A former intern at Writers Theatre, a well-respected 25-year-old company just outside of Chicago, has alleged on Twitter that in 2003 he experienced repeated sexual harassment from its co-founder, Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, in the context of a production.
On Nov. 2, in a thread of 16 tweets, Tom Robson, now a director and associate professor at Millikin University, describes his experiences with Halberstam, which took place during Robson’s time as the assistant director and dramaturg for Writers Theatre’s production of Crime and Punishment.
Located in Glencoe, IL, in a new facility opened in 2016, Writers Theatre holds a national reputation as one of the largest, most acclaimed regional theaters in the Chicago area.
In 2016, The Wall Street Journal declared it “Company of the Year” as well as “the best regional drama company in America.” An award-winning director and occasional actor, Halberstam has served as Writers Theatre’s artistic director since the company was founded in 1992.
When reached by email, Robson told The Clyde Fitch Report that he had no further comment on his claim. Writers Theatre has yet to release an official statement, but Cathy Taylor, a spokesperson for the organization, told the CFR on Nov. 4 that Writers Theatre’s board is taking Robson’s allegation very seriously and is doing their best to investigate it.
CFR will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. If you have any additional insights or statements regarding this story, you may reach out to us at sean@clydefitch.com.
Oh fuck it here we go. Literally never been more scared to post something in my life. (1/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
In 2003 I served as the assistant director and dramaturg for the world premiere of Crime & Punishment at Writers’ Theatre. (2/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
The director was Writers’ Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. (3/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
He spent much of that rehearsal process sexually harassing me, verbally and physically. (4/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
Through his comments he regularly made me question whether the only reason I was in the room was because of my appearance. (5/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
His hands often ended up on my leg or on my rear end. (6/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
I did not know how to respond. I was a 23 year old unpaid intern and he ran one of the most respected companies in the city. (7/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
For 14 years I have blamed myself for not stopping it. It wasn’t my fault. (8/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
I also worked with wonderful people through Writers. Bill Brown taught me to be warm, open, friendly, and respectful. (9/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
His words, “You’re not going to be that kind of assistant” when I offered to get him a coffee refill still make me get emotional. (10/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
Elizabeth Rich helped me to understand working with students and trusted me to do something I never could before: write creatively. (11/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
Shade Murray and Curt Columbus helped me to understand the industry and taught me so much. (12/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
As a teacher I owe it to my students to try to send them into a better industry than I found. (13/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
I want them to have experiences like I did with Bill, Shade, Curt, and Elizabeth. But not like with Michael. (14/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
We must all do better. And we must look out for each other. (15/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
“Tear the damn dam down. And change it.” (16/16)
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 2, 2017
Looking at a room of 25 incredibly talented young performers. Yeah this is why I said something.
— Tom Robson (@ThomasMRobson) November 4, 2017
