KC theater asks victims to come forward in probe of abuse claims against late director
The Coterie theater asked anyone with claims of misconduct to come forward as it carries out an independent investigation into allegations of abuse by its former producing artistic director, Jeff Church, the board of directors of the Kansas City children’s theater said Wednesday.
Church, who was 63, was found dead in his home on Saturday, just days after social media posts began surfacing that accused him of sexually assaulting young men. The cause of his death has not been released by the medical examiner’s office.
The theater asked that misconduct claims against staff or cast members be sent to coterieinvestigation@gmail.com.
It also said the show currently being performed at the theater, located in Crown Center, will go on. It ends Saturday.
“At this time, the cast of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ has decided they would like to continue to perform the remaining shows for this week,” the theater’s board said on social media.
“Our mission together compels us — even in the hardest of times — to deliver our art and continue to make a positive impact on our audiences. We thank them for their commitment and ask for grace for our Coterie community during this difficult time.”
The allegations against Church made national headlines in People magazine, Playbill and other theater publications, and British tabloids.
In Kansas City, people who knew Church, worked with him, were his neighbors in Brookside, have taken to social media to sort out conflicted feelings, while expressing support for the people who have spoken up.
There is public anger, too, that the alleged behavior went on apparently for years — and was allegedly known — without anyone stepping in to stop it.
“Jeff was an incredible mentor to me. I believe the survivors. Both things are true and that’s so hard,” Andi Kahclamat wrote on Facebook.
A Facebook post by actress Sherri Roulette-Mosley reflected the emotional conflict many people are feeling, said many of the 50-plus people who responded to her. She told how Church unexpectedly showed up at her home to give her a plant after her husband died.
“He expressed how much he loved and respected my work in past Coterie shows I was cast in. We laughed over losing count of how many. I expressed how he is one of my absolute favorite directors and I thanked him for including me in those Coterie productions over a span of 2-plus decades. We hugged.
“So I need to say this …
“I’m disturbed to have recently learned about the terrible accused actions inflicted on others from this man who I respected, and who positively made an impact in my growth and my confidence as a professional actress.
“And I am beyond sorry for those who were horribly hurt by his actions.
“And yet … in all honesty, I am very saddenright now hearing he died 2 days ago … and how his life spiraled-down to an end under hard-to-grasp circumstances.
“Am I confused? No.
“Am I conflicted? Maybe.
“I just know for sure that everything I’m feeling, can truly co-exist simultaneously. I really do hope that those who have been hurt will find a healing.”
Facebook user Jake Walker, who called Church a friend and mentor for years, wrote that he knew of two other alleged cases of assault and that after learning about them “pulled back from the friendship and from working at the Coterie. That’s when the grieving process slowly started.
“All these fond memories, supportive chats, shared moments of laughter, they were all happening amidst a decades long crime spree. Admittedly, it is still hard to process. I have these truly joyous and heartwarming memories. It makes my mouth fill with battery acid to think I have these while so many other people have nightmares.”
Actor KC Comeaux took to Facebook on Friday to accuse Church of grooming, abusing and assaulting “numerous young men over the course of 30+ years. Myself included.”
“If you, or someone you love has fallen victim to Jeff Church, I want you to know you are not alone. I, and countless others are here to support you and help healing in any way we can,” he wrote.
KKFI 90.1’s Mark Manning also went on Facebook to accuse Church of assaulting him 31 years ago when he was 27, and said he knew many others who had also been victimized.
“It’s been going on for over 30 years, “ Manning told The Star. “Most of these people were young theater artists trying to find their way through their theatrical career and a person in a very great authority position of directing them and deciding who gets paid and who gets the job (was) interfering in people’s lives”
In their statement Wednesday, Coterie officials wrote how the theater and the Kansas City arts community at large “are processing countless emotions following this terribly tragic series of events.
“For those brave souls who publicly spoke their truth: we see you. We hear you. We support you as you work to heal from unimaginable pain. We hope you are uplifted by the love and support of the arts community that surrounds you.
“To our Coterie staff, volunteers, artists, and patrons, we thank you for your endless dedication to our craft, and for leaning into what is beautiful about the arts: its ability to bring people together for experiences that can inspire, educate, enlighten, and at times, offer their own source of healing.”
The theater said it is reviewing its policies and procedures and remains “unequivocally and passionately committed to a safe and healthy, supportive working environment.”
After the allegations appeared on social media, The Pitch was the first media organization to publish them, on Friday, reporting that more than a dozen people had come forward with allegations about Church.
Includes reporting by The Star’s Kynala Phillips.
This story was originally published December 28, 2022 at 5:42 PM.
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