Scottish Rite Theatre Press Statement, August 9, 2013

 

 

 

Statement regarding recent press

On July 24, 2013 The Scottish Rite Theatre terminated its Executive Director, Emily Marks. Approximately three weeks earlier, The Scottish Rite Theatre terminated its business relationship with John Riedie, an independent contractor who provided booking and production assistance for the Theatre. Ms. Marks and Mr. Riedie are close friends.

It is the policy of the Scottish Rite Theatre not to publically discuss personnel matters. However, since their termination, Ms. Marks and Mr. Riedie have instigated a smear campaign, including blatantly false and malicious attacks against the Scottish Rite Theatre, its Board of Directors, the Austin Scottish Rite Fraternity, and Freemasonry in general. We are disappointed by the allegations that have been made in the wake of these personnel terminations and would prefer that all parties move beyond the termination of the business relationship. However, the relentless, vulgar, and untrue allegations and comments that have been made in the print media, social media and through dozens of email and text messages by Ms. Marks and Mr. Riedie to Board members and officers require our response.

First and foremost, The Scottish Rite Theatre is in full compliance with its obligations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Scottish Rite Theatre provides annual reporting to the IRS and will continue to do so. The Scottish Rite Theatre hosts a venue for children, the community, entertainers and philanthropic organizations including members and affiliates of the Austin Scottish Rite Fraternity. The Theatre’s operations will continue to fulfill its charitable purpose.

In addition, The Scottish Rite Theatre stands by its decision to close the building on July 24, 2013 after the Board learned for the first time late Tuesday, July 23, 2013 of an inspection previously conducted by the Austin Fire Department earlier that day that raised serious concerns about compliance with the Fire Code. To be clear, the Austin Fire Department did not close the building. However, after the Board learned of the inspection and the numerous safety concerns raised by the Austin Fire Department, The Scottish Rite Theatre acted prudently out of concerns for the safety of the children and staff attending camps at the Theatre. The children and staff were relocated to other venues and the Scottish Rite Theatre appreciates the understanding and support of the parents and children affected by the relocation.

In regards to Ms. Marks’ claims of alleged and unspecified intimidation, the Board was made aware of the claims, took them seriously and began a full investigation of the allegations. However, Ms. Marks refused to participate in the investigation or provide additional information to substantiate her claims.

The Scottish Rite Theater has a long history of providing quality children’s programming over the years and it is our intention to continue providing high quality, wholesome entertainment for children, their families, and the community.

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We've recovered our social media pages and invite you to stay informed about the future quality productions we are planning.

Brandon Watson on "Weird Rodeo at the Scottish Rite Theatre," Austin Chronicle, August 1, 2013

Following up word last week that artistic director Emily Marks was fired by the board:

 

 

'Weird Rodeo' at the Scottish Rite

Theatre fires artistic director as harassment charges come to light

By Brandon Watson, Aug. 1, 2013

When Emily Marks became artistic director of the Austin Scottish Rite The­ater in January of last year, she hit the ground running. The space soon became a creative hub, offering an eclectic mix of family programming, music, and comedy. Summer days were booked with camps to develop the next generation of Austin creativity. By most measures, Marks' tenure was a success. So it came as a shock to many in the community when, last week, she was abruptly fired.

 

According to former Executive Producer John Riedie, also fired last week, that termination was the culmination of a months-long campaign against Marks, sparked by her attempts to run the theatre independently from the Scottish Rite fraternity. Although the Scottish Rite gifted the building to the nonprofit theatre, Masons retained control of the board. Riedie says Marks was raising alarms because Scottish Rite involvement threatened the theatre's mission.


Indeed, minutes of the June 18, 2012 Board of Directors meeting reflect that Marks addressed the board with concerns about bylaw changes deepening Scottish Rite involvement – including giving the Masons sole authority to choose board members, and applying Scottish Rite rent payments as donations. That meeting's minutes read, "The Executive Director does not feel comfortable applying for grants relating the mission of providing 'Community & Children's Theatre' if the charter purpose of the corporation is not be[ing] followed due to the involvement of the Scot­tish Rite in Board decisions and business."


Around that time, Marks' relationship with the Board and some members of the fraternity began to sour. Riedie describes a culture of intimidation. He says there were weekly complaints from Masons about Marks, and incidents when Masons would padlock equipment to prevent use. He remembers occasions when a Scottish Rite member would refuse to shake Marks' hand. As Riedie describes it, it was a "weird rodeo of bullshit. They had a Mad Men-esque, retrograde way of handling professional women. Some bullied her. I saw one man get in her face shaking with rage." Riedie says the harassment got to a point that he and Marks formed a mutual evacuation plan.


Although the Board was made aware of those occurrences, Riedie says they were never adequately addressed. What's more, the Board appeared to be covering its tracks. After both he and Marks were terminated, the theatre quickly severed all ties with productions involving the pair. Performances of Charlotte's Web, which featured Marks as a cast member, were cancelled with only two days notice. On July 24, 35 participants in Mother Falcon's Music Lab were turned away by Scottish Rite brothers with the explanation that the building was deemed unsafe. A subsequent call to the fire department, Riedie says, revealed that no inspection of the building had occurred prior to that Wednesday.


Meanwhile, the fate of the theatre as a cultural institution remains unknown. Riedie says that although his contract gave him 180 days to complete work already in progress after termination, he is unsure if that programming will be allowed to happen. The summer camp series was also interrupted, with one group, "Puppet Pandemonium," still struggling to find a home.

