The Civic Theater does not exist to create revenue as an event space for the board. It exists to promote the theater arts and arts education in the community. To that end, Greg Miller is and has been an integral part of the community, training countless future professionals in theater from young ages who have gone on to distinguish both themselves and the City of Rochester that once provided the environment in which that sort of artistic potential was once valued. Shame on the Board for this decision.
T
Theo St Mane
9 years ago
As a nonprofit organization RCT's board should adhere to principles of transparency and inclusiveness that are common among reputable nonprofits.
A
Amanda Harrod
9 years ago
Petitioning for members to be able to vote again - the written petition itself implied, but didn't actually state that that's what we want to see happen. It would be phenomenal if Greg could be reinstated, as well.
P
Pat Gentz
9 years ago
Transparency, accountability, and the ability to VOTE!
M
Malory N
9 years ago
Supporting family and friends who have given endless time, money and plenty of great talent to provide this service to our community.
J
Jennifer Bestgen
9 years ago
It saddens me to read this. Every member should have a right to vote.
B
Bria Carr
9 years ago
This is an outrage #IStandWithGreg
M
Matthew Voigt
9 years ago
I too feel that the members should have the right to vote. I too request more transparency, accountability and an opportunity for our voices to be heard.
R
Robert Ruble
9 years ago
A very sad day when politics cause this situation. Bullying shouldn't rule the day.
C
Christopher Riederer
9 years ago
I fully support this petition; Greg and RCT had a really positive impact on my childhood, and I want others to be able to experience that. It seems like the recent changes at RCT are going to have a negative effect on its future.
One thought here though: I would urge the petition organizers to focus on a few concrete, possible changes that could happen. Perhaps you could add these in the petition. On reading the petition now I'm not sure what it's asking for beyond expressing the well-deserved frustration with RCT's current state. Here are some ideas for what we could ask for (just thoughts here!):
- Return voting rights to all members
- Reinstate the Artistic Director position
- Reinstate Greg
- Add a permanent "volunteer liaison" position to the board, elected by volunteers.
- Etc.
With all these signatures, we clearly have some organizational power here. It'd be great to hear a clear message of how we're going to use that power to right the course of RCT.
H
Hanna Medin
9 years ago
I have been frequent attendee to many RCT performances, and am very disappointed to hear about these changes. RCT may lose a loyal customer.
R
Rick Dahl
9 years ago
Having acted in or directed more than 40 plays with various theaters in Rochester and also on a semi-professional level in Cleveland, there is no one I know who would not wish to work with Greg Miller. He is such an ingenious, fun and talented man. My wife and I have had the good fortune to have been directed by him and the experience was exceedingly enjoyable and unforgettable.
In my opinion, those who are controlling RCT are making a short-sighted and grievous mistake with this decision. Drama should remain on the stage and not among the Board. It's ironic that this newly-appointed Board (5 new members last week, according to the Post-Bulletin) has created such a tragedy through their ignorance.
I'm certain that Greg would be welcomed and find great success working for competing theaters, providing that RCT hasn't forbade that in his severance package.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
Very bad idea and very unfair has done a great job, bring him back or we will not come back
M
Mary Wellner
9 years ago
Shameful!
L
Laura
9 years ago
I am a four-time volunteer and was a featured actress in some of RCTs most popular and successful musicals. I will no longer support this theater because it is governed by individuals who value so little the people and ideals that elevated RCT to where it stood within our community (until this embarassing display of short-sightedness by the Board, that is). The Board had options for helping RCT move forward during a difficult time and chose the wrong one. While I believe "mistake" is far too forgiving of a word to describe this Board action, it is certainly a glaringly obvious mistake that could have been avoided by a board that operates creatively, ethically, and transparently in collaboration with the community it serves.
R
Rachel Froud
9 years ago
25 years of service and this is the way you fire him? Not acceptable. An apology and atonement needs to be made or my support is gone.
G
Greg Fuchs
9 years ago
NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
D
Deb Franzen
9 years ago
I stopped volunteering at RCT many years ago because I didn't like the direction things were going. I'm sorry to see things have gone from bad to worse.
