Thursday, November 15, 2007

Rosevear quits; Interplayers in transition

Effective tomorrow, the managing director of Interplayers, Esta Rosevear, has resigned her position. The 27-year-old theater hs been without an artistic director for a year, and now it lacks an employee tasked with supervising the theater's finances.

Rosevear cites "artistic differences" with board members as the reason for her mid-season exit.

Jim McCurdy has resumed the position of president of the board of directors (after Liberty Lake city councilman Brian Sayrs had to resign the post for medical reasons); the Interplayers board now has 10 members, several of them new.

Rosevear had been hired as a business manager in July 2006, then promoted to managing director.

66 comments:

  1. The Mcurdey's keep driving people away when is someone going to stop them, so we can save this theatre?

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  2. What about the Civic Board? Now down to 7 (or less) members?

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  3. As long as the McCurdy's are "in charge" this theatre is in real trouble.

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  4. Re: the Civic Board. With only 7 (or less) members - are they in violation of their by-laws?
    This would jeopardize their non-profit status.
    Just asking.

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  5. What about the Civic Board?? The McCurdy team has done everthing to drive Interplayers into the ground. We all see it. The Civic Board and the artistic director are doing everything they can to keep Civic healthy. Big difference there.

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  6. resignation after resignation.

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  7. Less than seven. Sad, sad day

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  8. It may be a small board at Civic, but I for one am glad to see the last of those responsible for Black Friday finally leave.

    Why is it people in Spokane feel they can only be loyal to one theatre? I'm sorry Interplayers is in trouble, why is this an occasion to find fault with Civic?

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  9. Not that sad if it puts an end to the power struggles.

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  10. yes but some amazing people who give a great deal were lost as well.

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  11. Seriously, what qualifications do the McCurdy's have to run a theatre? We've not seen any thus far. They have no business running a theatre. One thing is sure. We do know they are interested in ruining the theatre. That much is evident. At least at Civic, there's someone at the helm who not only has the qualifications but has proven in her time here that she's good for the business side. Civic is thriving for the first time in many years thanks to it's artistic director and tireless volunteers. Now, Interplayers? People leave because of the poor choices being made on almost a daily basis. What has the McCurdy team done to keep the theatre thriving? Nothing. You don't hear about the theatre anymore, you hear about what the McCurdy's are doing TO it. That's it. I, for one, miss the glory days of Interplayers. It was something to look forward to when Bob, Joan and Michael were around. Now, sadly, not so much.

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  12. some very good people were treated very badly.

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  13. Give up on the "black friday" already.Only one resignation was from "black friday.

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  14. Black Friday? Really? Welcome to the now...btw. Let the past be and actually look at what theatres are thriving and which one is dying a painful death. And those "good" people behaved badly. Just as the "bad" people did. Not *ONE* person is to blame. It's the whole group of them. Every single person was out for THEMSELVES, not the theatre. That's the actual sad part of it all. Turn your eyes to the theatre who needs help and needs to be freed from the clutches of those who would see it die.

    How's that for drama?

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  15. A seven-member board that works is much better than a 25 member board that talks. Most large corps don't have boards that large. I think 7-9 is good... large enough to work even if 1 or 2 miss a meeting, but small enough to make decisions and get things done. The important part is to have the theatre's long-term health in mind at all times. Something I don't see at Interplayers at all.

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  16. What happened to make so many leave?

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  17. What matters is the quality of the board members which, by the way is questionable at our local theaters. So many have their own personal agenda that interferes with the greater good of the organization.

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  18. Or are all friends.

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  19. I am not surprised this happened. The Rosavears thought they were God's gift to theatre. No wonder heads were butting.

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  20. when r we going to recieve the whole story? Where is civic theatre's new board president?Bobo do u have these answers?

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  21. Civic is thriving.Many of those who left the board are planning to stay involved.The staff works in colaboration better then they have in years thanks to the superior leadership of the Artistic director.The positives of the last three years far out weigh the negatives.What's really great though is the quality of what is being seen on the stage at Civic, for the most part excellent theatre and double to triple the amount of people auditioning, thanks to a really strong stable of directors ,actors want to work with and an excellent production team.I hope interplayers finds their way, we need all the theatre we can get. Please though be happy that the Civic is strong.

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  22. This should all be public record someone just needs to ask.

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  23. The Interplayers thread is getting mixed with the Civic thread here. Mabye two threads Bobo?

    On Interplayers == Artistic Differences?? There hasn't been any artistic players there in over a year?

    Is this the McCurdy's way of stating that they are now artists?

    It's becoming sadly laughable!

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  24. While we are at it, ART's board isn't looking so hot either. Any other theaters we can throw in here as well or do we have them all covered now?

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  25. Why hasn't there been an article about the mass resignation of Civic Board Members? Especially the Pres, Ron Rector, who was so great as the Pres. of the MAC? What's behind this? Anyone reading this an investigative reporter?

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  26. If there should be an investigative report it should be at Interplayers. At least Civic has financial records.

