Artistic director placed on leave during probe
Jacqueline Moscou, artistic director of the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, has been placed on paid administrative leave by the city of Seattle’s Parks and Recreation Department, which manages the Central District arts cultural facility.
Manuel Cawaling, managing director of the Langston Hughes center, confirmed last week that Moscou was relieved of her professional duties in mid-October, and that she’ll remain on paid administrative leave while a fact-finding investigation is completed.
No details were given about the investigation. Said Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Dewey Potter: “We are unable to comment further on the situation because it is a personnel matter.”
Parker Wolf, who worked as a production manager on the recent Langston Hughes show “Dinah Was,” which Moscou directed, said she and others involved were upset by Moscou’s ouster, which they saw as sudden and ill-advised.
“We are thinking of making a formal complaint about her removal and what we consider to be the mismanagement of Langston Hughes,” said Wolf, who said she was designated to speak on behalf of the cast and crew of “Dinah Was.” That show closed early after Stephanie Hatley, the lead performer, broke her foot.
Wolf said she and others hoped Moscou would be allowed back to salvage the show, but that didn’t happen. “This matter goes beyond Jacqui,” said Wolf. “It’s about the whole building, and the way the programs are run.”
Moscou, a veteran local theater artist, took up her post at Langston Hughes in 2002. Since then, she has instituted a black film festival, a new acting program for youths and other ambitious projects focusing on black culture. Moscou did not return phone calls Monday. Cawaling and senior officials at the Parks and Recreation department could not be reached either.
Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com