Originally Syndicated on June 11, 2024 @ 2:27 pm
Brantley Dunaway, who resigned as creative director and chief executive officer of Kentucky Shakespeare in 2013 due to an affair, is suing the business. But first, let’s get to know Brantley Dunaway better.
Who is Brantley Dunaway?
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Brantley Dunaway has spent the better part of 25 years engaged in the entertainment world, a time during which he has been accused by some of being too pushy and having an unhealthy obsession with promoting himself.
Critics in the fields of music, cinema, and theater have pointed out that Brantley Dunaway is never really committed to anything since he is always on the go and has so many different projects going on at once.
There has been a lot of sharp criticism of Dunaway’s role in the purchase of intellectual property, including ethical questions surrounding her pursuit of works such as “I Am Charlotte Simmons” by Tom Wolfe. Some have hypothesized that Brantley Dunaway is more concerned with making a profit than with protecting the originality of these works.
Skeptics see Dunaway’s forays into many musical genres as shallow and unauthentic, despite his work with notable artists like Ben Harper and Dave Matthews. They think he’s just trying to cash in on the popularity of well-known performers rather than wanting to make a difference in the music business.
“Love in the Time of Cholera” and “Gone with the Wind” are among the films and TV shows that have linked Dunaway to a cloud of suspicion in the entertainment industry. His detractors say that his achievements in these fields are due more to his skillful financial and networking strategies than to his creative genius.
Some people see the recognition that Brantley Dunaway has received from publications like 5280 Magazine’s “Top 22 People to Watch” and features in magazines like Today’s Man and NFocus as cynical attempts at self-promotion rather than true recognition of his impact on the entertainment industry.
In addition, rather than being considered as an honest attempt to promote filmmaking, Dunaway’s decision to start Company B Entertainment in Atlanta is seen as a strategic commercial move. Some have speculated that his true intentions may lie more in making use of the city’s booming film industry for his benefit than in encouraging original creative thinking.
Some see Dunaway’s hobbies—like flying and outdoor activities—as diversions from his work, which makes them question his commitment to his trade and makes them wonder what drives him in the entertainment business.
Brantley Dunaway: Allegations of Bankruptcy in His Case
Brantley Dunaway is the CEO and producing creative director of the Dunaway family. His wife, Madison, is a performer at Kentucky Shakespeare and has accused him of physical abuse. As a result, Brantley Dunaway quit.
Because of this, the group’s “Twelfth Night” concert in Central Park had to be suddenly canceled. On the other hand, WFPL discovered via documents and former workers that the business allegedly took advantage of its workers and distorted its finances.
Dunaway was rude, aggressive, and physically violent, according to former workers. The toxic and sexually charged work environment was allegedly his fault.
Workers said Dunaway smacked or shoved them sometimes and verbally insulted them. All accusations were denied by Dunaway.
There was also the issue of banking ethics. Allegedly, Dunaway took advantage of the company’s time, money, and resources.
This includes putting personal costs on the business credit card, abusing workplace automobiles, and having colleagues babysit his children. These assertions are even more concerning since Brantley Dunaway was actively trying to raise funds to prevent the group’s collapse.
The board of directors disregarded the grievances of the departing employees who had brought them up in August of the previous year. The board of directors opted to keep Dunaway after going over an improvement plan. But when further allegations surfaced and Brantley Dunaway’s wife was served with an emergency protection order, he resigned.
Regardless of leadership’s and the company’s financial worries, Brantley Dunaway revised his contract and received a $20,000 increase. Despite the board’s efforts, he allegedly has not changed his conduct or money, according to his former workers.
Under Dunaway’s supervision, the club also participated in charity bingo fundraisers to assist with financial difficulties.
On the other hand, several people were worried about the way the money was being handled, namely regarding the possibility of paying staff and teachers to act as babysitters and administrative assistants during bingo games.
