Juozo Miltinio Theatre actress speaks out on what's really happening backstage: Is this respect?

An actress from the Juozas Miltinis Drama Theatre has publicly defended the institution's director, Antanas Venckus, against allegations of mobbing. Ieva Labanauskaitė, an actress at the theater for five years, stated she has experienced respectful, professional, and humane treatment from Venckus.

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I am an actress at the Juozas Miltinis Drama Theatre. In five years of working at the theater, I have not experienced any mobbing. On the contrary – I have always felt a respectful, professional, and humane relationship from this theater director, Antanas Venckus.

Labanauskaitė expressed surprise that individuals loudest in their calls for respect and professionalism seem to lack it in their own actions. She cited instances of lateness to performances without notice and making colleagues wait for rehearsals as examples of unprofessional behavior. She questioned whether respect is earned by such conduct or by accommodating directors who are perceived as lenient.

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It is frightening to observe how easily a person's reputation can be destroyed with the help of the media and opinion formers, who, in my opinion, have assessed all circumstances with considerable leniency and understanding, trying to understand every stage professional.

She acknowledged that workplace challenges regarding organization, rest, and salary are normal. However, she criticized the public accusations against the director, suggesting that media and opinion formers can easily damage reputations. Labanauskaitė urged observers not to rush to conclusions or blindly blame the theater's management, lamenting that such public discourse was not possible in Miltinis's time.

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I would like to ask everyone who is observing this situation from the sidelines not to rush to make far-reaching conclusions, to blindly accuse the theater management, or, even more so, to bury the theater itself. It is a pity that there was no Facebook in Miltinis's time...