Women's Week: Gretchen Wylder

2026 Salem Witch Trial

Written/performed by Gretchen Wylder

Description: 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 one-woman 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 show reinterprets Biblical women’s stories and becomes a fierce reclamation of spirituality, all while trying not to get burned at the stake.

"Best Solo Show” Spookies Award Winner at Edinburgh Fringe ‘25 and “Fierce Artist Award” Winner at Hollywood Fringe ‘26.

Directed by Ryan Cunningham (Broad City, Inside Amy Schumer)

Bio: Gretchen Wylder (Writer/Performer/Producer) is multi-disciplinary artist and creator/writer/actor of indie queer comedy series These Thems, which screened at 40 film festivals and won seven awards. Gretchen has a vast background in musical theatre (Off-Broadway’s Avenue Q, Rent, Wild Party), and founded independent film company Wylder Womyn Productions in 2018 with laurels at Tribeca, Outfest, Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts, et al. Her evolving horror/comedy solo show, 2026 Salem Witch Trial, has won awards at Edinburgh and Hollywood Fringe Festivals. A feature film based on the show was a finalist for the Get It Made Page-to-Proof ‘26 screenwriting competition. IG: @gretchenwylder @salemwitchshow, TikTok: @wylderwytch