Eau Claire Children's Theatre — Attraction in Eau Claire

I would not recommend this facility. This Nonprofit currently does not run background checks on adult volunteers/performers which in my opinion is a risk to the safety of children. When our family brought an important situation to the attention of the director and requested a meeting with the board, it was refused. Instead we were allowed to meet with the director and a former board member.

We felt they were insensitive to the information we shared. We offered to help raise funds for background checks in hope of a code of conduct taking place.

As a result of the meeting, we found they were not interested in running background checks and literally word for word told our child if our child felt unsafe at the theatre, our child should leave.

It was a fun experience for our children until they/we didn't feel protected by the leadership team any longer.

I do not consider the director or the board members that I shared my concerns with as safe adult mentors. Many of them are mandated reporters and did not "share our concerns", ignored my texts and PM's, talks and even blocked me on social media after asking me not to talk to them about ECCT related incidents.

This is not an isolated incident. There are police reports for more than one family and inappropriate conversations between adult actors/techs/volunteers and children has been going on for years according to my research.

We are no longer participating at this time and do not intend to until they change their policies.

We think this facility has greater potential to succeed if the leadership team spent more time focusing on development and protection of the "child volunteers" opposed to harboring the predators.

Also speaking to children or any person without tact is dispicable. You don't have to "get used to it". You teach ppl how you will be treated.

Also, kids don't need to know your financial instability. I heard w my own ears at parent/actor meetings how much debt they were in before each show. One child got her grandfather to donate $200 because at a meeting the leadership told them they may have to close the doors if money didn't start coming in. I also heard this said at a parade.

No facility is perfect. This one needs lots of changes. It isn't safe in my opinion. If you insist on turning the other cheek, please attend all rehearsals w your children and be back stage and watch their online interaction w adult volunteers outside of rehearsals.

Ppl are too concerned w their kid getting a lead and are scared. I get it. But your child is talented, you don't need anyone at this facility to...

If I could sum up my experience, at the Eau Claire Children’s theater. I would say it was absolutely horrendous. Three years ago I was in Peter Pan and it was very stressful to say the very least. The actress who played Peter Pan was very rude to me and to others. I wanted to ask her something, so I called her name repeatedly and she ignored me.

Wayne Marek was just as bad if not worse. He was very quick to losing his temper and would throw little digs if we didn’t do something absolutely perfect. He was also very arrogant and just flat out egotistical. When my family and I first moved to the area, my mom called the ECCT to see if I could get involved in any productions. Wayne responded with “this isn’t a daycare.” And proceeded to hang up on her.

Another time my dad was late. I needed someone to pick me up so I asked if I could use the phone since I didn’t have mine with me. Wayne then proceeded to belittle me for not being picked up right away. Which caused me to cry, he also doesn’t cast very fairly. You get into the productions based on if your parents work for him or are friends with him.

With recent news of there being reports of inappropriate behavior between adults and children. It just gives me more of a reason to never step foot in there again. If you are looking for a fun theater experience stay away...

I ordered tickets on-line and chose to have them held at the theatre for the production of Julie B with my 22 year old daughter, who has been a huge Julie B fan for more than 15 years. The Oxford charged me for the tickets. We went to the event early to get our tickets yesterday and upon arrival they had no tickets for us. I showed my receipt and nothing doing. The older woman at the counter was rude and not helpful. She went to get Wayne Marek, who eventually came up to the counter and was even more rude. I understand that mistakes are made; how the organization handles the problem Is the real key. There was no apology, but rather a condescending attitude and indifference. Eventually we were seated and the production of Julie B. Jones was amazing. The Actors were incredible and we laughed out load. It is too bad that the theatre staff is not in the same class as the Actors! This was our first time there, and I would be hesitant to go back because of how we were treated. In a small town like EC, they have a monopoly, but that should not allow rude...