We are writing to you today from a myriad of backgrounds in theatre. We have worked in Chicago theatres from one year to forty years. We are Stage Managers, Artistic Directors, Lighting Designers, Stage Crew, Set Designers, Sound Designers, Actors, Playwrights, Educators, Box Office, Marketing, Casting, Audience Members, Artistic Associates, and Producers. We will no longer tolerate the violations that have been exposed in the Reader article entitled At Profiles Theatre the Drama and Abuse is Real, dated June 9, 2016.

We as members of the Chicago Theatre Community are outraged and deeply saddened that the behavior and practices highlighted in this article have been hidden in the shadows for the past 25 years. Profiles Theatre has polluted this community. The very principles that we as artists hold dear have been violated, and we demand an immediate response to the Reader article from the Board of Directors of Profiles Theatre.

The Reader article exposes how Profiles theatre has conducted business, including very serious reports regarding Artistic Director and Ensemble Member Darrell Cox. According to the article, Cox has for years conducted himself in a manner that is not only unprofessional but abusive. This conduct has affected men and women, students, actors and theatre artists. We believe that Profiles Theatre is culpable, creating a hostile working environment by allowing Darrell Cox to operate without appropriate controls.

We are writing to demand that Profiles Theatre end its relationship with both founder and Artistic Director Joe Jahraus and with Artistic Director and Profiles Ensemble Member Darrell Cox. A great deal of damage has been done to a number of vulnerable and trusting people in our community, and there should be consequences, at long last, for what they have done under the aegis of Profiles Theatre.