Prominent Theatre Artists to Boycott Factory Theatre

Prominent artists in the theatre community continue to rally around Ken Gass, the founder and artistic director of the Factory Theatre who was fired from his job on June 20 by nine members of the Board of Directors, who cited no cause for the dismissal.

Ken Gass founded the Factory Theatre in 1970, and then, returned in 1996 to save the company from bankruptcy by putting up his own money to pay the rent and revived the theatre to the thriving home of Canadian playwrights that it is today. He remains an icon in the national theatre landscape, having fostered the careers of countless Canadian playwrights, directors, actors and designers.

In addition to over 3600 names who signed a petition calling for the Board's resignation and Mr. Gass' re-instatement (visit http://chn.ge/N29FfJ for the petition) prominent artists have further challenged the board's decision by instigating a boycott.

Internationally lauded playwright George F. Walker had previously pulled his play from Factory Theatre's 2012-13 season in reaction to the board's actions.  Now acclaimed playwright Judith Thompson, whose work was also scheduled in the season, has signed the boycott demanding negotiations with the board and Ken's reinstatement.

The following is the boycott statement as of July 23, 2012:

 

TO THE FACTORY THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We, the undersigned, believe that the Factory Theatre Board of Directors showed astoundingly poor judgement in its firing of Artistic Director Ken Gass. We urge the board to reinstate Mr. Gass immediately, and to enter into meaningful negotiation to resolve the crisis that led to his firing.

It's our intention to boycott Factory Theatre, as artists and as patrons, until Mr. Gass is reinstated as artistic director.

Sincerely,

Maja Ardal

Tom Barnett
Nancy Beatty
Morwyn Brebner
Lora Senechal Carney

Leah Cherniak
Layne Coleman
Sean Dixon
Richard Donat
Atom Egoyan

David Ferry
Barry Flatman
Florence Gibson
Dean Gilmour
Janet-Laine Green

Kyra Harper
Deb Hay
Michael Healey
Martha Henry
Fiona Highet
Janelle Huchison
Maggie Huculak
Stuart Hughes

Brooke Johnson
C. David Johnson

Arsinee Khanjian

Janet Land

Michelle Latimer
Diana LeBlanc
Paul Ledoux
Patricia Ludwick
Kate Lynch

Ross Manson
Matthew McFadzean
Seana McKenna
John Mighton
Andrew Moodie
Tony Nappo
Lisa Norton

Rebecca Picherak
Gordon Pinsent
Rena Polley
Irene Poole
Miles Potter

 

Michael Redhill
Fiona Reid
Maria Ricossa
Erika Ritter
Lloyd & Nancy Robertson
Rick Roberts
John Roby
Dani Romain
Booth Savage
Tyrone Savage

Pamela Sinha
Michelle Smith
Tim Southam
Judith Thompson
Kristen Thomson
RH Thomson
Maria Vacratsis
Patricia Vanstone
George F. Walker
Trudy Weiss

Ron White

More information can be found at: www.savethefactory.ca