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| Student Norah McNellis. |
PLEASE BE ADVISED that co-founder and artistic director John Clark Donahue, as well as a number of staff and/or school faculty members of the theatre (actor/instructor Jason McLean, for one) have been convicted and/or charged with criminal and/or civil crimes of sexual abuse of minors. In winter of 2019, in civil court, the Children's Theatre Company was also found guilty of negligence in these matters which occurred during the time period of the 1970s and 1980s (and probably earlier). Consequently, please be aware that the images and links within this blog include the contributions and participation of certain minors who were victims/survivors/witnesses of sexual and emotional abuse and residual trauma, as well as certain adult perpetrators, enablers, and/or former victims.
There is much to be discussed in regards to the Children's Theatre Company's educational philosophy and its practical application within the training programs and production/performance activity of The Children's Theatre Company and School.
Always held in high value to the product on the stage was the "age appropriate" casting of actors. That meant that the young people would require training.
Students would more often than not receive their training from the professional company staff members and would (in theory if not in actual practice), apply their training alongside the faculty on the mainstage in performance (and not just onstage, but also backstage and in every area of production). Young people were welcomed. Young people were challenged. Young people were provided limitless opportunities. Young people were expected to recognize the possibilities, adopt the discipline, respect the endeavor, and share in the professional demeanor of a world class regional theatre.
Education Brochure, circa 1977:
Voice Class with Leslye Orr. 1981. Featured student: Nate Peterson
Dance Class 1981. Rana Haugen, age 13.
