Beverly Police, Essex County DA Investigating Ex-Theater Exec

BEVERLY, MA — A second Beverly man resigned his high-ranking post at Boston Children's Theater amid an Essex County District Attorney's office investigation into accusation of inappropriate behavior. Beverly police forwarded the investigation of Burgess Clark to the DA's office. Clark resigned as executive artistic director at the theater two weeks ago, just two days before interim president Jim Solomon forwarded an anonymous email to authorities.

Clark resigned while on a six-week medical leave from the theater. On Friday, the theater said it had "decided to part ways" with executive director Toby Schine. Schine shares a house in Beverly with Clark and his partner. The theater also said it was canceling its planned production of "A Charlie Brown Schedule" for the holiday season.

"Unfortunately, in light of recent events, our focus as an organization must be rebuilding. We are profoundly saddened by the allegations made against Burgess Clark and we have great compassion for the brave men and women who have come forward," the theater said in a note to supporters. "Although we are heartbroken, there will be disruptions to the programs that our children love so dearly because we want to move forward as an organization with new leadership that can carry our mission into the future."

Schine's departure comes 12 days after the theater's board said it had "full confidence" in its executive director. More than a dozen former students at the Boston Children's Theater have accused Clark of inappropriate behavior, but some parents expressed skepticism about the allegations after a meeting Sunday with the board of directors, according to a report on WBUR.