Acclaimed writer accuses Soulpepper leaders of bullying

TORONTO — Acclaimed writer Ann-Marie MacDonald says leaders at the Soulpepper Theatre Company “bullied and harassed” her after she raised concerns about a fundraiser that auctioned dinners with a cast of actresses.

Without their knowledge, the women who starred in “Top Girls,” were “sold” to the highest bidder by Soulpepper organizers under the guise they were willing participants, MacDonald alleged in an interview Friday.

It led the author and former host of CBC’s “Doc Zone” series to raise the issue first with the theatre company and then with her union.

“I was outraged, personally, and on behalf of my colleagues,” she said while recounting the incident, which happened nearly a decade ago.

“To my mind, not only was it an egregious infraction of (union) rules, it was unbelievably disrespectful, arrogant and presumptuous.”

MacDonald said she decided to come forward after hearing about the sexual assault and harassment allegations levelled against Soulpepper founding artistic director Albert Schultz earlier this week.

MacDonald was among the women starring in Soulpepper’s 2008 version of “Top Girls.”

The all-female cast included an array of other Canadian actresses, including Megan Follows, Diana Donnelly and Robyn Stevan, a founding member of Soulpepper.

MacDonald was the production’s equity deputy, responsible for raising workplace issues that arose among union members.

She said the cast had “a strong wish” to skip the dinners, although the actresses were concerned about repercussions.

Soulpepper leaders also discouraged her from contacting board members and supporters who purchased the dinners, she said, adding that she was “laughed off ” by a board member when she raised her concerns.

Soulpepper did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

Soulpepper ultimately issued an apology to the cast, MacDonald said, although the dinners went ahead as planned without her attendance. Schultz resigned Thursday in the wake of four lawsuits filed by actresses against him and Soulpepper alleging sexually harassment.

None of their allegations have been tested in court and neither Schultz nor Soulpepper have filed a statement of defence. Schultz said he will “vigorously defend” himself against the allegations.