A potential #MeToo exposé on the nonprofit theater world is causing backstage drama.
New York’s theater pros are in a tizzy after receiving a probing survey on sexual harassment from a New York Times reporter asking for details of harassment cases over the past 20 years — which some are calling “an Inquisition.”
“I am collaborating with several of my colleagues in the Times culture section on a look at how major nonprofit arts organizations have handled sexual harassment and assault complaints,” says an email from Times theater reporter Michael Paulson, sources said.
A list of 10 questions, due back March 30, follows, including: “How many sexual harassment or assault complaints have you received over the last 20 years? When were they received, and for what forms of conduct?” and “Were any of the complaints against senior artistic or business leaders . . . or board members? If so, we are asking that you identify those individuals and disclose the nature of the accusations.”
Sources said the email was sent to top theaters, including the Public, Manhattan Theatre Club and Signature.
Says one panicked theater pro, “The Times is behaving like the Inquisition . . . Theaters are referring this to their lawyers, and the lawyers are saying we should send the same questions to New York Times human resources department.”
The survey adds: “Did you ever pay any money to anyone who complained of sexual misconduct? [What] were the circumstances [and] amounts?”
Others called the letter “sleazy” and worry their productions could be penalized if they don’t answer. Another theater source said that might be melodramatic, but “you could see that if they refuse to answer, they could look guilty by evasion.”
A Times rep said, “We don’t comment on what may or may not appear in the Times.” Before the survey went out, the theater world was apparently quaking over a rumored bombshell report that hasn’t yet materialized.