Friday, June 10, 2016
Arts / Theater / News Playwright withdraws script rights from Profiles Theatre in the wake of the Reader’s abuse investigation
Posted By Aimee Levitt on 06.10.16 at 04:20 PM
Penelope Skinner, the British playwright whose 2011 play The Village Bike was scheduled to open at Profiles Theatre in August, has withdrawn the rights to the script after reading this week's Reader investigation.
Her American agent, Scott Chaloff, released this statement from Skinner to the Arts Integrity Initiative:
When the article in the Chicago reader appeared, it was sent to me by a number of artists in the American theatre community and beyond it. Having read the article, alongside their emails, I feel it essential to withdraw the rights of my play ‘The Village Bike’ from that theatre. In light of the serious allegations made against the management, it would seem unwise for a production of this play – or indeed any play – to go on at that theatre until a full investigation has been made into their practices. I regret that it is not always possible from outside a community to hear the rumours of what goes on inside. Thank you to the brave actresses who came forward and to the writers of the article for raising awareness, and for giving the wider community an opportunity to take action.
The Reader has emailed Chaloff to seek further comment from Skinner.
Related Stories
-
Profiles Theatre actor: 'I got $75 a week to get the shit beat out of me'
Actors and crew members push back against denials that the onstage violence at Profiles Theatre was very often real.
- Jun 17, 2016
-
Profiles Theatre closes less than a week after Reader abuse exposé
Following a Reader investigation into misconduct, the theater announced it has closed after 28 years.
- Jun 14, 2016
-
'The statement is a study in crisis management': Not in Our House leaders decline to meet with Darrell Cox without an apology
Not in Our House plans to present a petition to the theater later this week.
- Jun 13, 2016
-
‘Unfortunately, I am the villain’: Profiles Theatre artistic director Darrell W. Cox responds to Reader abuse investigation
Profiles Theatre artistic director Darrell W. Cox dismisses allegations of workplace abuse documented by the Reader.
- Jun 10, 2016
-
Actors hand out copies of the Reader in front of Profiles Theatre
A rotating group of six or seven people handed out copies of the paper Thursday afternoon.
- Jun 9, 2016
-
Jeff Awards committee, Steppenwolf, and others condemn abuse alleged in Reader investigation of Profiles Theatre (Updated)
In addition, actors in Chicago and elsewhere have come forward to share their own stories of abuse.
- Jun 9, 2016
-
A critic’s mea culpa, or How Chicago theater critics failed the women of Profiles Theatre
Why did Chicago’s theater press corps not notice signs of trouble sooner?
- Jun 9, 2016
-
At Profiles Theatre the drama—and abuse—is real
For more than 20 years, actors and crew members stayed silent about mistreatment they suffered at the acclaimed storefront theater. Now they’re speaking up, hoping to protect workers in non-Equity theaters across the country.
- Jun 8, 2016
Comments (3)
Showing 1-3 of 3
More by Aimee Levitt
-
Open House Chicago, where real estate dreams come true
Or at least they do for one weekend.
- Jun 23, 2016
-
The hotel lobby isn’t a way station, it’s a destination
Come for the comfortable chairs, stay for the people-watching.
- Jun 23, 2016
-
Profiles Theatre belatedly acknowledges use of pseudonyms after Reader investigation
Just look at the screenshots.
- Jun 17, 2016
- More »