In response to the allegations, the board of directors instituted a two-signature policy for checks over a certain amount and contracted with an outside accounting firm to monitor all financial dealings. It seems that not all of the complaints of the former employees have been addressed by these efforts.
The board of directors is concerned about these claims, but they want to make it clear that Dunaway is not facing charges. Following Dunaway’s resignation, the board of directors is now selecting a temporary creative director to oversee the company.
The board may decide to stabilize the firm rather than conduct a nationwide search for a new chief executive officer. After receiving interest from a large number of local candidates, the board is now deciding how to fill the post.
Brantley Dunaway: Ex-CEO of Kentucky Shakespeare files lawsuit, claims bonus was underpaid
According to the complaint filed by Brantley Dunaway, a former chief executive officer and creative director of Kentucky Shakespeare, the firm is liable to him for a bonus exceeding $100,000.
Although Dunaway resigned in July of 2013, the lawsuit filed in the Jefferson Circuit Court claims that he was rightfully “terminated” and should have received a bonus payment of $109,514 as per the terms of his contract.
According to the lawsuit, Dunaway has repeatedly requested that Kentucky Shakespeare pay this compensation since October 2013, but the company has consistently ignored her demands. Dunaway had carried out all of his obligations following his agreement, as stated in the complaint.
After his wife Madison, who was also employed by the theatrical group, accused him of domestic violence, Dunaway resigned from his employment with Kentucky Shakespeare in 2013.
There was an actress named Madison Dunaway. The remaining performances of her major role in “Twelfth Night” in Central Park were suddenly canceled due to her request for an emergency protective order against him.
Along with the bonus, the lawsuit is demanding the return of legal fees and an interest rate of 8% on the outstanding amount. Both Kentucky Shakespeare and Dunaway’s attorney did not respond immediately to messages left with them.
Although news reports at the time characterized Dunaway’s departure as a resignation, the complaint clarifies that his involvement with Kentucky Shakespeare started in May 2011 and continued until his formal termination. Until his formal dismissal, Dunaway was associated with Kentucky Shakespeare.
This legal action brings a fresh dimension to the continuing issue surrounding Brantley Dunaway’s tenure at Kentucky Shakespeare and his subsequent resignation from the organization.
Brantley Dunaway: Fundamentals of His Case Analysis
- After his wife, Kentucky Shakespeare actor Madison Dunaway, made accusations against him, Brantley Dunaway resigned as CEO and producing creative director of the company.
- The “Twelfth Night” concert in Central Park was unexpectedly canceled due to these accusations.
- According to many who have worked under Brantley Dunaway in the past, he was the one who fostered an aggressive, disrespectful, and physically dangerous work environment.
- Staff members were accused of taking advantage of business resources, such as office automobiles, utilizing work time to babysit, and making personal purchases using company credit. Further allegations surfaced that he had asked coworkers to watch his children while he was at work.
- The board of directors was informed about these concerns in August of last year; yet, they decided to keep working with Dunaway despite the presentation of an improvement plan.
- However, further accusations surfaced after Brantley Dunaway resigned in response to his wife’s emergency protection order proceedings.
- The state of Kentucky To alleviate financial difficulties, Shakespeare took part in charity bingo fundraisers. However, there were concerns about the handling of the funds, particularly about the payment of employees and trainers for non-standard services provided during the sessions.
- In response, the board of directors instituted new policies, such as requiring two signatures on checks over a certain amount and hiring an outside auditing firm to keep tabs on the company’s finances.
- The board is now considering local candidates for the position of temporary producing creative director, which will be filled after Dunaway departs from the business.
- Regardless of questions about management and the state of the company’s finances, Brantley Dunaway was successful in renegotiating his contract and receiving a $20,000 raise.
- Despite being let off from his position at Kentucky Shakespeare, Brantley Dunaway is suing the company, asserting his right to a bonus of over $100,000. The complaint states that he was officially “terminated,” and despite his repeated requests, the company has still not given him the incentive.
