Woodstock Opera House Advisory Commission

MINUTES OF THE WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE ADVISORY COMMISSION Tuesday, February 18, 2025 The meeting of the Opera House Advisory Commission of the City of Woodstock was called to order at Stage Left at 4:30 p.m. by Keith Johnson on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. A roll call was taken. I. CALL TO ORDER Present: Keith Johnson, Cassandra Vohs Demann (arrived 4:31 p.m.), Peggy Hart, Judith Svalander, Nan Cibula-Jenkins, Justin Charles. Absent: Jeff Kleinschmidt. Staff: Daniel Campbell (Opera House Director), Betsy Cosgray (Business Operations Manager for the Opera House), Tiara Thayer (Commission Clerk). II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES N. Cibula-Jenkins motioned to accept the November 19, 2024 meeting minutes as corrected, and P. Hart seconded. Ayes: Keith Johnson, Cassandra Vohs Demann, Peggy Hart, Judith Svalander, Nan Cibula-Jenkins, and Justin Charles Nays: none. Absent: Jeff Kleinschmidt. Motion to accept the November 19, 2024 meeting minutes passed. III. COMMUNICATIONS a. Opera House Director’s Report: Daniel Campbell reported that the Groundhog Day Prognostication was once again, a well-attended event. Director Campbell also noted that Woodstock Willie holds a 60% accuracy rate in his prognostications, while Punxsutawney Phil’s accuracy is only 35%. Groundhog Day weekend brought in great sales at the Opera House for Groundhog Day the Musical, but ticket sales decreased the following two weekends. Director Campbell surmised that this may be, in part, due to the four illnesses cutting through the community, in addition to the snow and cold weather. The February Concert Chamber Music on the Fox was canceled due to a lack of sales, indicating that there may be a limited audience for classical music in this area at this time. Programming-wise, this was not the best month for attendance, but programming for March is looking much better in comparison. Director Campbell met with Danielle Gulli (Executive Director of Business Development), Paul Christensen (Deputy City Manager), and Roscoe Stelford (City Manager) concerning the budget. The City is looking to cut costs across the departments, meaning the Opera House may need to cut the less popular programs. Director Campbell reported that the steel is in the process of being installed for the third-story addition, but has been halted due to the weather and 1  will resume this Thursday or Friday. The site manager is confident that the lobby level of the historic theater will be completed by the end of March, and the south annex could be completed as early as May 1st. Discussion ensued concerning how the construction may impact the resident companies’ productions and programs. An engineer is coming out this week to assess the sagging in the stage floor and recommend the best way to repair it and prevent future sagging. Director Campbell noted that the stage floor is still part of this project, so the Opera House should not be responsible for the repair costs. Director Campbell shared that the City of Woodstock applied for the RISE Grant last fall, which has been awarded to the Opera House of approximately one million dollars for Stage Left renovations. This grant will fund a full renovation of Stage Left. b. Commission Chair Comments: Keith Johnson None. c. Commission Member Comments: Cassandra Vohs Demann (Member at Large) reported that the choir is rehearsing for their Spring Concert on May 4th. On March 23rd, the Kishwaukee Brewing Co. will be hosting a fundraising bingo event for the choir. The Fall Gala will be hosted at the Ethereal event space in the Old Courthouse this year. C. Vohs Demann is resigning from the Woodstock Community Choir this year, to be succeeded by Jessica Neihengen. P. Hart offered her compliments to C. Vohs Demann for founding such an amazing and inclusive community organization. Peggy Hart (Friends of the Opera House) shared that the Cocktails with Willie fundraiser saw fewer attendees this year, with only 40 people in attendance. However, there was more space to move around and socialize, and it proved to be a very pleasant evening. The Friends will continue hosting two events for seniors and will be introducing a second event for the youth demographic: Acapella on the Square. This youth program will serve middle and high-school-aged individuals to increase their interest in music and band. Proceeds from ticket sales for this program will go towards lowering band fees. Justin Charles (Theatre 121) reiterated that Groundhog Day the Musical did great on Groundhog Day weekend, but the following weekends did not sell as well as they had hoped. Judith Svalander (Judith Svalander Dance Theatre) stated that her dancers performed at the Winter Festival of Dance in Schaumburg and received good feedback from the dancers. Additionally, the dancers were able to serve as a representation of the Woodstock Opera House. Nan Cibula-Jenkins (Woodstock Fine Arts Association) promoted this week’s Creative Living series speaker, Patrick Bringley, and invited everyone to attend. Jeff Kleinschmidt Absent. 2 IV. OLD BUSINESS a. DCEO Updates and Project Communications Discussed during the Director’s Report. b. Programming Outreach & Community Feedback The Opera House hosted an open house last Monday to discuss the Opera House’s programming plans. Sixteen people attended and provided useful information, but a lot of the feedback received was information that the Opera House was already aware of, at least to some extent. Director Campbell recommended that the Opera House continue holding quarterly feedback events. C. Vohs Demann suggested that it may be beneficial to prompt the public to take the lead on the discussion or break into smaller discussion groups. C. Vohs Demann also noted that there should be a clearer objective for the meetings. V. NEW BUSINESS a. Annual Report Document The annual report currently includes two recommendations: J. Kleinschmidt’s recommendation for a dedicated marketing position for the Opera House and C. Vohs Demann’s recommendation to determine and define the identity of Stage Left as a creative space. Chairperson Johnson asked if the Commission should include a point to continue developing children’s programming alongside education that cultivated a profound interest in the fine and performing arts. The Commission agreed to include that point, and discussion ensued concerning ways the resident companies can include the youth demographic in their respective programming. b. Final Message from Director Daniel Campbell Director Campbell informed the Commission that he is resigning from his position effective March 28th for primarily personal, but also professional, reasons. Director Campbell shared that he has worked at the Woodstock Opera House since 1996 and not only did this facility become important to him, but it allowed him to reach professional achievements he did not initially have his eye on. After much reflection this year, Director Campbell has decided it is now time to focus on his artistic goals and personal needs. Director Campbell will be working with his team and Danielle Gulli at the City to ensure a successful transition into limbo and over to a new director. The Commission offered their sincere thanks and gratitude to Director Campbell for his dedicated service to this institution. Director Campbell recommended that the Commission continue to support the artistic needs of the Opera House and the community. 3  VI. ADJOURNMENT C. Vohs Demann motioned to adjourn the meeting, and J. Svalander seconded. Ayes: Keith Johnson, Cassandra Vohs Demann, Peggy Hart, Judith Svalander, Nan Cibula- Jenkins, and Justin Charles. Nays: none. Absent: Jeff Kleinschmidt. Motion to adjourn passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. 2025 Advisory Meetings: Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 18, May 20, Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18. The next meeting: March 18, 2025. Respectfully Submitted, Tiara Thayer Commission Clerk 4