ALTON - Eric Sykes, the executive director of Alton Little Theater, recently took to social media to address “a narrative circulating online that Alton Little Theater is somehow an unsafe space.”
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Over the past year, a former performer has been vocal about sexual misconduct they said they experienced with a former leader in the theater. Additionally, Sykes’s Twitter account has attracted attention because of comments that some say were offensive to the LGBTQ+ community.
In a video posted to the Alton Little Theater Facebook page on April 29, 2026, Sykes noted that “allegations involving a former employee” circulated on social media in January 2025.
“That’s a serious claim, and it deserves a serious and truthful response,” he said. “Those allegations that were revealed in January 2025 were not ignored. They were taken seriously and handled through the appropriate channels.”
He clarified that no charges were pursued by the Madison County State Attorney’s Office and there is no open case, which he said is “the reality of the situation.”
Sykes also addressed “old comments that [he] made through social media” that, he said, have fueled conversations about whether he supports everyone in the community.
“I want to be very clear. I support people of all communities. That’s how I lead, and that’s how this theater operates,” he said. “Claiming that I create an unsafe environment for others is a serious accusation and simply not true. I believe in inclusion, treating all people with respect, and not judging people unfairly.”
He added that his “track record…speaks for itself” and he will continue to “lead with seriousness, fairness, compassion for all, and a commitment to doing what is right.” He said he has had conversations with friends in the LGBTQ+ community who “have reached out to affirm their support and discredit this defamation of [his] character.”
“At Alton Little Theater, every person who walks through our doors deserves to be treated with respect,” he said. “That includes people of all different backgrounds, different beliefs, and different perspectives.”
Sykes added that he doesn’t want “false and misleading claims” to “define” the organization or its members. He encouraged people to continue to support the theater.
“Alton Little Theater is committed to being a safe and respectful space for everyone,” he added. “My focus is, and will continue to be, leading this organization with integrity, accountability, and respect for everyone involved.”
Alton Little Theater limited who can comment on the video on their Facebook page.
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