Eckern Resigns from CMT

It's official. California Music Theatre associate director Scott Eckern has resigned after news that he donated $1,000 to a pro-Prop 8 cause spread 'round the web like proverbial wildfire.

Read his statement after the jump.

"I am leaving California Musical Theatre after prayerful consideration to protect the organization and to help the healing in the local theatre-going and creative community. California Musical Theatre will continue to welcome with open arms all staff, artists and audiences who collaborate in the experience that live theatre does best – to lift the human spirit. I will continue to be in the audience to cheer on all the good work. It has been an honor to serve alongside those I love and respect in this noble profession. I am disappointed that my personal convictions have cost me the opportunity to do what I love the most which is to continue enriching the Sacramento arts and theatre community."

Eckern also mentioned that his sister is a lesbian and said of her, "I am loving and supportive of her and her family, and she is loving and supportive of me and my family. I definitely do not support any message or treatment of others that is hateful or instills fear. This is a highly emotional issue and the accusations that have been made against me are simply not true. I have now had many conversations with friends and colleagues, and I am deeply saddened that my personal beliefs and convictions have offended others. My choice to support the Proposition was personal, and does not represent the views and opinions of California Musical Theatre or the many people associated with the organization. I was required by law to identify my employer and occupation at the time of my donation."  

The now-former AD really had no choice. As I blogged previously, a boycott of the theatre would primarily harm its hard-working actors and staff. Personally, I wish Mr. Eckern well and hope he continues to work in arts community in some capacity. Although I don't agree with his politics and I don't know him personally, but he seems like a stand-up guy who made a foolish decision.

--Lauren Horwitch

Comments

[Nick]

I know that a lot of great people were influenced into the prop 8 campaign because they were told that it had to do with free speech, and keeping gay people from attacking your kids at school and making them gay... haha sounds so ridiculous because it is... but a lot of straight people bought into the hoopla, and I think they forgot that they already have freedom of speech, and that Taking away civil rights from someone, has nothing to do with free speech, and that these scare tactics pushed straight parents into a corner, making it seem like there was some ultimatum, Vote yes on 8 or your kids will be gay. It is just sad that The majority of the people got swayed by it. On another note, I don't like when people who voted yes on prop 8 say because of my convictions, because it just makes them sound even more ignorant, and I am failing to realize still how non-objective yes on 8 voters were and are, They weren't able to look at the situation from outside the government involvement, and the ads, and the fact that they were being manipulated. Why is it that they feel so strongly about marriage that they will fight for it, and stand in the rain with signs for it, and spend millions of dollars on campaigning to supposedly protect it, yet they can't be empathetic to another human being who wants the same. That Yes on 8 campaign was really smart, making it seem like Gay people don't want to get married because they love one another but because they are trying to manipulate the country... Very clever indeed. Yet it sounds so stupid... Sorry... I am rambling, because I am still confused...