clark quits: "i am physically sickened"

milwaukee's jennifer clark, a longtime skylight favorite, has withdrawn from the skylight opera theatre's production of the marriage of figaro. clark is the 14th artist in less than 36 hours to refuse to work for the skylight under the current leadership:

Dear Eric,

I am writing to let you know I decline Skylight Opera's invitation and my contract to play the role of Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro this upcoming season.

It has everything to do with Bill's firing and the shoddy way it was handled, Bill's decision NOT to direct this particular show and the current direction you and the board are taking with the Skylight by abolishing the job position of Artistic Director.

In good conscience I cannot work for an organization whose management ethics and integrity have fallen away so far from anything I recognize as the company I know and love. I had always been proud to be one of the Skylight "regulars," but not anymore.

It saddens me deeply and I am physically sickened by the downward spiral of events this past month.

I have more I would like to share with you and the board, however, at present I find I am not at all calm enough to articulate my thoughts.

A more formal letter will be forthcoming.

Jennifer Clark