“In a world that can often be divisive and chaotic, you remind us that the stage is a place where differences are celebrated, where stories are told, and where hearts are opened.”

“A community theatre in Utah is facing outrage after it was discovered they had cast a convicted sexual abuser in multiple shows with minors in the ensemble. To make matters worse, the parents of the minors were never notified a sex offender would be in close contact with their children.”

‘Leavenworth Summer Theatre is ultimately a great success story for theatre. I hope it sparks some great ideas all over the country.”

“A local theatre community in Wisconsin was rocked last week when the director of their upcoming production of Cabaret abruptly resigned from the production just days before it opened. The resignation was apparently in response to multiple allegations against the director.”

“I see theatres take pride in saying how inclusive and welcoming they are toward many people, I couldn’t help but notice something: Many of them also cast the exact same people in the lead roles of nearly every show that they do.”

“Theatre creates something that wasn’t there before, and those of us who share in the beauty of that experience must live through the loss of letting it go.”

“Theatre touches something deep within me, and that happens whether I’m working on a show or am an audience member watching one. Just being around art, in all forms, is a satisfying experience for me.”

“As many of us prepare to return to in-person theatre, there’s been an emphasis on safety like never before. While COVID precautions are vital, we must also take precautions to keep our casts safe from dangerous people. Simply put, predators appear anywhere people gather. But over time I’ve found person after person who somehow thinks that we theatremakers are immune from incidents happening in our communities. The truth is, we’re not.”

“So, coming out of a shutdown, should local theatres be looking to do more of Suzan-Lori Parks’ work or Neil Simon’s? Is this the time to be bold and reinvent? Or should community theatres try to fill as many seats as possible by doing beloved “chestnuts” and worry about boldness for a later time?”

“I would like to say that for those of you who may have enjoyed being part of the theatre community, but now are refusing to do your part and protect that very community -I hope you enjoyed the work you did. You should not be allowed to do it anymore.”

“Throughout my years of both being involved in community theatre and covering it, I’ve seen constant examples of theatre groups tolerating and ignoring the bad behavior of their male talent. This practice has led to serious issues such as sexual misconduct which could have been prevented if theatre officials took real action.”

Dear Community Theatre,

Before I had become acquainted with you, I was a young child. A young, introverted, homeschooled, shy-as-hell child. My mother had said before then we should get to know each other, but I didn’t budge. I didn’t want a spotlight. I didn’t want a line. I wanted to stay in my room and be left alone. I didn’t see what you had to offer, what my potential with you was, and I didn’t care.

Now, I can’t thank you enough.