The Willamette University's theater department has canceled its two productions this semester.

Theater department faculty officially announced to the community on Feb. 9 the cancellations of "Servant of Two Masters," which was supposed to open on Feb. 22, and "Public Enemy," which had been scheduled for later in the semester.

Kristen Grainger, chief communications officer at Willamette University, said the shows were canceled due to an internal conflict within the department.

But several Willamette students told the Statesman Journal that theater department faculty failed to resolve issues following several allegations of sexual harassment by an individual in the department.

Dawn-Hunter Strobel, a 21-year-old theater major, said he initially filed a Title IX complaint in November with the university.

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Several students also alleged the behavior of an individual in the department made them feel unsafe.

Multiple meetings between students and faculty followed from December to February, Strobel said. When students' requests were not met, a majority of students in the department decided to strike, resulting in the productions being canceled due to the "financial ramifications" of the strike.

Grainger said Willamette University follows up on every report of misconduct and takes the safety of students seriously, but she could not be more specific about the decision to cancel the productions.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of students and constrains the university on the information they are allowed to share that could "possibly clear the air," Grainger said.

It's "disappointing" that these productions were canceled, she said, because they have a loyal following outside of Willamette and typically sell out the M. Lee Pelton Theatre, which can seat up to 200 people.

Revenue from the productions help fund subsequent productions, so if one is canceled, it affects the following show.

"A lot of us ... are losing out on the opportunity of getting to be a part of putting on a show," said Abby Mearns, a 19-year-old theater major.

Students were offered alternative performing and production opportunities this semester to make up for credit lost because of the cancellations.

Shelby Fenn, a 19-year-old theater major, said the students were told the situation should not jeopardize those with theater scholarships or meeting graduation requirements.

Abby Luschei is the entertainment reporter for the Statesman Journal; she can be reached at aluschei@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6747. Follow her on Twitter @abbyluschei or facebook.com/luscheiabby.

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