Rapid Fire Theatre Will No Longer Work with Former Artistic Director Due to Sexual Harassment

According to CBC News, Rapid Fire Theatre, an improv group local to Edmonton, has announced their intentions to part ways with former Artistic Director Chris Craddock after he publicly admitted to engaging in harassment and violating the company's policy.

In a statement released on Facebook, the theatre company said:

This week so many people around the world have engaged in a large conversation of sexual harassment and abuse; much of that conversation focusing on issues of sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry. The improv industry has its fair share of predators and we know that at times in Rapid Fire Theatre's 37-year history we have featured some of those individuals in our performing ensemble. Enough is enough.

In recent years RFT has developed policy to protect all artists participating in our programming and to foster creative environments where they are safe. We strive to uphold these values.

We will not support the work of identified predators. This includes the work of former Artistic Director (2004-2008) Chris Craddock who has publicly admitted to unacceptable behaviour in violation of our own harassment policy.

A key pillar of improv is listening. We are listening.

Craddock served as Artistic Director of Rapid Fire from 2004-2008, but he has continued to work alongside the troupe as producer, playwright, actor, and director. Rapid Fire's announcement comes on the heels of the reveal of Harvey Weinstein's history of sexual harassment. Rapid Fire joins numerous organizations around the world vowing to make a change.

For more from CBC, click here.

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