attend the world premiere, February 23, 2025. Be surrounded by Adeniyi Samuel as “Caesar”, and Colin LaMusta, Caleb Palmer, Carl Schultz, Hannah Spangler, Brigid Warner-Streff, and Jon Warner-Streff as the Patriot and Loyalist citizens of Salem, as the candlelit Old Town Hall transforms into the historic meeting house–just a stone’s throw from the site of the October 1774 secret meetings! Directed by Samantha Searles. Produced by History Alive, Inc.

Run time is 35 minutes. Admission is free but timed reservations are required.

Performances will be held on Sunday, February 23 at 3:00 pm and 4:15 pm at Salem’s historic Old Town Hall.

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism via a grant to The City of Salem.