Parity Pipeline

Genre

Synopsis

From its start in 1965, the Minnesota Children's Theater Company (CTC) has delighted its audiences with breathtaking renditions of children’s classics. Artistic director John Clark Donahue transformed the theater into not only the crown jewel of Minneapolis’ robust theater scene, but one of the most prestigious children’s theaters in the world. But the theater also had a darker side. In the 1980s, damning accusations of sexual abuse that had swirled for years came to a head. Donahue, convicted of abusing several boys was briefly sentenced to jail. Meanwhile, CTC, its board, and supporters focused solely on salvagin its reputation to quickly move past the scandal. But secrets were still buried: the perpetration of the abuse was not limited to Donahue alone. In fact, it involved multiple other staff members and scores of children. Then, in 2013, based on new understanding about the impact of childhood trauma, the Minnesota Legislature passed a Child Victim’s Act, creating a 3-year “look back window” making it possible for adult survivors of childhood sexual assault who were finally ready and able, to seek justice. Seventeen former CTC child actors file lawsuits, setting in motion a confrontation with what remains one of the world’s most revered and beloved theaters for children. Our story–uniquely set in the world of children’s theater–is told through four former child actors, as they fight to hold the theater accountable through litigation and beyond. Each carries decades-held burdens of trauma and guilt. Their search for justice beyond the courtroom offers a hopeful blueprint for collective healing in the wake of silence and trauma, and what organizations can do to reckon with their past. Providing rare insights into missteps that can be avoided, and the healing that is possible when survivors’ voices are heard, this film will serve as an inspiring post #MeToo blueprint for other institutions and survivors of past harm. With its gripping narrative, integrity, unflinching honesty, and universal themes, MAGIC & MONSTERS is poised to captivate audiences. It offers a rare glimpse into the complex web of trauma, accountability, and the potential for transformative change when survivors' voices are finally heard. As the #MeToo movement faces increasing backlash, this film serves as a powerful reminder of the work that still needs to be done and the courage required to confront the sins of the past.