Woodstock Opera House Advisory Commission

MINUTES OF THE WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE ADVISORY COMMISSION Tuesday, February 20, 2024 The meeting of the Opera House Advisory Commission of the City of Woodstock was called to order at the Opera House at 4:34 pm by Keith Johnson on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. A roll call was taken. I. CALL TO ORDER Present: Keith Johnson, Jeff Kleinschmidt, Cassandra Vohs Demann, Peggy Hart, Judith Svalander, and Mary Ellen Prindiville. Absent: Roger Zawacki Staff: Daniel Campbell (Opera House Director), Betsy Cosgray (Opera House Business Operations Manager), and Tiara Thayer (Clerk). II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES J. Svalander motioned to approve the January 16, 2024 meeting minutes, and J. Kleinschmidt seconded. Ayes: Keith Johnson, Jeff Kleinschmidt, Cassandra Vohs Demann, Peggy Hart, Judith Svalander, Mary Ellen Prindiville. Nays: none. Absent: Roger Zawacki. Motion to approve the January 16, 2024 meeting minutes passed. III. COMMUNICATIONS a. Opera House Director Report: Daniel Campbell provided an update on the Woodstock Opera House: The Groundhog Day prognostication on the Square was very well attended. TV meteorologist, Tom Skilling, was also present for the prognostication. Groundhog Day walking tours started at the Opera House and visited other prominent filming spots around the Square. The Billy Joel Experience was very well attended and enjoyed by the crowd. Warp Corps partnered with the Opera House to produce a Winter Jam Concert. This concert used an open house approach and was also very well attended and enjoyed by the community. The Opera House and Warp Corps are planning to produce this concert again next year. The Opera House also hosted a Make-A-Wish reveal party for a young girl. For this reveal party, the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District took the child on a ride in a fire truck, and in preparation for her trip to Disney World, a group of Woodstock North volunteer students attended her party in full Disney-themed attire. Director Campbell submitted the updated fee structure and it was approved by the City Manager’s Office. The Opera House is in process to add a second part-time assistant to the hospitality team. b. Commission Chair Comments: Keith Johnson shared that Open Mic nights are doing well and that the performance slots have been full.  c. Commission Member Comments: Cassandra Vohs Demann (Member at Large) stated that the choir is preparing for the Spring Concert. Additionally, tickets for the Love Letters show are selling well and will likely be sold out by Saturday. Peggy Hart (Friends of the Opera House) reported that the Cocktails with Woodstock Willie fundraiser was sold out this year. The recent Friends membership meeting resulted in filling the vacant positions on their board and secured a Vice President as well. Judith Svalander (Judith Svalander Ballet Theater) shared that preparations and auditions for the upcoming Sleeping Beauty show are underway. Mary Ellen Prindiville (Woodstock Fine Arts Association) stated that the Woodstock Fine Arts Association Creative Living Series is preparing its 61st season and has added guest speaker, Bruce Iglauer, to their current season on April 18, 2024. Bruce Iglauer is the founder of Alligator Records, a Chicago-based blues label. Jeff Kleinschmidt – No comments. IV. OLD BUSINESS a. DCEO Project Updates Director Campbell informed the Commission that Heritage Restoration will be removing the northside and eastside windows for restorations and repairs. There is a total of 46 windows that will be removed. The Opera House has started looking at bids for the auditorium’s lights, sound, and video equipment upgrades. The Opera House is interested in finding a single bidder that can supply all of the needed upgrades to the auditorium’s equipment. The remaining DCEO projects are underway with the architects. b. 2024 Goals & Objectives Short-term goals concerning the DCEO grant were discussed during DCEO Project Updates. c. Fee Structure 2024 As mentioned in the Director’s Report, the updated fee structure was submitted and approved by the City Manager’s Office. V. NEW BUSINESS a. Branding Roll-Out The City of Woodstock hired a company to redesign their logos as well as hiring a company to build and update the City and its departments’ websites. This provided a more uniform and cohesive look across departments. The new logos feature the same color palette and fonts, while still remaining distinct to each department. Chairman Johnson asked how this rebranding and the City’s Marketing Department will affect Real Woodstock. Director Campbell clarified that Real Woodstock was absorbed into the City’s Marketing and Communications Department, directed by Danielle Gulli, last year.  b. H&R Draft Plans Holabird & Root are in the process of reviewing designs for the upcoming renovations. Director Campbell informed the Commission that he will share the design plans with them once the plans become more definitive. Overall, the renovation goals are to embrace the original architectural designs of the Opera House while also incorporating more functional and open concept designs to meet the facility’s current and future needs. Chairman Johnson asked if the garage space will also receive any renovations. Director Campbell explained that the Opera House will try to make the garage space useable, but at this time there are not enough funds available to renovate the garage at the same level as the rest of the renovations. J. Svalander asked who the Opera House goes to for set design. Director Campbell stated that Theater 121 does their own set design and Opera House staff have assisted where possible in the past. c. Opera House Development Position The Opera House’s Development Manager, Katie Cork, has resigned from her position, effective March 1, 2024. This position will be removed from the Opera House and added at the City level to create a more global position that will serve the City’s various departments. The new position will report to the Executive Director of Business Development, Danielle Gulli. While some day-to-day responsibilities will need to be absorbed by the remaining Opera House staff, overall staffing should not be greatly impacted by this change. Similarly, the Friends of the Opera House will not be affected by this change and will continue to work directly with Director Campbell. d. Commission Q&A C. Vohs Demann asked for clarification on the role of this Commission and how they can best assist Director Campbell and the Opera House. Director Campbell explained that this Commission is encouraged to share information with the goal of strengthening and improving communication among all the parties invested in and utilizing the facility. Additionally, Commission members should feel free to ask questions and make suggestions that can improve the Opera House as a community asset. B. Cosgray added that Commission members are also encouraged to add items to the agenda. VI. ADJOURNMENT C. Vohs Demann motioned to adjourn the meeting, and J. Svalander seconded. Ayes: Keith Johnson, Jeff Kleinschmidt, Cassandra Vohs Demann, Peggy Hart, Judith Svalander, Mary Ellen Prindiville. Nays: none. Absent: Roger Zawacki. Motion to adjourn passed. Meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m. 2024 Advisory Meetings: Jan. 16, Feb. 20, Mar. 19, May 21, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19. The next meeting: March 19, 2024 Respectfully Submitted, Tiara Thayer Clerk