I was once excited to support this theatre and participate in its productions, but over time my…read moreconfidence in the organization has steadily declined.
The most recent example involved a social media post following the announcement of Tim Curry's passing. The theatre published a post that many community members perceived as distasteful and opportunistic, using the news of his death to promote its Spring 2027 production of Clue. Whether that was the intent or not, numerous patrons expressed genuine concerns about the timing and tone.
Rather than consistently handling those concerns with professionalism, the theatre's official social media account became increasingly defensive. The individual managing the account identified herself as the theatre's Marketing and Development Manager, Ray Lowe, and responded to members of the public with comments such as, "Please stop your bias," "I'm so over it," "I'm sorry I am smart and know how to make a brand sound professional," and "Please freaking stop." Those are not the kinds of responses I expect from someone entrusted with representing a community arts organization whose role is to build relationships with patrons, donors, volunteers, and the public.
What concerns me even more is that the entire public exchange, including the theatre's own responses, was later removed. Rather than leaving the conversation visible and addressing the criticism transparently, the result was that the public could no longer see the interaction that prompted the concerns or evaluate the organization's response, and the conduct of its Marketing and Development Manager while representing the theatre, for themselves.
Unfortunately, this incident did not feel like an isolated mistake. Based on my own experiences with the organization over the years, I have watched the theatre's culture, professionalism, and public image steadily decline. Marketing has become inconsistent, the quality and reputation of productions appear to have diminished, and concerns raised by patrons or volunteers seem increasingly to be met with defensiveness or dismissal rather than thoughtful engagement. These are not the qualities that inspire confidence in a community organization that depends on the trust and support of its volunteers, audiences, donors, and local artists.
Community theatre thrives on collaboration, transparency, accountability, and respectful engagement. I sincerely hope the Board of Directors takes a careful look at the organization's leadership, current staff members, communication practices, and overall culture. This theatre has the potential to be an incredible asset to the community, but meaningful accountability and a renewed commitment to professionalism are needed if it hopes to regain the confidence of those who have chosen to step away.
Screenshots of the social media incident can be seen here: https://imgur.com/a/Jzkyt81
