To: Dawson College
Dean of Creative and Applied Arts
Andréa Cole
Without Prejudice
Dear Andréa Cole,
My name is Emma Tibaldo, I am the Artistic and Executive Director of Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal (PWM), a performance creation centre, dedicated to the development of new work for the stage. I am sending this letter on behalf of myself, the staff and the Board of Directors of PWM. As an organization that strives to offer a safe space for artists to explore their stories and delve deep into their imaginations, it is difficult to read statements of how a Dawson Professor has used the art form to exploit and damage young artists, especially trusting young women.
I believe we are finally arriving at a place and time when the cycle of abuse can be halted. A collective time of socio-psychological change where we recognize manipulative behaviour as dangerous. Learning Institutions and Professional Theatre Companies should be places of growth and self discovery, not fear, shame, and hurt. How did we get here? I ask myself that question every day. It is devastating that women must reveal painful, personal details publicly in order for change to happen.
I understand that there are 20+ survivors who have come forward over the years with harrowing stories of the truly repulsive indignities and abuses that they were forced to endure under your colleague, and that their allegations are supported by evidence from the perpetrator’s own email account. Many of these survivors are members of our theatre community and PWM wishes to see justice served on their behalf.
I, as AED of PWM, demand to know how you, as the Dean of Applied and Creative Arts, as well as Director General, Mr. Richard Filion intend to address these accusations. How do we ensure that pedagogy is not used to perpetrate abusive behaviour on unsuspecting students? When there is an incredible imbalance in power dynamics, how do we ensure that concerns are heard, believed and properly investigated? And just as crucial, how do we ensure that action be taken and the women coming forward be supported?
On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors of PWM, we request a transparent and decisive response from Dawson College regarding this situation. PWM stands with the survivors.
Sincerely,
PWM Staff
Lesley Bramhill, General Manager
Marc Duez, Communications Manager
Heather Eaton, Artistic and Administrative Associate
Fatma Sarah Elkashef, Staff Dramaturg and Director of Interdisciplinary Writer’s Lab
Danielle Eyer, Data & Archival Associate
Harris Frost, Professional Development & Training Coordinator
Jesse Stong, Dramaturg and Director of Young Creators Unit and New Stories Project
Emma Tibaldo, Dramaturg, Artistic and Executive Director
Board of Directors
Chris Gobeil, President
Naima Kristel Phillips, Vice-President
Tiffanie Guffroy, Vice-President
Caroline Lin, Treasurer
Jason Lavoie Poirier, Secretary
Caroline Bélair, Director
Nahka Bertrand, Director
Corrina Hodgson, Director
Irena Malyholowka, Director
Amir Sàm Nakhjavani, Director
Elisabet Ràfols-Sagués, Director
