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.