N
Nathan Salo Tumberg
9 years ago
While I haven't volunteered, I recognize what the Civic Theatre brings to Rochester, and how important its been to friends and family that have volunteered. I cannot support the actions of this board, and do not believe I will be going to see any more shows at the theater.
T
Tim Chappell
9 years ago
The theatre is not a business machine. It's an exspression of the community. "Of the people, by the people, for the people". Let the members vote, have a voice, and let the Civic Theatre be a theatre and not another item controlled by greed.
The Civic Theater does not exist to create revenue as an event space for the board. It exists to promote the theater arts and arts education in the community. To that end, Greg Miller is and has been an integral part of the community, training countless future professionals in theater from young ages who have gone on to distinguish both themselves and the City of Rochester that once provided the environment in which that sort of artistic potential was once valued. Shame on the Board for this decision.
As a nonprofit organization RCT's board should adhere to principles of transparency and inclusiveness that are common among reputable nonprofits.
Petitioning for members to be able to vote again - the written petition itself implied, but didn't actually state that that's what we want to see happen. It would be phenomenal if Greg could be reinstated, as well.
Transparency, accountability, and the ability to VOTE!
Supporting family and friends who have given endless time, money and plenty of great talent to provide this service to our community.
It saddens me to read this. Every member should have a right to vote.
This is an outrage #IStandWithGreg
I too feel that the members should have the right to vote. I too request more transparency, accountability and an opportunity for our voices to be heard.
A very sad day when politics cause this situation. Bullying shouldn't rule the day.
I fully support this petition; Greg and RCT had a really positive impact on my childhood, and I want others to be able to experience that. It seems like the recent changes at RCT are going to have a negative effect on its future. One thought here though: I would urge the petition organizers to focus on a few concrete, possible changes that could happen. Perhaps you could add these in the petition. On reading the petition now I'm not sure what it's asking for beyond expressing the well-deserved frustration with RCT's current state. Here are some ideas for what we could ask for (just thoughts here!): - Return voting rights to all members - Reinstate the Artistic Director position - Reinstate Greg - Add a permanent "volunteer liaison" position to the board, elected by volunteers. - Etc. With all these signatures, we clearly have some organizational power here. It'd be great to hear a clear message of how we're going to use that power to right the course of RCT.
I have been frequent attendee to many RCT performances, and am very disappointed to hear about these changes. RCT may lose a loyal customer.
Having acted in or directed more than 40 plays with various theaters in Rochester and also on a semi-professional level in Cleveland, there is no one I know who would not wish to work with Greg Miller. He is such an ingenious, fun and talented man. My wife and I have had the good fortune to have been directed by him and the experience was exceedingly enjoyable and unforgettable. In my opinion, those who are controlling RCT are making a short-sighted and grievous mistake with this decision. Drama should remain on the stage and not among the Board. It's ironic that this newly-appointed Board (5 new members last week, according to the Post-Bulletin) has created such a tragedy through their ignorance. I'm certain that Greg would be welcomed and find great success working for competing theaters, providing that RCT hasn't forbade that in his severance package.
Very bad idea and very unfair has done a great job, bring him back or we will not come back
Shameful!
I am a four-time volunteer and was a featured actress in some of RCTs most popular and successful musicals. I will no longer support this theater because it is governed by individuals who value so little the people and ideals that elevated RCT to where it stood within our community (until this embarassing display of short-sightedness by the Board, that is). The Board had options for helping RCT move forward during a difficult time and chose the wrong one. While I believe "mistake" is far too forgiving of a word to describe this Board action, it is certainly a glaringly obvious mistake that could have been avoided by a board that operates creatively, ethically, and transparently in collaboration with the community it serves.
25 years of service and this is the way you fire him? Not acceptable. An apology and atonement needs to be made or my support is gone.
NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
I stopped volunteering at RCT many years ago because I didn't like the direction things were going. I'm sorry to see things have gone from bad to worse.
While I haven't volunteered, I recognize what the Civic Theatre brings to Rochester, and how important its been to friends and family that have volunteered. I cannot support the actions of this board, and do not believe I will be going to see any more shows at the theater.
The theatre is not a business machine. It's an exspression of the community. "Of the people, by the people, for the people". Let the members vote, have a voice, and let the Civic Theatre be a theatre and not another item controlled by greed.