Baltimore Rock Opera Society pushes on after leader’s viral firing

For the beleaguered Baltimore Rock Opera Society, the show must go on.

The city-based theater group known for its original rock-and-roll productions — and more recently the controversial firing of its white director after she wore cornrows — returned to the stage Thursday night for its first performance since the viral fallout from its new leader’s dismissal.

During the preview night of “The Orb of Pondering,” there was no mention of artistic director Kelly Carnes’ abrupt firing last month or the online fallout that quickly followed. Instead, the opera society, which identifies itself by the acronym BROS, looked optimistically to its future.

“As we approach our 20th year, we are on the verge of even greater accomplishments, more spectacular shows, better technology and even more opportunities to bring people’s dreams to life,” assistant stage manager Lynn Shambles said during an introduction. “If that’s something that interests you, the best way to help us out is by volunteering.”

To an average fan, the performance at Zion Church of the City of Baltimore was a typical BROS affair: a heavy metal soundtrack performed by a six-piece band, a charmingly silly, expletive-filled story inspired by “Dungeons & Dragons” and lots of do-it-yourself costumes and production details.

But behind the scenes, BROS is dealing with sweeping leadership changes and scrutiny over the dismissal of Carnes, who was fired just weeks into the role after cultural appropriation concerns were raised over her cornrows.

Aside from finding a new leader, the organization must replace four of its six-member board of directors before Dec. 31 to maintain its nonprofit status, according to an internal BROS email obtained by The Banner, which can determine eligibility for grants.

Cat Litten, marketing and communications director for BROS, said Friday that the search for new board members is “going very well,” and she’s confident the organization will fill the vacant seats before the end of the year.

“We have exciting prospects who are bringing great ideas already towards what BROS can be in the future,” Litten said. She declined to answer any questions about Carnes and whether the search to find a new artistic director is active.

The controversy, which made national headlines earlier this month, stems from a video clip posted, and removed, from BROS’ social media accounts, which showed Carnes at a BROS event with her hair in cornrows. Afterward, BROS volunteers expressed concerns over a white woman sporting a hairstyle with African origins.

Carnes told The Banner in September that her temporary cornrows were braided “in a protective style” to combat the windy, dusty conditions of Burning Man, the annual arts festival in the Nevada desert she attended.

Two weeks after her start date, Carnes was fired. The termination letter, she said, described the reason as “not a good fit.” Carnes said she believes she was dismissed because of her hairstyle and the reaction to it within the BROS community.

The dismissal went viral, leading to BROS’ restricting or disabling comments on its Instagram and Facebook accounts, which remains the case as of Friday.

More changes at the top quickly followed: Chair Naomi Davidoff, treasurer and co-founder Aran Keating, secretary Dom Cerquetti and Dana Carr will step down at the end of the year, according to the internal email.

Carnes’ attorney, Owen Bement, said no lawsuit has been filed on the behalf of Carnes, who is exploring her legal options over her firing and whether it was discriminatory.

“The dispute hasn’t been resolved,” Bement said Thursday.

Founded by five local friends, including Keating, BROS debuted in 2009 with “Gründlehämmer” at the 2640 Space in Charles Village.

Since then, it has performed at venues like Artscape, the Autograph Playhouse and Creative Alliance. Before “The Orb of Pondering,” BROS performed the musical “American Vamp” in May and June at Zion Church.

Thursday’s performance was a preview — think a dress rehearsal — to roughly 10 audience members. Opening night is tonight at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Zion Church, with shows scheduled for this weekend, Thursday and next weekend. Tickets are on sale now.

Litten said ticket sales for “The Orb of Pondering” are up 72% year-over-year, compared with last fall’s production of “Garbage Quest.” No shows have sold out yet for the theatrical run at Zion Church, which holds approximately 120 audience members, Litten said.

Friends Zoe Beck and Liv Hollenbach attended the preview Thursday after seeing their first BROS production, “American Vamp.” They were aware of Carnes’ firing, and the subsequent fallout, but said that won’t deter them from volunteering with the theater group.

The Baltimore transplants are drawn to BROS’ brand of funny, head-banging DIY theater.

“It’s original. I never see original musical theater,” Beck said.

Hollenbach, who described BROS as “such a cool thing,” said she and Beck are excited to contribute to the group in the near future.

“We didn’t grow up in Baltimore, so we’re looking for that kind of community,” Hollenbach said.

Despite BROS making headlines for non-theater reasons lately, Litten said BROS is moving forward, including its next major production, “Aquarius Dreaming,” in the spring at Zion Church.

“Our eyes are towards the future and it is bright and loud, as BROS shows are,” Litten said.