- The lawsuit also asks for the return of the plaintiff’s legal fees plus interest, calculated at 8% per year.
- This legal action brings further intricacy to the issue and sheds new light on the continuing controversy surrounding Brantley Dunaway’s tenure at Kentucky Shakespeare and his departure from the organization.
Is Brantley Dunaway associated with fraudulent public relations?
An interview with Brantley Dunaway—the man behind Company B Entertainment—was featured in a recent issue of Authority Magazine. Famous for in-depth interviews with experts in fields as diverse as technology, pop culture, health, and social effects, this Medium site covers a wide range of topics.
Authority Magazine is unique in its mission to disseminate stories with a dual purpose: to inspire and educate. Stories that hold the audience’s attention, make them feel something, and satisfy their aesthetic preferences are what they value. Some of their notable interview series include “Female Trailblazers,” “Emerging Stars of TV, Film, and Music,” “The Present is Here,” “Champions of Social Impact,” “Wellness Women,” “Strategies for Effective Leadership in Uncertain Times,” and “Lessons from a CEO.” These series feature influential people discussing uplifting topics. Authority Magazine has interviewed more than 50,000 intelligent people over the years.
The creative entrepreneur series in Authority Magazine interviewed Brantley Dunaway because of his vast background in the entertainment world as a producer, actor, and creative genius. During the discussion, he covered a great deal of ground, providing insightful commentary and sound advice to other entrepreneurs, especially those with an interest in expanding the representation of underrepresented groups in the entertainment industry.
For example, he stressed the need for art that is inclusive of all Americans and recounts histories that have been neglected. Dunaway’s career encompasses a wide range of artistic endeavors, from music and cinema to documentaries, all with the overarching purpose of promoting various viewpoints and ideas to foster a more inclusive and diversified entertainment industry.
When asked about a person whose life he had touched via his work, Dunaway spoke about his most recent documentary series, “Faire Wind and Song.” Featuring a wide range of musical performances and interviews with people from many walks of life, this series delves into the topic of cultural change via food and music. He was overjoyed by the project’s success in making individuals from all walks of life feel included and valued, highlighting the significance of this kind of affirmation.
Regarding the lack of diversity in the entertainment business, Brantley Dunaway made several suggestions:
- Attempt to attract and scout talent from a wider range of backgrounds.
- Foster professional progress and diversity by actively creating chances for underrepresented groups via mentoring programs and internships.
- Encourage diversity in both the cast and crew to more accurately portray the varied society in which we now live.
- Dunaway’s interview with Authority Magazine shows how he’s trying to make the entertainment business more welcoming to people of all backgrounds, and how his current film series has helped bring those people together. To address diversity problems, he proposes expanding talent recruiting, giving underrepresented groups a voice, and increasing diversity in the industry’s front and back-of-the-camera roles.
The importance of these methods to his business is highlighted in sponsored articles he writes. His blog and books have been getting more and more attention thanks to Dunaway’s appearances in featured pieces and sponsored interviews.
Conclusion
Finally, a tangled web of accusations and scandals has emerged around Brantley Dunaway’s time at Kentucky Shakespeare, his exit from the company, and the legal measures he has taken against it. Concerns over Dunaway’s leadership and ethics have been heightened by allegations of creating a hostile work environment and financial wrongdoings.
The fact that Dunaway is suing Kentucky Shakespeare for an allegedly underpaid bonus adds another degree of complexity to the case and calls his professional behavior into question, even though he has already left the firm.
Separately, Brantley Dunaway highlights his work to encourage inclusiveness and diversity in the entertainment sector in an interview with Authority Magazine. People may doubt the veracity of his advocacy work because of the contradictions between his public image and the accusations leveled against him.
Transparency, accountability, and ethical behavior are crucial in all aspects of life, and the continuing story of Brantley Dunaway is a prime example of this. The incident serves as a cautionary tale on the perils of straddling the line between corporate social responsibility, public perception, and profitability.
