Renton Civic Theatre recasts leadership following revelations of child sex abuse convictions
The Renton Civic Theatre, an historic Eastside community arts institution, faces a dramatic overhaul after sexual harassment allegations and the troubling criminal histories of its former leaders came to light.
The scandal broke when former artistic director Bill Huls, 56, was accused of sexual harassment by actor Shawna Avinger. Avinger took to social media, disclosing documents that revealed Huls and former board president Alan Parsons, 36, had both been convicted of separate sexual offenses involving children nearly two decades ago.
Court records obtained by KUOW confirm that both men were convicted of crimes involving children under the age of 7. Although neither Huls nor Parsons are currently required to register as sex offenders, the revelations alarmed former staff and theater performers, especially given the theater’s history of casting children in productions.
Known not only as a performance venue for plays like “Pippin” and “Hair,” the nonprofit is also rented by The City of Renton for events like Summer Teen Musical, and by small businesses such as the Evergreen City Ballet – both of which cast children.
Calls for the board’s and artistic director’s resignations intensified on social media leading up to the ouster.
Avinger expressed her desire for a complete overhaul, stating, “I’d love to see a whole new board in there, like all new people… I think they just have to start fresh if that space is going to survive, and it should survive, it’s a cool theater. The space itself is not to blame for this.”
In response to the outcry, the entire board, including Parsons, resigned. A statement on the theater’s website announced that a new board had been appointed at the beginning of September.
“Renton Civic Theatre is now under 100% new leadership,” the statement reads, thanking those who had spoken out. It further pledged to “build a new and thriving theater community with the goal of making everyone feel safe and wanted.”
“The last few weeks have been really strange,” said Rachel Wilkie, a former staff member.
Despite the upheaval, Wilkie remains optimistic about the theater's future.
“What I’m most looking forward to is a chance for a little scrappy, small-town theater to get a chance to be well-run and well-managed,” she added.
In a statement, the newly appointed board said it’s focused on restoring trust and ensuring a safer environment at the theater. The board will host an open forum at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, where community members will have the opportunity to meet the new leadership and discuss the future of the theater.
KUOW reached out to Huls, Parsons, and the previous board for comment, but none were willing to speak on the record.
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Diana Opong
Reporter & Host
Diana Opong is a general assignment reporter at KUOW, committed to illuminating impactful stories throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her journalistic lens spans between environmental phenomena like invasive green crabs to transformative milestones in ballet. Rooted in curiosity, Diana's approach to reporting blends meticulous research with collaborative storytelling, ensuring her work resonates deeply with audiences. She has also showcased her expertise as a freelance host for NPR's Life Kit and as a spot news reporter for NPR News, consistently delivering insightful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
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