CLEVELAND — More than a month after the production of "I'm Back Now" was canceled at Cleveland Play House (CPH) following a cast member reporting that she was sexually assaulted, CPH has announced a series of new initiatives focusing on health and safety.
The controversy began on January 24, when Cleveland Play House first announced the cancellation of "I'm Back Now: Returning to Cleveland" from playwright Charly Evon Simpson. "Sadly, a series of events impacted the community of artists involved with the production and resulted in this difficult outcome," CPH said in a release and on its social media platforms. "We hope this remarkable play will be produced in the future."
On February 8, Simpson and director Stori Ayers released several statements on social media explaining why the production was pulled by them, as opposed to being canceled by CPH.
"During a Saturday rehearsal, I noticed that one of the actresses was struggling to take deep breaths and her speech was labored," Ayres wrote. "I immediately checked on their well-being in private and learned that on Thursday evening the actress had been sexually assaulted in the artists' housing, Reserve Square Apartments. They immediately reported the sexual assault but Cleveland Play House neglected to act appropriately."
Ayers noted that Cleveland Play House responded by requiring the actress to continue to work, as well as continue to live at Reserve Square. She added that CPH "failed to notify the artists of the dangers at Reserve Square Apartments and take ownership of leadership of relocation of artists until forced to do so by the Actors Equity Association (AEA)." Ayers was also frustrated that CPH withheld information about the incident from her, leaving her "incapable of fostering and creating a safe environment for all of the artists in the room."
Two days later, Cleveland Play House addressed the charges by Simpson and Ayers in a letter, acknowledging "there were missteps in efforts to respond" to the sexual assault.
"After learning about this incident, CPH offered support, asking what the actor needed and whether the actor felt safe at the apartment complex. CPH offered to assist the actor in filing a police report, but the actor declined. CPH provided contact information for an employee assistance program. What CPH did not do, and should also have done, was to (1) immediately notify the director of the show, who was independently contracted by CPH, and (2) immediately move the victim to different housing," the company wrote.
On March 6, CPH posted the below letter on social media and its website:
"Our missteps caused the entire company of artists working on I’m Back Now: Returning to Cleveland to feel disheartened and unsafe, including playwright Charly Evon Simpson, director Stori Ayers, the creative design team and the company of actors. To all, we say we are sorry, but we know that we must show, not just talk about, how we are determined to do better," CPH wrote.
Among the changes CPH will be making include:
- Contracting new apartments on Euclid Avenue. "This newer, smaller and more secure building will serve as the Cleveland home for all CPH out-of-town guest artists going forward."
- All employees will be completing sexual harassment training or retraining this season.
- Establishing a Collaborative Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access (CEDIA) committee, consisting of board and staff members.
- Providing full compensation to all artists involved with the canceled production of I’m Back Now: Returning to Cleveland. "We want to make sure that they receive the salaries or fees they would have earned if the production had gone forward, and we intend to make those payments as quickly as possible."
