Why I Am Boycotting Factory Theatre by Andrew Moodie (playwright/actor/director)

Why I am Boycotting Factory Theatre

The current Board fired Ken because his plans for the theatre were ambitious. That's not the reason to fire an Artistic Director.
by Andrew Moodie (playwright/actor/director) 


I've been asked to write about why I've joined the boycott against the Factory Theatre Board. I'll start with the reasons why I'm not boycotting the Factory theatre board. 1) I'm not boycotting to hurt artists. I encourage everyone to go to a SummerWorks show at the Factory. And I am hoping this will be resolved before the season starts so that actors and playwrights can get paid the pittance they need to live. 2) I'm not boycotting the Factory because Ken gave me a job, or Ken has promised me work. He is a friend, but I'm friends with many people, and that in itself is not enough for me to boycott the Factory. Nor has Ken asked me to. He hasn't asked for anything, and if you know anything about me, you'd know that I don't do things like this just because someone asks. 

The reasons why I am boycotting the Factory: 

1) I was on the Board of Directors before Ken returned, and with all due respect to every member of that Board, the Factory was going to die under its direction. Every member of that Board was a good person, who meant the best, but every member thought that the best thing to do was to shut the Factory Theatre down; there was no hope. I tried to argue against that premise, but I didn't try too hard, because I knew I couldn't convince anyone. I was at the meeting when Ken proposed to take the theatre over and keep it alive, and it was interesting, he had so much passion, and vigour, and drive, he had little idea that the Board had given up. When Ken took over, it became clear that what the Factory needed was someone with a vision. Someone who saw a bigger picture, and was going to dedicate themselves to bring that vision to life.

And that's what Ken did. He invested his own money, a lot of it. He worked as Artistic Director, WITHOUT PAY. He brought the theatre back to life artistically. He was able to bring the theatre to a state of financial stability where they could buy the building. I'm not mentioning this because I want you to think he's a good guy, or a saint. I'm mentioning this because it is proof that he has competence. He did what our Board was unable to do. Every theatre needs someone with passion and vision and competence. The current Board fired Ken because his plans for the theatre were ambitious. That's not the reason to fire an Artistic Director. Where would Soulpepper be if that were the case? Or Tarragon? Or so many theatres? 

2) Many months ago, Ken approached me about talking to the Factory Board. He had applied for money to build an elevator for disabled access, and improvements to the studio and the Factory Board wanted to use that money to build a lobby instead. I had helped Ken apply for this money. I had written a letter detailing how important, how amazing it will be to have full access for disabled people to not only see shows, but perform in them as well. Ken told me that he'd been trying to convince the Board to at least go to some form of arbitration, and he asked if I could talk to them, and try and convince them. I told him, call me, and I'm there. I never got the chance. It may not be illegal to take money from the government for the disabled, and use it to build a lobby, but it, in my opinion, is immoral. It's just wrong. I'm not going to go into my usual rant about creating a theatre that is open to all, no matter what colour, gender, or ability. To take that money, and use it for something else should be illegal. And in my opinion, the government should step in and say something.


3) The renovation plan created by Ken was well thought out, meticulously planned, and for the Board to throw it away, and opt instead for another plan to expand the lobby is worrisome. Expanding the lobby may cost less than building disabled access, but in the Board plans, it will eliminate the shop. For those of you not in theatre, the shop is where the sets are built. Without a shop, every show you produce is now much more expensive, because you have to build your set somewhere else. What the Board thinks will save them money, will actually end up costing the theatre much more money in the long run, and could bankrupt the theatre. This is… unwise. 

To sum up, I'm not boycotting the theatre because of some personal vendetta against the Board. When I've had the chance to meet with them, they've seemed like decent people. I'm boycotting because 1) You don't fire an Artistic Director because of an ambitious vision. 2) You don't take money intended for creating access for disabled people and use it for another purpose. 3) The changes the Board would like to make to the theatre will end up costing more money in the long run, and could destroy the theatre.

That in a nutshell is why I'm boycotting the Factory Theatre. I really hope that the Board comes to its senses and at least begins a discussion with Ken. Creating theatre is a collaborative effort. And it will be great when this ends and Ken is back and the money raised for the Factory is used for its proper purpose, and everyone can go back to making theatre.


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