Performing Arts Center Board — Skokie, IL
Date: 2022-09-12

AGENDA
 VILLAGE OF SKOKIE
 PERFORMING ARTS CENTER BOARD


September 12, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN SKOKIE
Conference Room


1. CALL TO ORDER


2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
 A. Board Meeting July 11, 2022


3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 A. July 31, 2022


4. OPERATIONS REPORT / PFM
 A. Executive Director’s Report
 B. Programming Update
 C. Calendar of Upcoming Events


5. OLD BUSINESS
 A. Management Firm Transition


6. NEW BUSINESS
 A. VenuWorks of Skokie/North Shore Center Business Plan
 B. Foundation Benefit featuring Fleetwood Mask – November 19, 2022


7. ADJOURNMENT



The next PAC Board meeting is Monday, October 10, 2022

MINUTES OF
 VILLAGE OF SKOKfE
 PERFORMING ARTS CENTER BOARD
 Monday, September 12. 2022 7:00 P.M.



A REGULAR MEETING OF the Performing Arts Center Board was held at the North Shore Center for the
Performing Arts in Skokie. Hiinols, on Monday, September 12, 2022.

CALL TO ORDER: The Regular Meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. Barry Layfer made
the motion to approve the Minutes. The motion was seconded by Janis Fine. The Minutes were then
approved by the Board.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Terrence Guoiee; Janis Fine; Barry Layfer; Barbara Reeder; Andrea
Siegel; Ann Tennes (Village staff liaison)

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Dan Kelch; Norm Rosen (ex-officio); Rene Roy

OTHERS PRESENT: General Manager Michae! Pauken; Director of Marketing & Communications Joseph
A!aimo; Manager of Concerts/Marketing Assistant Merriil Miller


OPERATIONS REPORT:

Pauken reported that staff spent much of the summer working on matters related to the management
transition from PFM to VenuWorks. This officially took effect on July 1, but in practice has been a process
that has played out over many weeks. VenuWorks handles accounting at the building level, so a new
business manager has been hired. Her name is Steph Shryock and she begins on September 22. Former
events manager Tiffany Tuck departed in June and has been replaced with Lyndee Hallahan, who started
in August.

Perhaps the biggest challenge of the summer was the transition of ticketing systems from Paciolan to
Ticketmaster. This is an immensely complex endeavor with enormous amounts of data that must be
migrated. The various demands and marketing needs of our Feature Series shows, resident companies
and rental organizations all need to be met. The Center started selling tickets on the Ticketmaster platform
on September 1. Pauken said the numerous reporting functions that they need are still a work in progress.

tt took several weeks longer than expected, but VenuWorks of Skokie LLC obtained its liquor license at the
end of July.

Over the past couple of months, various VenuWorks corporate staff have visited the North Shore Center
including an !.T. team, Regional Vice President John Siehi, Vice President of Human Resources Angela
Bohlen, Vice President of Food and Beverage Russ Ferguson and Controller Mike Piehl.

Pauken included with the board packet a copy of the business plan VenuWorks prepared for the Village as
stipulated in the new management agreement.



CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS:

On the capita! improvement front, Pauken reported that the replacement of the roofs of both theatres
(funded by the Village of Skokie) has proceeded through the summer. The roof over the main hall Is
complete. The roof of the North Theatre was scheduled to be done by August 26, but work continues.
Pauken explained that with Northlight back in production, roof work has to stop at noon on most days.
Pauken reported that an architect has been hired for the renovation of the entrance canopies. Pauken
included some renderings of the proposed design with the board packet. It is hoped the project wii! go out
for bid !ater this fall. Pauken said he will also be in communication with the Viilage to discuss plans for
repairs to the upper portion of the front facade and the replacement of the fabric sails. The replacement of
the HVAC system serving the backstage areas of the main theatre will move forward this fail as well. It was
explained that Is the oldest of the Center's major units, has ceased operating properly, and the repair cost
is too high to justify on such an old unit. The other major Village-funded project is the installation of a new
back-up power generator to supply electricity to emergency lights and exit signs in the event of a power
failure. The old battery system that was original to the building was deemed too old to repair.


PROGRAMMING/MARKETING:

The Center's Feature Series begins on September 23 with comedian JB Smoove. The oft-rescheduied
(and sold-out) Steven Wright follows on October 6. The fall schedule also includes 50th anniversary
performances by The Manhattan Transfer with the Diva Jazz Orchestra on October 15 and Canadian Brass
on November 18 as wei! as Fleetwood Mask, a Tribute to Fleetwood Mac approved by Mick Fteetwood, on
November 19. It was reported that NSCPA Foundation is holding its annual benefit in association with the
Fleetwood Mask performance. Pauken added that as in years past the Center partners with outside
promoters to bolster programming while reducing risk and will host biues artist Joanne Shaw Tayior on
October 28 and the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine performing Swan Lake on November 16.

Miller and Alaimo discussed the 2022-23 Feature Series season and marketing plans for upcoming shows.
In recent weeks the Center confirmed Feature Series performances of the Elvis Tribute Artists Spectacular
(1/7; rental), BritBeat (2/18); Lewis Black (3/24 & 25) and Paula Poundstone (4/1). Miller said that several
music acts for the spring are looking encouraging.

New artists were reviewed for Board endorsement, including Tab Benoit, Vitamin String Quartet, Gipsy Kings.
Macy Gray, The Waiters, The Psychedelic Furs, Gary Gulman, Dave Mason, Darlingside. Hot Tuna, Robert
Glasper, A!y & AJ, and Dom Remons.

Pauken said the Center is restarting the Youtheatre program this coming winter after a two-year pandemic-
imposed hiatus. There are four shows scheduled at present, all returns of past favorites.

NorthHght ended their 2021-22 season in mid-August with the charming Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Just as
Music Theater Works opened Zorro the Musical in the main hafl. Northlight began their 2022-23 season on
September 1 with The Garbologists. Music Theater Works opens Camelot in the North Theatre on October
20.



FINANCIALS:

Pauken included the financial statements for the month of July in the board packet. Due to the management
transition and the temporary manner in which the financials are being prepared, it is not possible at this time to
provide a budget comparison.



OLD BUSINESS:

The Board discussed the status resident companies with respect to ticket sales, lease terms, etc.



NEW BUSINESS:
ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m. after a motion by Barbara Reeder, a second by Barry Layfer, and
a unanimous vote of all present.



Respectfully submitted,


Michael Pauken