Purple Rose artistic director resigns following allegations

This news references our 7-part report on the abuse allegations at The Purple Rose Theater Company. Click on the links to read the report. Click here for Part 1. Click here for Part 2. Click here for Part 3. Click here for Part 4. Click here for Part 5. Click here for Part 6. Click here for Part 7.

Guy Sanville, the artistic director of the Purple Rose Theater Company, is stepping down according to a letter that the Purple Rose sent out to donors on Friday. Details of his stepping down are still being worked out according to the multi-page letter.

Sanville was the subject of a seven-article series this week here at OnStage Blog which detailed allegations of abuse dating back decades. The series included details of a 22-page letter signed by 70 artists outlining abuses, lawsuits filed against the Purple Rose, and complaints filed with Equity. Several past employees have been coming forward to share their stories of misconduct. The stories about Sanville have continued to pour in since this series was published, with some new ones dating back 35 years, before Sanville became artistic director.

We have contacted the Purple Rose for an official statement.

Sanville has been removed from the staff page of the Purple Rose.

The letter started with, “While our staff has been working every day to get back, at last, to fulfilling our mission of staging live productions, there has been some attention in recent days on theater media sources and social media that we would like to address for you.”

It went on to say that late this week, Sanville told the board he intends to step down from the organization “so as not to distract from the mission of the Purple Rose. We will work out the details of his departure with him.”

The letter further goes on to say that they have been aware of the allegations for the past year and have been investigating them. They write that they will continue to monitor and look into any allegations.

They specifically make no acknowledgment of wrongdoing and say that they found no evidence of abuse in the investigations that they did.

Sanville became the artistic director of the Purple Rose in 1995—four years after Daniels founded it. He has directed more than 50 plays there including 39 world premieres.