Prop. 8 donor Scott Eckern explains his resignation from California Musical Theatre

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Here is an excerpt from a statement from Scott Eckern, e-mailed to Culture Monster by Randle Communications, a Sacramento public relations firm. Clay Merrill, a media relations manager at Randle, said the firm was sending the statement on Eckern’s behalf, although not officially representing him.

‘I am leaving California Musical Theatre after prayerful consideration to protect the organization and to help the healing in the local theatre-going and creative community. California Musical Theatre will continue to welcome with open arms all staff, artists and audiences who collaborate in the experience that live theatre does best –- to lift the human spirit. I will continue to be in the audience to cheer on all the good work. It has been an honor to serve alongside those I love and respect in this noble profession. I am disappointed that my personal convictions have cost me the opportunity to do what I love the most which is to continue enriching the Sacramento arts and theatre community.”

In announcing Eckern’s resignation today, the nonprofit theater company reiterated that Eckern’s support for Prop. 8 was independent of his job at CMT, where he had been promoted to artistic director in 2003. “At no time does [CMT] involve itself in political issues or ever impinge on the rights of its employees to engage in political activities of their choice,” the theater’s statement said.

-- Mike Boehm