Lawsuit Alleges Sexual Abuse by Co-Founders of Connecticut Community Theatre

Content Warning: This article contains detailed accounts of sexual abuse of minors. Reader discretion is strongly advised.

A lawsuit filed in a Connecticut Superior Court accuses the founders of Square Foot Theatre Company, Jared Brown and Patrick Laffin, of carrying out years of grooming and sexual abuse against a former performer, beginning when he was a child. The theatre company itself is also listed as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Counts in the complaint include negligence, reckless and wanton conduct, assault and battery, and both negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The entire complaint can be read here.

The Square Foot Theatre Company was founded in 2007 and moved to its Wallingford location in 2015. On its website, it states that its mission is to “develop the talent of children and adults in a nurturing environment, bringing quality theatre to our community.”

The plaintiff, identified only as John Doe to protect his privacy, states that he began performing with the theatre company in 2007(when it was previously named the Jared Andrew Studio) at just nine years old. It was during that time that he states that he viewed Brown and Laffin, who are married to each other, as “trusted teachers and mentors.” From that time forward, Doe claims, Brown and Laffin began grooming him through their positions as leaders of the commuinty theatre organization.

According to the complaint, the abuse escalated in September of 2015, when the co-founders allegedly invited Doe(who would be approximately 16-17 years old at that point) and other minors to their Hamden, CT home for social gatherings and overnight stays. The filing contends that the men supplied alcohol to the boy and then subjected him to repeated sexual assaults, including coerced sexual acts and exploitation alongside other minors.

The lawsuit also accuses Square Foot Theatre Company, of reckless conduct in its handling of abuse allegations. According to the complaint, the organization is alleged to have deliberately disregarded reports that Brown and Laffin were sexually abusing minors and hosting children for overnight stays at their home.

Jared Brown and Andrew Laffin (Photo: Square Foot Theatre Company

The filing claims theatre staff knew the men were exploiting and assaulting John Doe, yet intentionally allowed the abuse to continue. It further alleges they refused to investigate credible complaints, ignored red flags, and failed to protect children from harm.

In addition, the lawsuit states that staff permitted Brown and Laffin to maintain unsupervised access to minors, including overnight stays, despite knowing the risks. The company is accused of being willfully indifferent and failing to create or enforce policies to report or address sexual misconduct by its staff.

John Doe says the trauma has left him with lasting psychological injuries, including depression, anxiety, questioning his identity and sexuality, and difficulties forming relationships. He is seeking compensatory, punitive, and exemplary damages and coverage for ongoing medical and psychological treatment.

The case was filed by attorney Elizabeth R. Tress of The Reardon Law Firm in July and is seeking damages in excess of $15,000.

Brown and Laffin have not publicly responded to the allegations, nor has there been any statement from Square Foot Theatre Company at this time. Requests for comments have not been answered.

This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.