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  27. Is there a way to separate the thread of Interplayers from that of Civic. Two serious problems but not related. Has anyone looked closely at the Civic's financial records? Once again, what's not being said in those resignations is the real story.

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  28. If you have any questions about The Civic Theatre please feel free to call the Artistic Directer.You are not going to receive accurate information on a blog.That is, if your questions are because you're truly concerned and not just stirring the pot.Chuck Shannon is the president of the Civic Board ,a respected and long standing supporter of the theatre.All the board members are listed on The Civic Theatres web sight.Now that you know where to direct your questions I hope this information sets your mind at ease.

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  29. I don't think it's the Civic we're worried about. I think it's Interplayers. We watch a theatre die and what do we do? Stand aside and let it happen? the McCurdey's need to stand aside and give the theatre back to the people who love it. We are going to lose this theatre to a terrible death. It's time to step up.

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  30. This blog had a similar thread over a year ago after Wes Deitrick was unfortunately let go from Interplayers.
    The McCurdey's seem hell bent on staying put and ruining this theatre no matter what.
    Who can stop them? I wish I knew the answer to that one.

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  31. This string of blogs intermixes Civic and Interplayers issues. My comments are only about Civic. "Anonymous" recently asked where Ron Rector is amongst the chaos at Civic Theatre. My information is that he, along with the majority of other Board members, resigned during what amounts to a staff coup. Board members asked for financial accountability from staff, who, in response, threatened disruption of theatre operations if Rector remained on the Board and if various Board demands for staff comportment were not withdrawn. Civic Theatre is now being operated by staff in conjunction with a rubber stamp board. Decisions regarding Board and Officer nominations, bylaw modifications and daily operations are being approved in violation of quorum requirements. Fiduciary and other legal oversight responsibilities of the Board are at risk of being ignored. As with other coups, it's unclear what can be done now that the horse is so far out of the barn. Anyone have any ideas?

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  32. Concerning the Civic - there has been an ongoing fight between the artistic director and the board for months. It came to a head when the director was asked to report on the spending of funds raised for the redesign of the front entrance on a different project. She refused to have the financial report reported in a manner that the board could understand and threatened to quit and take the theater staff with her. The threat scared some members from voting to censure the director since the season was opening in a week and she was the show director. Good timing. Ten board members then resigned. At the next board meeting the Artistic Director would not allow the minutes of the previous meeting to be approved,even though that position has no vote. She now runs the board which does not follow non-profit board bylaw regulations . The Civic's capability to raise money has now been greatly reduced because of the many community leaders that resigned, Mr Ron Rector being only one example.

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  33. I beg to differ. No accurate information is coming from the reason for the mass resignations at civic

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  34. Readers of this blog should be aware that, on 12/3/07, I provided details of Civic Theatre's crisis. BoBo chose not to approve my blog entry. His allegiances and agenda should be questioned. Meanwhile, I'm looking for other ways to publish my information.

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  35. When were the previously mentioned "mass resignations" at Civic? I remember hearing of many people leaving aRT recently...is someone getting our local theatres confused?

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  36. Dear, I beg to differ.The person who was trying to tell you where you could get the information you seek gave you a pretty good answer.Move on already!Were trying to figure out what to do for interplayers which is the theatre that needs saving.Your sounding redundant.Take that other bloggers advice.

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  37. I think the question regarding the Civic's by-laws and the required number of board members is a valid one.

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  38. The more we hear "move on - nothing to see here" the more interested in the information people become.

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  39. 28 of the above 29 comments are from good ole ANONYMOUS. What's the matter, folks? Why are you so ashamed to be identified with your comments? A few of them even make sense.

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  40. About the Civic board, did you provide your details to Jim Kershner at The Spokesman Review? Also, there's a Civic MySpace page. I don't think it's an "official" site, but looks like there's activity.
    http://www.myspace.com/spokanecivictheatre

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  41. "Black Friday", Susan? OMG get over it already!!!

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  42. I think the point about the number of members remaining on the Civic board is that they may be in violation of their by-laws and therfore maybe in violation of their non-profit status.

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  43. Touchy, touchy! Relax.

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  44. Dear anonymous Civic Theatre apologist:
    You continue to try to obfuscate the dire problems at Civic Theatre by intermixing them with Interplayers and ART issues. Regardless of what's going on with these other groups, Civic Theatre has major problems, manifested by the recent mass Board resignations. My attempts to reveal the problems through this blogspot have so far been suppressed by Bobo, but I intend to get the infomation out one way or another. Civic is in trouble, and major donors are now reluctant to throw good money after bad.

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  45. Dear "beg to differ" - You are not the only one to be edited. I posted a comment giving you possible alternative outlets for your information, but it was not published. I also posed a comment regarding the theatre by-laws, but that was not posted either. I thought that the concept behind a blog was that it is open (without name-calling, extreme language, etc.) to all comments, not edited to suit the needs of the blog author. As far as hijacking the InterPlayers blog for a discussion on Civic board, there wasn't much of an option, as "Bobo" (for whatever reason) isn't covering the mass exodus story.

