Ex-director of Orpheum Theatre charged with abuse
GALESBURG, Ill. — The former director of the Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg has been charged with sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy who was seeking a role in a theater production.
Joshua Damewood of Monmouth is accused of pressuring the boy into performing a sex act on the theater’s stage last October.
He is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Other than confirming he understood the charges, Damewood made no statements in court Tuesday.
He is scheduled to respond to the charges at his arraignment on March 14. He is free on $15,000 bond.
Damewood was named director of the Orpheum in August.
There was no answer Wednesday at a phone listing for Damewood.
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