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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20220112.Regular Wheeler Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 12, 2022, | 3:00 p.m. Via Zoom In Attendance: Wheeler Opera House Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller, Chair; Christine Benedetti, Vice Chair; Amy Mountjoy, Secretary; Dr. Tom Kurt; Nina Gabianelli; Richard Stettner; Lauren Forman (alternate); Jennifer White (ex officio) Wheeler Opera House/City of Aspen Staff: Diane Foster, Assistant City Manager; Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director; Maddy Overton, Rentals Coordinator; Jeni Hepler, Box Office Manager City Council Liaison: Mayor Torre Meeting Recorder: David Laughren Chair Chip Fuller called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. A motion was made by Nina Gabianelli and seconded by Amy Mountjoy to approve the December 2021 minutes. The motion passed unanimously. WHEELER UPDATES, Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director COVID Update Ms. Rigsby Peterson updated the Board on COVID-related issues faced by the Wheeler over the past four weeks. Holiday shows were postponed, as were rental events such as the SkiCo 75th Anniversary celebration and the planned Theatre Aspen collaboration on Rocky Horror Live. Additionally, Wheeler staff have been exposed to COVID outside of the workplace and as a result many staff members have had to quarantine. Due to the surge in the Omicron variant, Ms. Rigsby Peterson presented a proposal to City Council this week to update Wheeler COVID protocols, including switching to a same-day negative test requirement as well as the ability to limit attendance to 50% of capacity if the COVID situation warrants. She is grateful for Council’s support of both recommendations. With the addition of a 7-day a week testing site on the Wheeler parcel (AspenRona Testing), it will be convenient for non-vaccinated patrons to get a same-day test. Programming Update Programming has changed considerably due to current circumstances. In positive news, there are two performances scheduled for this week, even as we see significant ticket buyer hesitancy. Both performances are capped at a limited 225-seat capacity. Given all of the current factors, and the sense that things will not return to normal soon, after much consideration the decision has been made to postpone the 2022 Laugh Festival. It does not make sense to put on a watered-down, scaled- back version of a festival that our community knows and loves. The board will be updated about rescheduling as plans come together. The two Jim Gaffigan performances will be moving forward. At this point in the year, the Wheeler team focus turns towards programming for the upcoming season. While the New York booking conference has been shifted to online only, Ms. Rigsby Peterson will be attending virtually and working with her team to begin designing the upcoming season. Staffing Update Ms. Rigsby Peterson announced that Craig Moxon, formerly of Theatre Aspen, has joined the Wheeler Team as Production Manager. Building Update Roof work on the west side of the building will begin in early January. Awnings are being reinstalled. Several administrative office interior projects are underway. Looking Ahead Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared that she continues to give thought to the vision for the Wheeler and its place in the community. She asked if the Board would like to engage in conversation on this topic in the coming months. Chair Fuller suggested placing it on the February board agenda. BOARD DISCUSSION Dr. Tom Kurt commented that the retail spaces in the Wheeler are important to our finances. He suggested a “We Are Open” message from those businesses. Amy Mountjoy asked if the rental spaces are at full rent. Ms. Rigsby Peterson replied that as of January 1, 2022 all rents are back at full rate. Chair Fuller asked about the financial impact of show cancellations and how that impacted decision making for the spring schedule. Lisa replied that expenses were estimated at $30,000 and foregone income was estimated at $40,000. She expressed that performer relationships were well maintained, and they were able to arrive at reasonable fees. Dr. Kurt mentioned that from a public health point of view, he sees no major changes from the Pitkin County Board of Health. He also commented that the same developer who purchased the Crystal Palace building has purchased buildings across the street from the Wheeler. He suggested that pressure from the Wheeler and the community should be applied to not allow any demolition or construction on that site until the “Crystal Palace” building has been completed. Nina Gabianelli commented that she is very optimistic for 2022. Chair Fuller adjourned the meeting at 3:39pm.