Woodstock Opera House Advisory Commission

MINUTES OF THE WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE ADVISORY COMMISSION Tuesday, September 19, 2023 The meeting of the Opera House Advisory Commission of the City of Woodstock was called to order at the Opera House at 4:30 pm by Keith Johnson on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. A roll call was taken. I. Call to Order Advisory Members: Present: Keith Johnson, Judith Svalander, Cassandra Vohs Demann, Gay Mather, Peggy Hart, Jeff Kleinschmidt (4:38pm). Absent: Roger Zawacki. Staff: Opera House Director Daniel Campbell, Opera House Business Operations Manager Betsy Cosgray. II. Approval of Minutes Judith Svalander motioned to approve the Tuesday, August 22, 2023 meeting minutes, Cassandra Vohs Demann seconded. Ayes: Keith Johnson, Judith Svalander, Cassandra Vohs Demann, Gay Mather, Peggy Hart. Nays: none. Absent: Roger Zawacki and Jeff Kleinschmidt (entered at 4:38pm). Motion to approve the August 22, 2023 meeting minutes passed. III. COMMUNICATIONS Daniel introduced Gay Mathers, who once appointed, will represent the Woodstock Fine Arts Association. The Board introduced themselves. a. Managing Director Report: D. Campbell provided a WOH update: Director Campbell shared Opera House Programming: Warp Corp’s Intervention through Engagement was well received. Rockapella and Silverscreen both had nice size crowds. He reviewed the Raise the Curtain fundraising week schedule as well as other September events. Theatre 121’s run of Puffs opens on October 6th, running through October 15th. Director Campbell shared that there is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) out looking for Architectural firms, and Production Manager Rodney Stickrod is putting together recommendations for a technical design bid. The windows that were part of the DCEO grant are in the plans to start this fall. b. Commission Chair: K. Johnson shared that they finished their Summer concert season and will work on how to bring more people to the event next year. OffSquare Music is still hosting Open Mic Night and Original Open Mic Night on the second and fourth Friday’s of the month. c. Commission Member Comments: Cassandra Vohs Demann (Member at Large) – Silverscreen Spectacular was successful and the feedback was incredible. K. Johnson stated he likes that it was local talent working with professional talent. Judith Svalander (Judith Svalander Dance Theatre) – Auditions for the Nutcracker are complete and prepping for Curtains Up at the end of the week. Peggy Hart (Friends of the Opera House): – The president, John Puzzo, resigned from the position effective immediately. A special board meeting was held on Sunday, September 17, 2023 to elect a new president. Peggy Hart will assume the remainder of John’s term. J. Puzzo was also honored for his dedication and years of service at the meeting. The board also approved using the FOTOH T-shirts as an incentive for those contributing $40 or more to the Raise the Curtain fundraising campaign during the week of September 18th. The FOTOH hosted a fundraiser at Read Between the Lynes generating $217.82 on September 7th. The board also met to discuss the renovations at the Opera House. 2023 Advisory Meeting dates: Jan. 17, Feb. 14, Mar. 14, May 16, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and Nov.14  Gay Mather (Woodstock Fine Arts Association) – WFAA is hosting Will Steger on September 20th and 21st with Homer Hickam from October Sky fame. The Children’s Show in October is Switchback. Jeff Kleinschimdt – No Comments. IV. OLD BUSINESS a. Review of DLR Report – Director Campbell reminded advisory members to keep the lines of communication open to Rodney Stickrod, Production Manager with future technical needs. V. NEW BUSINESS a. Feedback on the DLR Report – Director Campbell asked for feedback on the plan for renovations. One question asked and answered is if the current rigging presents a danger to performers? D. Campbell stated everything that was cited in the report has been resolved. Rigging inspections will be needed in late 2023-2024. Agreement that money should be spent on renovations to the original building and south annex. Discussion ensued regarding replacing the tables and chairs in Stage Left. D. Campbell noted that it was outside the scope of renovation plans, so money will need to be raised. After the discussion of the renovation plans, the board had a general support for the plan and priorities as identified by Daniel. b. Review of Strategic Plan Elements – D. Campbell presented the strategic plan (vision, core values, mission statement, customer service vision, key strategy areas, objectives, and strategies). He also commented that he is in the beginning stages of working on a business plan based on the objectives and best practices. c. Commission Schedule for 2024 – It was agreed to continue having the meetings on the third Tuesday in Jan, Feb, Mar, May, Aug, Sept, Nov. A printed calendar of meetings will be available at the next meeting. VI. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Cassandra Vohs Demann, Judith Svalander seconded. Ayes: Keith Johnson, Judith Svalander, Jeff Kleinschmidt, Cassandra Vohs Demann, Peggy Hart. Nays: none. Absent: Roger Zawacki. Motion to adjourn passed. Meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m. The next meeting: October 17, 2023. Respectfully submitted, Betsy Cosgray 2023 Advisory Meeting dates: Jan. 17, Feb. 14, Mar. 14, May 16, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and Nov.14