HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20221214.Regular1
Wheeler Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
December 14, 2022 | 3:00 p.m.
In Attendance:
Wheeler Opera House Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller, Chair; Amy Mountjoy, Vice-Chair;
Dr. Tom Kurt, Secretary; Daniel Benavent; Nina Gabianelli; Richard Stettner
Wheeler Opera House/City of Aspen Staff: Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director; Alixandra
Feeley, Business Manager; Karen McConnell, Administrative & Artistic Specialist
Absent:
Ziska Childs, Lauren Forman (alternate), and Jennifer White (ex-officio, MAA)
Meeting Recorder: Karen McConnell
Chair Chip Fuller called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.
Daniel Benavent moved to approve the November minutes. Nina Gabianelli seconded. The
motion passed unanimously.
Wheeler Updates, Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director
Ms. Rigsby Peterson welcomed board members and introduced Karen McConnell who recently
joined the Wheeler as Administrative & Artistic Specialist. Ms. Rigsby Peterson announced with
pleasure that Malia Machado had fully assumed her role as Programs Administrator. The
Wheeler team is now fully staffed with the addition of Ashley Massow as Front of House
Coordinator and Katherine (Kat) Killmeyer as Patron Services Specialist.
Reviewing the event calendar, she highlighted the locally created and community-focused
content of the past week as well as future collaborations with Belly Up and Aspen Public Radio.
Looking ahead, January, February, and March have a robust confirmed schedule with a few
openings held for programming opportunities that may arise. Ms. Rigsby Peterson noted that
this year’s event calendar was finalized in September 2022 and going forward into 2023 and
beyond she anticipates finalizing the season much earlier.
The 40th Anniversary of the Wheeler’s grand re-opening (and the 135th of the building) is a
cause for celebration in 2024 and Ms. Rigsby Peterson asked the Board to consider ideas and
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themes for this monumental celebration which also coincides with the 75th Anniversary of the
Aspen Music Festival and School.
With the closing of the Bar Operator RFP (request for proposal), Ms. Rigsby Peterson is hopeful
for a successful partnership with an operator in the new year.
Providing an update on the capital project to replace theatrical rigging, Ms. Rigsby Peterson
noted that in 2023, structural engineers will take core samples to analyze the wooden beams
burned during the 1912 fires. They will assess the species of the wood, which provides greater
details about its strength, as well as a core sample to determine how much of the wood is still
intact. This information directly affects Barbizon’s understanding of, planning for, and overall
success of the Theatrical Rigging project.
The Board members present reviewed the current year-to-date financials. Other than minor
adjustments to projected RETT collections, there were no significant changes in Budget
projections.
Ms. Rigsby Peterson announced she’ll attend the Association of Performing Arts Professionals
(APAP) booking conference in New York this January. An opportunity to scout artists, view
showcases, and meet with other agents, APAP is a great opportunity for the development of
Wheeler programming and relationship-building with agents.
Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared that the Wheeler staff had completed visioning sessions similar to
the one completed by the Board. Look for a presentation of themes in a joint session of the
Board and staff in February 2023.
Board Discussion
When reviewing the Wheeler Advisory Board Bylaws, members present asked Wheeler staff to
consult the City Attorney’s office for clarification and refinement and will rediscuss at the next
Board meeting on January 11, 2023.
There was conversation about Wheeler Advisory Board members sitting on other local non-
profit boards as city representatives, however the board concluded this would be up to each
individual organization to invite such participation. Chairman Fuller stated that community non-
profit representatives are always welcome to attend Wheeler Advisory Board meetings.
One (1) Advisory Board member position is up for renewal in the upcoming months.
After a brief and thoughtful discussion, the start time for meetings was changed to 3:30 pm for
the immediate future, which can be changed, if necessary. Meetings will still be held on the
second Wednesday of the month.
Chair Fuller moved to adjourn; Daniel Benavent seconded. The meeting concluded at 3:50 p.m.
Future Meetings Schedule
January 11, 2023, 3:30 p.m.
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February 8, 2023, 3:30 p.m.
March 8, 2023, 3:30 p.m.