The Board of Malibu Stage Company had no intention of publicly airing the matter of Mr. Marowitz’s dismissal. In the interest of informing our patrons, supporters, and the public at large, we are compelled to respond to the misrepresentations and accusations in Mr. Marowitz’s letter to the editor in your November 14 edition.
Mr. Marowitz is not a board member. He agreed to be removed from the board several years ago after it was pointed out to him that a conflict existed if he intended on collecting fees or pay from Malibu Stage Company. Mr. Marowitz has continually exhibited a history of attempting to position himself to run the theater to his wishes by reneging on agreements, shifting blame, and through bullying, intimidation, manipulation, and misrepresentations to those involved with MSC.
The board came to its conclusion to sever the relationship with Mr. Marowitz on November 6th, before his mention of alleged “infractions” by board member Jackie Bridgeman, not in response to it, as his letter outlines. Mr. Marowitz was informed of the board decision on November 8th, after the board meeting had taken place. The fact remains that Jackie Bridgeman is not employed by Malibu Stage Company, and is a volunteer who has unselfishly given of her time, financial support and energy to Malibu Stage Company. In fact, it is well known that Mr. Marowitz has threatened Jackie Bridgeman and has been verbally abusive to her during this past season, indicating more of the personal nature of Mr. Marowitz’s attacks and attempts to negatively characterize a board member.
Part of the reasons and rationale that Mr. Marowitz was dismissed is further evidenced by his verbal threat to throw a table at me during our meeting of November 8th, when he was asked for his resignation. This conduct, and history of it, speaks for itself. This was not the first time Mr. Marowitz has threatened a board member, but we certainly intend it to be the last.
Geoffrey Ortiz