Theatre Board Member Accused of Sexual Misconduct; Allegations of Cover-Up & Retaliation Surface

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

A Baton Rouge theatre artist has come forward with allegations against a board member of Theatre Baton Rouge (TBR), claiming that she touched him in a sexual and inappropriate way during a performance at the Louisiana local theatre. He also claimed that the theatre’s President and Vice President retaliated against individuals who reported the incident and attempted to cover up the incident by withholding information from the theatre’s full board of governors.

In a Facebook post, William Dellinger, alleges that Kristy Coast, at the time a member of the TBR Board of Governors, engaged in inappropriate conduct with him during a performance of Tony & Tina’s Wedding last September. Coast was a co-director of the production. According to Dellinger, Coast pressed herself up against him and when told he did not want contact with her, she told him to “enjoy it.” Dellinger stated that Coast was heavily intoxicated.

Dellinger would later file a complaint with the theatre’s executive director, Dr. Sarah Klocke. It would during this time that Dellinger was told he would be hired as Scenic Designer for their upcoming production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which Klocke would be directing. Dr. Klocke, who had just been appointed to the position last Oct, told him that she would notify leadership, President Beth Bordelon, and Vice President of Production Adrienne Thornton.

In the weeks that followed, Dellinger stated that not only were his allegations not being taken seriously, but that Thornton would not be recusing herself from the investigation despite her close friendship with Coast. After confirmation of the allegations by witnesses, rather than remove Coast, Bordelon and Thornton apparently allowed her to quietly resign but remain on their board of advisors.

The whole situation was elevated when Dellinger found out that Bordelon and Thornton rejected his contract to design for the show and that Dr. Klocke had been removed as director. To make matters worse, according to Dellinger, the rest of the theatre’s board was never made aware of the allegations against Coast.

“Board President Beth Bordelon and Vice President of Production Adrienne Thornton attempted to cover this up by keeping knowledge of the incident from the rest of the board and the wider volunteer community, then retaliated against those who tried to hold them accountable for their actions,” Dellinger said.

He is calling for both Bordelon and Thronton to be removed from their positions at the theatre.

There has been no statement from theatre officials at this time, but under their website’s listed core values, they state, “Respect for people is fundamental in all we do. Whether it be ideas, beliefs, abilities or background, we hold all to a high standard of respect and dignity.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.