Lee Trull has been terminated from his position as director of new play development at Dallas Theater Center after the regional theatre investigated complaints of “inappropriate behavior.”
“Dallas Theater Center is committed to providing the type of environment necessary for the creative process to flourish,” reads a statement from the Tony-winning company. “Anyone who contributes to an unsafe, unwelcome, or inequitable environment not only violates DTC’s policies, but also undermines DTC’s fundamental goal of creating the highest quality theatrical art that deeply engages our community.”
A spokesperson for DTC declined to comment further on the nature of the received complaints, though a report in the Texas-based TheaterJones details allegations from multiple women containing accounts of sexual misconduct and harassment. Trull’s termination is among the latest steps arts organizations around the country have found themselves taking as individuals come forward, revealing a deep-seated and rarely fully addressed issue in the industry.
Additionally, Dallas’ Second Thought Theatre has rescinded its offer to Trull to direct their regional premiere of Lucas Hnath’s Hillary and Clinton early next year. The organization released a similar statement to DTC, nothing that they will revisit their harassment policy to ensure the safety and comfort of its staff and artists.
