Shakespeare festival gets new directors

The board at the Yucaipa Lttle Theater must be extremely glad this situation didn't occur to them! They were warned of Mr. Wiese's inappropriate behavior on more than one occasion with under age girls yet elected to have Mr. Wiese stay on in one capacity or another.

The Sabels supposedly knew of Mr. Wiese's prior interest in minors, yet repeatedly cast him where he would be in direct contact with young women, even putting him in charge of the children's workshop, then refsed to blackball him when the board of directors recomended it. Mr. Wiese's arrraignment cannot have been a surprise to the Sabels, yet they are claiming ignorance. Many members of the local theater community are shaking their heads in dismay at the choice to put the festival's interests ahead of the safety of minors. Wonder how many cast members will still be willing to associate with a tainted festval?

Mr. Wiese has never been involved in any official capacity at Yucaipa Little Theatre other than as a cast/crew member. His last involvement at the theatre was as a cast member in a July, 2005 production. In late 2005, when the board of directors first became aware of certain concerns, Mr. Wiese was allowed to respond, and it was decided by the board to disallow further participation by Mr. Wiese in any Yucaipa Little Theatre production. In November, 2007, the board of directors became aware of Mr. Wiese's desire to participate in a Yucaipa Little Theatre fundraising event. After an emergency board meeting to which Mr. Wiese had been invited but did not attend, the board reaffirmed its prior decision, and denied Mr. Wiese the opportunity to participate.

It is sad indeed that this witch hunt has turned its head on any show or theatre Mr. Wiese has chosen to participate in. The actions that the board of directors for the Redlands Shakespeare Festival now have to take is unfortunate. It is also sad that people forget he was charged with sexual battery, not convicted. It is unfortunate that the public cannot remember that we are innocent until proven guilty. Instead of listening to the hearsay of other onlookers think: has Mr. Wiese been convicted of any other sexual offenses? Charged even? It's too bad that some overzealous parents are responsible for all this. I truly hope it was worth it in their eyes. Ruining one mans life isn't enough, they have to ruin a theatre festival's as well.

"It's too bad that some overzealous parents are responsible for all this...."
I think we have lost focus. There is ONE PERSON responsible for this mess. Including the lives of multiple young women who will bear the emotional scars forever.

I hope to put a bit of an early end to what could potentially be a bit of an arguement brewing here. Mr. Wiese's fate is in the hands of the court and other such powerful persons. We all must remember that he could be found not guilty, and that these posts could unfairly taint his reputation (in the eyes of the court....). The internet, especially in such a public page as this, is an inappropraite place to discuss this.
It is my hope that any person who reads this will keep their fingers still until the court makes their decision.
Sick and twisted as it is, and as horrified and disgusted as I am, I beg you all to extend him at least some bit of protection.
Besides, I'm sure there shall be oportunites for any concerned souls to speak out in person, without the protection of the internet. I urge you all to bravely take those opportunites.

Now go wrap yourself safetly in a warm blanket and read a good book. I hear Nabokov is swell.

One girls mom and Straight Arrow.

There is frequent mention of multiple young victims in this case. So far, only one came forward and there is only one case against Wiese. If you have more information, you really should call the Riverside DA's office and let them know.

My understanding is that the incident in question occured while the acused was working under the direct supervision of Paul Jacques for the Feb. 2007 Riverside Dickens Festival. The investigation was initiated in March 2007. Charges were no filed against te acused until seven full months later in October 2007.
During the interim, the acused performed roles and functions for several theater organizations including San Bernardino Valley College, Redlands Community Music Association, and Redlands Shakespeare Festival. There is no evidence that any of these organizations had any knowledge of the accusations or learned of the charges until they were filed in October - well after the accused completed his services for the three artistic entities listed.
It is ludicrous to call into the question the reputations of these three theatre producing organizations over charges that came well after their events, and that have not been proven even yet today. In fact, I understand that this year's Dickens Festival went off without a hitch.

Oh sure...the Festival went off without a hitch with the exception of the loss of innocence of an underage female. I guess it all depends on perpective...huh?

I have had the privilege of working with John-David Wiese in more than one production. He has not only exhibited professionalism in his craft, but is one of the most talented performers in the Inland Empire.
As far as the culpability issue goes, Steven Sabel did know of John-David's pending charges in Riverside, and the trouble he had in Yucaipa Little Theater when he aggressively pursued John-David for the job of co-director in the Redlands Shakespeare Summer Camp for children.
There were other highly qualified teachers that applied for that position, and were not considered over John-David.
Still, Mr. Wiese deserves the opportunity of being innocent until proven guilty. It is not for us to judge him until the facts are presented in a court of law. He is a caring, valued member of this community and should be given the benefit of the doubt.
In my opinion, as a parent who has raised a daughter, and as an actor who has worked with and has had a relationship with Mr. Wiese for almost a year now, I can safely say that I trust him and will continue to do so. His case is a matter of the courts, and we do not have the right to be his judge and jury.

Well Mr "In Defense of JD Wiese"...I wonder if you are still defending the recent convicted child molester?? I am one of many who was glad to see JD Wiese convicted for the criminal and deceptive opportunist that he is. Thank goodness he will forever have to register as a sex offender. Perhaps that will help protect our children from pedophiles such as him!

In reference to "Justice Served" - Pleading out is not the same as being convicted.

I did not see it stated as part of the terms of his probation that he needed to register as a sex offender. Did you?

However, the charge does stand; which he pleaded guilty on, but not the other two charges; which were dismissed.

So the conviction is "Arranged meeting w/minor - at or about arranged time/place"; which resulted in short jail time and probation.

While I will not speculate as to circumstances of the case I will say that nobody is the winner and there is no cause for gloating or celebration. And whether the situation happened by design, innocent or not, both lives are forever affected.

It is unfortunate that "justice served" feels that they can make those kinds of comments based on not even knowing JD at all. I am still defending him even though he has to register as a sex offender because I know him as a person and he is a wonderful man. You are obviously judgmental and that is sad.

you defend a person that has sex with underage ppl. You have to be sh*tin me, this person needs to be locked up or have his willie removed.

I am a friend of a person who was "offened" by Mr.Wiese.She was manipulated by him in to having "fun." He makes friends with the girls first then he strikes when he feels he has them controlled. By my understanding he has mady friends with many under aged girls and gets their numbers, and acts friendly to them I mean by taking them home seems harmless but never is with Mr.Wiese

why would anyone defend a person like JD. I mean he likes and still likes young girls. I know for a fact that he has had sex with a girl that was under the age of 18.

Knowing that JD has had sex with a person under the age of 18, why would anyone want to be associated with a person like that? I mean come on would you let your daughter be with a person like that?

JD is a sick F**kin person, he does not only need to stay a away but he needs to be put away for life to keep or children safe....

Although I understand that JD has made some poor choices, I do not believe that he is pedophile. He went through the court system and received his sentence. It is unfortunate that so many people choose to judge others. We all make mistakes. He has been in a relationship with me for a year now, and he has not shown the type of behavior that is described in this forum. He deserves the right to be able to go on with his life.

I'm curious, dear. What kind of relationship?

I suppose, since that last case is finished, we all must simply stop our slander until some other slice of sensation comes into our suspicion.