Climbing out the Skylight
I really need to dig a bit further before posting sometimes, but really, who could think so much could happen in a day?
Fired (and position eliminated) Skylight Opera Theatre Artistic Director Bill Theisen was still slated to direct 4 productions on a freelance basis for SOT. After the uproar over his firing, the SOT Board of Directors attempted to reduce the PR damage by offering Theisen his job back. Theisen refused. The Board, now stuck with the consequences of its decision, apparently began watching SOT employees online. As a result of this, they recently fired two cast members for comments made on Facebook. Yesterday, as a result of his cast being removed from under him, Theisen backed out of his contract. Now SOT was stuck with not only replacing the booted two cast members, but also the director of the upcoming show.
But wait, there’s more! As a show of support for Theisen, four more performers have backed out of their contracts for upcoming productions. This is in addition to two others removing themselves from consideration at the theatre they have called home for years.
What does it say about an opera company that loses at least 7 artists in protest of the current management of the company? To quit in protest at a time when there are even fewer jobs available in a field that was already difficult to find work in before the recession?
You’ve got to feel for SOT’s PR department/person. The Board of Directors really aren’t helping promote opera this year. Hey, maybe the Board should read their own letters: “Your statements violate what we consider are the obligations of an artist who performs at the Skylight.”
Hudson & Gaines
