Baltimore Rock Opera Society sells 72% more tickets after leadership shakeup

The Baltimore Rock Opera Society, known as BROS, presented its first public performance since the viral controversy over the firing of its artistic director. The group staged a preview of The Orb of Pondering at Zion Church of the City of Baltimore on Thursday night. The show features a heavy metal soundtrack and a story inspired by Dungeons and Dragons. The organization is now approaching its 20th year of operation.

Assistant stage manager Lynn Shambles told the audience that the theater is on the verge of greater accomplishments and better technology. She asked the crowd to volunteer to help the group move forward. The preview night attracted roughly 10 audience members. There was no mention of the recent leadership changes during the introduction.

BROS is undergoing sweeping internal changes. The organization must replace four of its six board members before December 31 to maintain its nonprofit status. This deadline is critical for the group’s eligibility for grants. Chair Naomi Davidoff, treasurer and co-founder Aran Keating, secretary Dom Cerquetti, and Dana Carr will all step down at the end of the year. Cat Litten, the marketing and communications director, said the search for new board members is going very well.

The board changes follow the dismissal of Kelly Carnes, who was fired two weeks after starting as artistic director. Volunteers raised concerns after a video showed Carnes wearing cornrows at a BROS event. Carnes told The Banner in September that the braids were a protective style for the windy conditions at Burning Man in Nevada. The termination letter cited not a good fit as the reason for her departure. Carnes believes the hairstyle and the community reaction were the primary causes of her firing.

The dispute has not been resolved, according to Owen Bement, Carnes’ attorney. He said no lawsuit has been filed yet, but his client is exploring legal options regarding whether the firing was discriminatory. BROS restricted or disabled comments on its Instagram and Facebook accounts following the viral clip. Those restrictions remain in place as of Friday. Litten declined to say if a search for a new artistic director is currently active.

Ticket sales for The Orb of Pondering are up 72% compared to last fall’s production of Garbage Quest. No shows have sold out yet for the run at Zion Church, a venue that holds approximately 120 people. Opening night is scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., with additional shows planned for this weekend and next week. The group previously performed American Vamp at the same location in May and June.

Zoe Beck and Liv Hollenbach attended the preview after seeing American Vamp. Both are friends who moved to Baltimore and plan to volunteer with the group. Beck said she values the originality of the musical theater. Hollenbach described BROS as a cool thing that provides a sense of community for transplants to the city.

Litten said the group’s next major production is Aquarius Dreaming, which will run in the spring at Zion Church. She described the organization’s outlook as bright and loud, consistent with the style of its performances.