Soulpepper artistic director Albert Schultz resigns amid sexual harassment allegations

Soulpepper Theatre Company announced Thursday evening that it has accepted the resignation of artistic director Albert Schultz.

The resignation comes after four civil suits alleging sexual harassmentagainstSchultz, who is also a founding member of the Toronto stage company.

• CBC INVESTIGATES | Schultz steps down amid sexual harassment allegations

"While I will continue to vigorously defend myself against the allegations that are being made, I have made this decision in the interest of the future of the company into which I poured the last 20 years of my life, and in the interest of the aspirations of the artists and administrators of the company," Schultz said in thestatement issued Thursday evening.

Soulpepper's associate artistic director, Alan Dilworth, will serve as acting artistic director, the company said in a separate statement.

The company also saidSchultz's resignation will allow it to "focus on its core mission: to provide a safe community for its exceptionally talented group of professionals.

"While this has been a tremendously difficult chapter in Soulpepper's history, today's decision ensures the organization is able to move forward with confidence and remain a leading Canadian theatre company."

• Actresses had to 'suffer in silence,' lawyer says
• 2 workers claim Soulpepper's 'unhealthy power dynamic' encouraged Schultz's alleged sexual misconduct

The four actors filing separate lawsuits against Schultz worked with him atSoulpepperfrom2000 to 2013.

"Albert is a serial sexual predator who had well-developed methods for targeting actresses and luring them into situations that he considered optimal for sexually harassing and assaulting them," the lawsuits allege.

Schultz's methods were "facilitated by Soulpepper," the lawsuits claim.

Schultzsaid previously he was taking a leave of absence while the company's board of directors investigated the claims.

"These claims make serious allegations against me which I do not take lightly," Schultz said in a statement Wednesday.