A tragic exodus?

Updated Wednesday, July 22: Dillner must go

News from the Skylight continues to break daily, the most recent flurry of events revolving around resignations and firings. TCD has acquired a definitive list-to-date of staff resignations from Marketing Director Kristin Godfrey, who is also planning a press release for later today. This list includes not only names, but titles and the productions on which each was slated to work during the 2009-10 season.

Godfrey states that “vast majority” of staff and cast “are staying with the company.” TCD and its readers look forward to further clarification.

Bill Theisen – director of The Barber of Seville, Plaid Tidings, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Long and Short of It

Richard Carsey – music director of A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine

Pam Kriger – music director of A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine

Van Santvoord – set design of The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro

Leslie Fitzwater – doing a free cabaret after a show

James Valcq – doing a free cabaret after a show

Jennifer Clark – playing Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro

Alicia Berneche – playing Susanah in The Marriage of Figaro

Ray Jivoff – playing Harpo in A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine

UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 – A slew of late Tuesday night resignations, including the influential Cabots, nationally renowed scenic designer Rick Rasmussen, beloved Milwaukee performers Jennifer Clark and Kurt Ollman, and even the “den moms” who brought everyone food during grueling Skylight tech weeks.

Molly Rhode – actor, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine

Chase Stoeger – actor, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine

Diane Lane – playing Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro

Jennifer Clark – actor, The Marriage of Figaro

Tommy Lueck – member, Skylight Education Advisory Board

Carol Greif Schuele – actor, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine

Nathan Wesselowski – playing Fiorello in The Barber of Seville

Colin and Paula Cabot – longtime Skylight performers and supporters

Rick Rasmussen – Set and costume designer

Kurt Ollman – playing The Count in The Barber of Seville

Carol and Amy Jensen – Skylight donors, supporters, and “den mothers”

Add Jon Stewart, Bryce Lord, Jamie Johns, Diana Aliota, Becky Spice, Robert Beal and two other staffers and board members to the list of the departing as well. Check Tony Clements’ Tuesdays blog for a stream of Charlie Sykes’ coverage of the topic, the latest NY Times mention and more. Tom Strini is also providing robust coverage on his blog on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel site.

For our part, we want to go on the record as saying that, despite the current tumult, it is our sincerest hope that this family can be brought back to together in time. To lose the Skylight Opera Theatre would be a great blow to Milwaukee on a number of levels, some of which can’t be measured until and unless the unthinkable comes to pass.