In as much as I’m not running for public office, nor am I looking for a career advancement in the arts, it hardly matters to me how I am depicted in The Malibu Times. However, I do believe in justice. So here is what lies behind your excellent reporter’s front-page story with the headline: “Malibu Stage Co-founder Ousted.”
To begin with, I was against any repertory company that did not have solid theater credentials. The head of Zuma Rep, Rick Johnson, has an extensive background in carpentry-an occupation I greatly admire. This group was elected into “being” without the president or the artistic director, Oren Safdie, present. Almost at once Zuma Rep assumed an adversarial stance. They harbored illusions that I was thwarting their projects.
Conflicts between the board of director chairman, Geoff Ortiz, an advocate of Zuma Rep, Rick Johnson and myself reached epic proportions. In protest I was compelled to resign.
As a result of tentative departure, three more Zuma Rep officers were elected to MSC’s board. I was summarily voted off. MSC was now represented by four Zuma Rep officers and supporters. Alarmed by what I saw happening, I rescinded my emotional resignation.
I met with this newly constructed board and strongly suggested that Zuma Rep remain autonomous, with their own affiliations and bank account. Further, I pointed out that it was a conflict of interests and inefficient management to have Zuma Rep members on the board of MSC. I asked that these people be removed. All of these requests were denied.
Thus, after 18 volunteer years of fundraising, the production of professional plays (and the infusion of my own capital), MSC provided an elegant space, with all the technical equipment necessary to produce professional theater, Zuma Rep, it now seems, has hi-jacked that space for their own use. I am left with no other recourse but to officially resign.
I remain proud of Malibu Stage Company’s accomplishments. Cofounder Charles Marowitz premiered two now-published plays, Oren Safdie’s three plays originated on our stage and transferred to off-Broadway productions with great critical success. It is with the deepest appreciation that I thank the following actors who have performed on our stage: Martin Sheen, Lynn Redgrave, Rachel Kempson, Kathleen Quinlan, Katherine Ross, Daniel J. Travanti, Ed Asner, Harry Hamlin, Steve Allen, Rene Auberjonois, Harold Gould, Trish Van Der Vere, George C. Scott, Rod Steiger, Daniel MacDonald, Leo Penn, Stacey Keach, Jane Romney, Genevieve Bujold, David Warner, Nan Martin, Allan Mandel, J.D Cullum, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Altman, Shelley Berman and Matt Salinger.
Jacqueline Bridgeman
Past President of Malibu Stage Company