[ALT note: A Facebook page 'Boycott Scottish Rite Theatre' currently has 135 'likes.']

Scottish Rite Theatre Fires Emily Marks, Cuts Short Charlotte's Web

Following is the Statesman article of July 26, only 79 words of which are available outside the www.mystatesman. subscriber pay wall:

 

Shows canceled, camps moved amid leadership changes at Scottish Rite Theater

By Andrea Ball, American-Statesman Staff

‍Scottish ‍Rite Theater fired its executive director this week, forcing the group to cancel eight performances and throwing into question the fate of its summer camps.

Emily Marks, who served as the group’s leader and artistic director since January 2012, was terminated by the board of directors Tuesday. Since then, the board has canceled its remaining performances of “Charlotte’s Web.” The ticketing agent has been contacted and all customers will get their money back, said board President Todd Smith.

Meanwhile the summer camps have been disrupted. Girls Thrive Theater has been relocated to the Salvage Vanguard Theater, Marks said. Arrangements are not yet made for Puppet Pandemonium.
Marks — who also did not publicly discuss the reasons behind her departure — said she is proud of the work she did at the nonprofit. Before working at the theater, Marks founded Girls Rock Austin, a nonprofit focused on female empowerment through music.

“I am incredibly proud of the work our team accomplished at the ‍Scottish ‍Rite Theater,” she said. “We have served over 12,000 children since January 2012. I am incredibly grateful to the original board and organizational infrastructure for hiring me, and remain proud of the excellent programming we provided in an incredible space.”

Smith also declined to comment on Marks’ firing.

“The ‍Scottish Theater has a long history of providing quality child programming over the years and it is our intention to continue providing high-quality, wholesome entertainment for children and their families,” Smith said.

The theater was built in the late 1800s and was purchased more than 100 years ago by the Austin ‍Scottish ‍Rite fraternity, which started the children’s theater in 2004 as a family programming venue.
Although the organization was created by the ‍Scottish ‍Rite, the theater is an independent nonprofit with an annual budget of about $300,000.

CHARLOTTE'S WEB, based on the E.B. White novel, Scottish Rite Theatre, July 6 - August 3, 2013

[207 W. 18th St. at Lavaca -- click for map]

presents

July 6 - August 3, 2013

Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Sundays at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Scottish Rite Theatre - click for map

The beloved childhood classic, based on the book by E.B. White and re-imagined by acclaimed director Jenny Larson, is a play that will enchant audiences with a story of loyalty and friendship.

Wilbur, an affectionate and spirited pig, is valiantly saved by a young girl named Fern from a deadly fate. But after being sent away to live on the Zuckerman farm, Wilbur finds it difficult to adjust without Fern. Wilbur soon befriends some local farm animals, including a kindhearted and clever spider named Charlotte. Unbeknownst to Wilbur, he is being well fed to meet his tragic fate. In an effort to save Wilbur's life, Charlotte weaves a plan with the help of an unlikely character.

This new adaptation captures a warmhearted tale with the help of live music arranged by Emily Marks, captivating puppetry designed by Caroline Reck, video projections by Chris Hatcher, and a stellar cast.
(Click to return to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

2012-2013 Children's Theatre Season for Scottish Rite Theatre

2012 - 2013 Season for Children's Theatre

Now Playing September 22 - October 28 (click for info)
December will bring a special production of Junie B Jones in Jingle Bells Batman Smells.
2013 will bring Farfalle by T.P.O. (Teatro di Piazza o d'Occasione), a distinguished international visual theater company from Italy. Audiences will enter a spellbinding world of digital wonder in this unusual and amazing theatrical spectacle for young people. Beautiful botanical images and captivating rainforest sounds emerge from every direction when a simple stage morphs into a magical playground that responds—in real time—to the graceful movements of two dancers. Even bigger thrills come when young ones from the audience are invited to touch and explore the glowing, interactive garden themselves. The evolution from caterpillar to butterfly has never been so brilliantly staged.
In April, the theater will present an adaptation of Pippi Longstocking with original music by SRT Artistic Director Emily Marks.
We'll have Emmy-nominated Sesame Street performer Leslie Carrera performing Wake Up Your Weird in May!
And finally, we will close out our summer with Charlotte's Web with puppetry!

Upcoming: Maurice Sendak's Really Rosie, Scottish Rite Theatre, September 22 - October 28

Maurice Sendak's Really Rosie

www.scottishritetheater.org/

Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., September 22, September 29, October 13, October 27
Sundays at 2 p.m. September 23 - October 28
Scottish Rite Theatre, 18th St. at LaVaca (click for map)

Tickets $9.27 for children, $11.34 for adults
available on-line through







The Scottish Rite Theatre is proud to present a unique production of Maurice Sendak's classic family musical. Rosie dreams of being a star and through force of personality makes everyone around her a part of her big break! Directed by Jenny Larson, with musical direction by SRT Artistic Director Emily Marks and starring a cast of young Austin rock musicians, including Lex Land as "Rosie", James Robinson, Matt Puckett and Claire Puckett of Mother Falcon, Hannah Hagar and Cole Wilson.

Staged as a rock show more than musical theater, this production features all new arrangements by the ensemble. Emily Marks created a band from scratch with the cast and they spent a month working up the tunes as though they were their own new material. The result is a fresh take on a 70s era milestone in children's theater.