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  46. I too have attempted to pose a comment about the Civic's by-laws and the number of board members they are required to have but it was not posted. It's a valid question. It needs to be addressed.

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  47. Bobo understands the difference between opinion and inflamatory hearsay.And there is no question but that your comments seem intended to do damage.Please be careful about making what are close to slanderous remarks.And just to be very clear the definition of hearsay is:unverified information aquired from another rumor.Bobo's just keeping the integrity of his blog.

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  48. Anonymous comments about unnamed persons cannot be slander. Secondly, when it's in print, its libel, Lastly, don't be so defensive. It only lends credence to the comments with which you disagree

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  49. True words anonymous (8:23 a.m.).
    The more you hear "move on - nothing to see here" the more curious one becomes.
    Threats ("be very careful...") and a defensive posture only heighten the wtf???? and make people go hmmmmm......

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  50. You all are very funny. I mean seriously. The theatres of this city are all of ours and every single one of them at one time or another have been in desperate need and need support, not cranky people trying to do each other in. Instead of gossiping, how about we pull together and support ALL the theatres in Spokane. Grow up and move on.

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  51. I don't think that anyone disputes the ownership of the Spokane theaters. In fact, it is because of this "ownership" that folks are concerned about inappropriate autonomy in any one of them

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  52. I don't feel that any of this has been "gossip". Legitimate questions are being asked. No answers appear to be forthcoming. And this constant "move on" is a fairly annoying respnse. And "grow up"? Patronizing and demeaning.

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  53. "Inflammatory hearsay"??? "Slander"??? My information is first-hand and factual; I just can't seem to get it posted. Of course we all want to support the welfare of Civic Theatre---that's why we bother to blog. But moving on appears the worst choice in light of Civic's crisis, which needs the light of day. It should not be swept under the carpet. Speaking of remarks that are "close to slander", I'm feeling a little sensitive about being called "cranky".

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  54. Has anyone else noticed that Bobo hasn't posted anything of any kind on his blog since November 20th? Maybe he's the one we should be worried about?

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  55. Merry Chistmas and a Happy New Year.As far as I know Interplayers ,Art and Civic are still there.I suggest we all take a deep breath and move on.All theatre's, even the ones not mentioned good luck on your upcoming productions and break a leg!!!

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  56. Wow. Someone on the Civic board must have "blog-monitor" in their job description! Well, to them: Just because your agenda has been thus far successful, do not expect that people who are actually concerned for the theater's well being are going to remain quiet and "move on". Shame on you and your self-serving agenda!

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  57. Wow - regarding the Civic board and regulations, etc etc. So far from the truth. SO FAR. I also hear they they are getting amazing contributions (I made one) and attendance - they must be doing something right. I think there are a few upset folks on this blog BoBo and they just like to complain and cause "issues".

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  58. Some very good people were driven or forced away from all three theatres in town. It's a sad thing when people only care about themselves and their egos and don't want accountability instead of what is best for the theatres and the greater good in general.

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  59. You know, 'defensive anonymous' has yet to publish a coherent response detailing why her responses regarding the well-being of Civic are correct and everyone else has it wrong...huh.

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  60. Just weighing in to say that the anonymous poster which another anonymous poster calls "Susan" is not the only person who remembers what is being referred to as "Black Friday". And I only mention this in passing on my way to other things.

    (No comment currently on the situation at Interplayers, but I do so look forward to more sniping from the anonymites.)

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  61. Hi Bo bo , some time ago I believe you said comments in the future would no longer be anonymous.Are you going to impliment this soon?It might be healthy for all concerned myself included.

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  62. I am leaving this as anonymous because I don't want to jump through hoops to post a comment for now - but i agree about anonymous comments! Make is so BoBo please - let's see if people are willing to put their name on the line in THIS FORUM. C'mon folks let's step up and be accountable for what we say... right? That's the point of all this accusations and what is PERCEIVED (don;t want to offend wither side of the argument) to be hearsay UNTIL you attach your name to the post. Somehow I SUSPECT that if this becomes the policy on this blog, more nice things will be said then bad... no more hiding...hehehehe (DO IT BOBO / DO IT!)

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  63. I think people continue to post as "anonymous" because they are afraid of what will happen to them next time they want to do a show. They've seen grudges in action with this group. And if you just don't want to jump through hoops you could have included your name as part of your comments.

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  64. I'm not so sure the board gets to take credit for the quality of the productions at Civic. The countless hours and talents that the volunteers donate, along with SOME talented directors, are probably the real reasons for any show's success

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  65. I am baffled by the amount of hubris and hate that seems to permeate this particular thread.
    Most of these comments appear to be motivated by self interest or partisan politics so rampant in theatre in general. Of course the smaller the town, the greater the internal politics. If we are truly a community that cares about the survival of the performing arts in Spokane and Bobo or anyone else has a problem with any of these theatres, why not see what you can do to HELP them survive? Instead, many of you are busily pointing fingers and shouting "Witch!"

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