Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
With a heavy heart, we are initiating this petition to address the pressing issues that have gone unaddressed for many years at the Ruffin Theater under the management of the Tipton Arts Council (TAC). We are deeply saddened that the last resort for change at the theater we all love was to start such a public campaign as this.
Current board members have expressed that due to the amount of time, money, and energy they have put into the theater, their leadership choices should go unquestioned. No amount of money or effort makes it acceptable to disregard the safety of your volunteers who are working hard to help, and often not being allowed to help as much as they are willing to (1)(2)(3).
Over the past few years, the TAC has:
- Brushed off allegations of sexual harassment (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)
- Offered alcohol to underaged persons (and allowed underaged persons to have access to alcohol) (1)(2)
- Taken safety risks during shows (1)(2)
- Insulted, ridiculed, and disrespected volunteers, from kids to adults (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)
- Made slights against minorities (1)(2)
We also want to recognize that there are some wonderful, respectable people on the Tipton Arts Council. Unfortunately, the balance of power has taken a turn so these people do not have the power to do anything to change the way the board manages the Ruffin.
This is not meant to be a personal attack on the leading members of the board. Our goal is only to objectively recognize that, based on many reports of misconduct from many different people who participated in different shows, these individuals are not the right fit for this community and it cannot continue under their leadership.
It is time for the many people who have been driven away from the Ruffin Theater with their concerns disregarded to finally have a voice.
Sign this petition with your name if you do not intend to return to the Ruffin until it is brought under new leadership.
Even
if you have not personally volunteered with us, please consider signing to join
us in making a statement that these issues are important and will no longer be
ignored.
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Updates
June 10, 2024
I am currently reviewing the messages you have shared regarding your personal experiences at the Ruffin. The consistency of these reports confirms that the current management practices are unsustainable. My efforts remain focused on compiling this information for the appropriate oversight committees.
June 10, 2024
The rapid growth of support for this cause confirms that the community expects better standards of conduct at the Ruffin Theater. This collective momentum proves that accountability is a priority for those who value the future of our local arts institutions.
13 Comments
my kids grew up on that stage and seeing how things have gone downhill is just heartbreaking. we need people in charge who actually care about the community and not just their own ego.
I would love to see new leaders at the Ruffin who can give it the best chance to flourish.
The casting of adults as romantic intrest or minors, requiring them to kiss, and the blatant disrespect for actors health and time needs to change.
As someone who was a part of this theatre all throughout high school and some of college, I am disgusted and extremely disappointed to hear how many terrible things have been allowed to happen. The theatre is supposed to be a safe place for all ages, genders, races, and more to call home and THRIVE in. & the TAC is putting that idea to shame.
Hopefully, new leadership will be able to turn things around and bring the Ruffin back to its former glory. There has been a lot of good long-term volunteers who have been pushed out the last few years. The Ruffin is a vital part of the Tipton County community and it’s a shame that other theaters in the area are doing a much more professional job on their productions than the Ruffin has these last few years.
This is a dang shame.
An arts council advances the arts in a community.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
With a heavy heart, we are initiating this petition to address the pressing issues that have gone unaddressed for many years at the Ruffin Theater under the management of the Tipton Arts Council (TAC). We are deeply saddened that the last resort for change at the theater we all love was to start such a public campaign as this.
Current board members have expressed that due to the amount of time, money, and energy they have put into the theater, their leadership choices should go unquestioned. No amount of money or effort makes it acceptable to disregard the safety of your volunteers who are working hard to help, and often not being allowed to help as much as they are willing to (1)(2)(3).
Over the past few years, the TAC has:
- Brushed off allegations of sexual harassment (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)
- Offered alcohol to underaged persons (and allowed underaged persons to have access to alcohol) (1)(2)
- Taken safety risks during shows (1)(2)
- Insulted, ridiculed, and disrespected volunteers, from kids to adults (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)
- Made slights against minorities (1)(2)
We also want to recognize that there are some wonderful, respectable people on the Tipton Arts Council. Unfortunately, the balance of power has taken a turn so these people do not have the power to do anything to change the way the board manages the Ruffin.
This is not meant to be a personal attack on the leading members of the board. Our goal is only to objectively recognize that, based on many reports of misconduct from many different people who participated in different shows, these individuals are not the right fit for this community and it cannot continue under their leadership.
It is time for the many people who have been driven away from the Ruffin Theater with their concerns disregarded to finally have a voice.
Sign this petition with your name if you do not intend to return to the Ruffin until it is brought under new leadership.
Even
if you have not personally volunteered with us, please consider signing to join
us in making a statement that these issues are important and will no longer be
ignored.
Updates
June 10, 2024
I am currently reviewing the messages you have shared regarding your personal experiences at the Ruffin. The consistency of these reports confirms that the current management practices are unsustainable. My efforts remain focused on compiling this information for the appropriate oversight committees.
June 10, 2024
The rapid growth of support for this cause confirms that the community expects better standards of conduct at the Ruffin Theater. This collective momentum proves that accountability is a priority for those who value the future of our local arts institutions.
13 Comments
too many good people pushed out. the ruffin deserves better management.
my kids grew up on that stage and seeing how things have gone downhill is just heartbreaking. we need people in charge who actually care about the community and not just their own ego.
I would love to see new leaders at the Ruffin who can give it the best chance to flourish.
The casting of adults as romantic intrest or minors, requiring them to kiss, and the blatant disrespect for actors health and time needs to change.
As someone who was a part of this theatre all throughout high school and some of college, I am disgusted and extremely disappointed to hear how many terrible things have been allowed to happen. The theatre is supposed to be a safe place for all ages, genders, races, and more to call home and THRIVE in. & the TAC is putting that idea to shame.
Hopefully, new leadership will be able to turn things around and bring the Ruffin back to its former glory. There has been a lot of good long-term volunteers who have been pushed out the last few years. The Ruffin is a vital part of the Tipton County community and it’s a shame that other theaters in the area are doing a much more professional job on their productions than the Ruffin has these last few years.
This is a dang shame.
An arts council advances the arts in a community.
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too many good people pushed out. the ruffin deserves better management.