To the Editor:

As I read the news reports concerning the alleged allegations regarding Matthew Madden, I was in disbelief to see how inaccurate the reporting was. I'm old enough to remember when journalism meant that all sources and facts were checked and double checked before being printed instead of just parroting press releases no matter how inaccurate they are. Nowadays, journalists want to be the first to crack the story and worry about the facts later. The press release that was published made it sound like Matt has been the theater director at Sabrina's Encore Productions since 2011 and has been preying on girls using that position for the past five years.

Matt was a long time student of Sabrina's who graduated high school in 2011 and then went on to attend college in NY state in the Fall of 2011. At no time during those college years (2011-2015) did Matt direct any of Sabrina's productions nor was he even ever seen at the studio. Since he graduated from college in the spring of 2015, the only time he has worked at Sabrina's has been for two, two-hour shifts (four hours in total) during the winter production of Elf. During those rehearsals, he was supervised by adult volunteers. The girl who reported him to the police contacted the police on 11/23. On 11/23, the police contacted Sabrina and she emailed all of us parents on 11/23 to tell us that Matt was no longer going to be assisting at any rehearsals.

No one viewed Matt as the director, he was viewed as a fellow student who had graduated from one of the best performing arts programs in the country and was now helping with a handful of rehearsals. Matt was not a stranger she hired off the street. Both him and his two younger siblings performed in several productions a year with Sabrina for many years and the family was very well known as dedicated and talented performers.

I am trying to remind myself that it is not up to me to judge Matt's actions but rather for the court of law to determine his guilt or innocence. As the legal process is worked through, I would like Sabrina's Encore Productions to not be dragged through any more negative media based on misinformation on Matt's relationship with the studio.

My daughter has been a student there since 2011 and we have had nothing but positive experiences. Sabrina's Encore Productions is a like a family to us. All students are included with guaranteed roles during auditions and their dedicated staff gives each child an opportunity to perform and enhance their talents. I will continue to have my daughter participate in SEP productions and do not have any concerns for her safety. If you are looking for a nurturing theater environment for your child, I encourage you to look into Sabrina's Encore Productions.

Karen Palmieri

4 Tanglewood Lane Sandy Hook      March 29, 2016