HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20240410.Regular
Wheeler Advisory Board Minutes
April 10th, 2024 | 3:00 p.m.
In Attendance:
Wheeler Opera House Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller, Chair; Amy Mountjoy, Vice-Chair; Ziska
Childs; Nina Gabianelli; Richard Stettner* and Kate Northfield Lanich.
Wheeler Opera House Staff: Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director; Nicole Levesque*, Marketing
Director; Michael Baca, Production Manager; Maddy Overton*, Rentals; Alixandra Feeley, Business
Manager; Malia Machado, Programs Administrator; Alex Glen, Front of House Supervisor; and Karen
McConnell, Administrative & Artistic Specialist.
Absent: Daniel Benavent
*Attended via Zoom
Recorder: Karen McConnell
Chair Chip Fuller called the meeting to order at 3:04 PM
Chair Fuller asked for a motion to approve the March minutes and remarked that there were no edits.
Dr. Kurt moved, Nina Gabianelli seconded, approving the March 13th, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion
passed unanimously.
Chair Fuller asked for public comment. No members of the public were present.
Executive Director Lisa Rigsby Peterson provided the following Wheeler updates:
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was held the previous evening. Wonderful gathering and show of
appreciation. Great work by staff members Alex, Malia and Risa who hosted honoring approximately 45
volunteers.
Ticket sales update was sent to the board. Recently we’ve had great houses and positive feedback on
the variety of work presented in recent events. Ms. Rigsby-Peterson shared recent and upcoming
events and encouraged board members to attend Compagnia TPO the following Friday evening for
truly beautiful imagery inspired by the Roaring Fork Valley.
Wheeler’s 40th anniversary Memorial Day Weekend will feature Peach Tree Revival Friday night then
Judy Collins Saturday night. Ticket price is $19.84. 2 tickets for every board member for Judy Collins
will be on placed on hold and invitations sent to all board members. Children’s activities are being
planned for the parcel. Alex and Risa had opportunity to speak with King Woodward, inaugural Wheeler
board member, recently and obtain great stories from him. Memorabilia is being gathered and a display
in the lobby which may continue through summer.
Unexpected staffing issues have occurred this spring which have delayed season planning. 2 vault bar
performances are currently under consideration each month in October, November and December.
We’re avoiding ‘on stage’ events the last 2-3 weeks of the project due to the impending rigging project.
John Denver annual festival attendees have been informed of the conflict due to the rigging project.
Mountain Chalet has hosted a singalong however that venue will be undergoing renovations so
consideration is being given to inviting the singalong to occur in the bar lobby that weekend and
perhaps John Denver videos from the Historical Society being played in the bar lobby.
Additional upcoming 2025 family shows were shared by Ms. Rigsby Peterson.
Aspen Laugh Festival is being scrutinized to be held the 2nd or 3rd week of March which will be a shift in
scheduling.
Staffing Update: Pleased to report that Nicole Levesque is back in a reduced schedule. Karen
McConnell is back with us and Alix Feeley will be leaving soon for maternity leave. Ms. Feeley was
commended for her diligence in assuring smooth coverage during her upcoming maternity leave.
Ginger Kennington, formerly of Theatre Aspen, has been hired as the new ticketing coordinator in the
Box Office and will join staff end of April.
Financials were sent to Board members. Some labor coding issues remain. It’s a more simplified
format; however some changes need to be resolved and hopeful that they’ll be more clear going
forward. Board members had no questions.
Aspen Public House lease has been amended temporarily. Open for lunch Saturdays and Sundays
through Memorial Day June 1 – end of September they are required to be open 7 days a week for
lunch. Initially council was willing to extend through the calendar year; however, after consideration
they plan to reevaluate at the end of summer to determine if Bill has found strategies which will enable
him to have the restaurant open more at lunchtime.
Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared she’d met with DJ Watkins today on transition for the gallery. Mia will have
no big hurray just a quiet leave. Her items will be out in entirety by the end of April. The Board plans to
present her with flowers and a letter of thanks for her 17 years. DJ will move in seamlessly by May 9th.
He’s lined up 6 artists and is planning on artist participation and have a great opening. DJ’s signage at
the gallery will be clean and the gallery will be open to the public nearly all the time. Chair Fuller asked
Ms. Rigsby Peterson to draft a letter of thanks that he can send to Mia on behalf of the Board.
Update was provided for Ms. Rigsby Peterson’s departure in August. Her hope is to work on
recruitment and perhaps have crossover with the new person. Diane Foster, Assistant City Manager,
and Ms. Rigsby Peterson will meet on search criteria for the new director and as soon as plans are
solidified the board will know. The Board was invited to share their input with Diane Foster. Ms. Rigsby
Peterson praised the Wheeler staff for their strength and abilities.
Chair Fuller requested Board Discussion of the following:
Dr. Tom Kurt mentioned parcel lots during Food & Wine and placement of a tent there for summer.
Maddy Overton reported that Food & Wine has the parcel in their contract, specifics are not confirmed.
Ms. Childs replied that first and second uses of the parcel she had heard were food trucks were
suggested by neighbors of the Wheeler, including nearby restaurants, and games. Mr. Stettner reported
placement of tents in the parcel need a permit and staffing which may have a cost incurred. For the 40th
anniversary celebration, distribution of popsicles, cake or cake pops, etc. was suggested and board
members present offered assistance. Ms. Gabianelli offered to assist Travis McDiffett of the Historical
Society with historical stories and AHS presence.
Board members questioned the lot next door. Ms. Childs inquired concerning what is entailed in
activating the space. Discussion ensued. Ms. Rigsby Peterson will check into utilities beneath the
parcel and report to the board.
Ms. Rigsby Peterson reported on aspects of the Arts and Culture RETT which the Board had planned to
discuss with Council (along with recommendation of the parcel for housing) and they explored the
timing of mentioning those items. Chair Fuller will work on informing Council about the Board’s
“Wheeler First” recommendation. The overall sense was to wait further on the parcel recommendation,
especially with the question about utilities beneath the parcel..
Board meeting communication standardization and meeting format in general has been sought by City
Council. More to come on that.
Kate Northfield Lanich reported Aspen Music Festival ticket sales begin soon, including a collaboration
with Theatre Aspen for a concert version of Fiddler on the Roof. Snowmass Collective is having a multi-
day event mid-July as reported by Amy Mountjoy.
Judy Collins announce is April 16th. Tickets go on sale April 17th. 2 tickets for sale will be held for every
board member for the event on May 25th. Board members were encouraged make Ms. Rigsby
Peterson aware of their intent for tickets.
Chair Fuller mentioned the annual “skip” month for summer for Board consideration which will be
determined at a future board meeting – board members indicated an early preference for July.
Final item was Daniel Benavent’s proposal for the annual staff appreciation meal which will take place
June 4th. Dr. Kurt moved and Nina Gabianelli seconded the motion to adjourn. The motion passed and
the meeting concluded at 3:47 pm.
Future Meetings Schedule
May 8, 2024 3:00 p.m.
June 12, 2024 3:00 p.m.
July 10, 2024 3:00 p.m. tbd