UPACA Board of Director meeting minutes - approved
Notice Type(s)
Meeting
Event Start Date & Time
April 23, 2026 09:00 AM
Event End Date & Time
April 23, 2026 10:00 AM
Description/Agenda
UPACA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Date: April 23, 2026 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 9:59 a.m. Location: O.C. Tanner Lounge, Eccles Theater (with Cisco WebEx option)
Attendance
Board Members and Staff Present: Sarah Dibble, Lata, Matt Castillo, Ross Romero, Helen Langan, Danny Walz, Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin, Taylee Foulger, David Hallock, Cate Kizerian, Jacque Jones, Rachel Otto, Angela Vanderwell, Jim Martin, Robin Chalhoub, and Katie Riggs-Hansen.
1. Call to Order
Ms. Darby-Duffin called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
Welcome
Ms. Darby-Duffin welcomed attendees.
Public Comments
No public comments were received.
2. Approval of Minutes
February 19, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
- Motion: Mr. Romero moved to approve the minutes.
- Second: Mr. Walz.
- Vote: Unanimously approved.
3. UPACA Food & Beverage Subcommittee Recommendation - Tin Angel Restaurant
Presenters: Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin, Helen Langan, Danny Walz
Ms. Vanderwell provided background regarding a request submitted by Tin Angel Restaurant. The subcommittee reviewed correspondence outlining the restaurant's concerns and requests.
Subcommittee Recommendations
The subcommittee recommended:
- Waiver of $5,000 in past-due commission to offset revenue losses resulting from the October internet outage.
- Assistance with the $3,000 patio encroachment fee during the summer 2026 closure period (July 14-August 19).
- Coverage of $2,000 per month in fixed operating costs during theater closures exceeding 30 days.
Conditions
Recommendations were contingent upon:
- Tin Angel provides detailed documentation of fixed operating expenses.
- Continued lunch service Tuesday through Friday for the remainder of the contract beginning September 1.
The Board emphasized that maintaining lunch service is a priority and that failure to do so could result in termination of the agreement.
Discussion
Board members discussed:
- The importance of maintaining consistent restaurant operations, including lunch service.
- The role of the restaurant in increasing public access to the facility and encouraging attendance at performances.
- Opportunities for additional marketing support and outreach efforts.
- Referral of marketing and follow-up initiatives to Arts & Culture staff for further review.
Action
- Motion: Mr. Romero moved to approve the Food & Beverage Subcommittee recommendations.
- Second: Mr. Walz.
- Vote: Unanimously approved.
4. Eccles Theater Technical Outreach (ETTO) - 2025 Program Highlights
Presenters: David Hallock and Cate Kizerian
Mr. Hallock and Ms. Kizerian presented a review of ETTO program activities for 2025.
Program Highlights
- Conducted 14 ETTO experiences with 219 participants, up from 175 participants in 2024.
- Training topics included:
o Intro to IP Networking for Live Production
o Intro to Sound
o Intro to Lighting
o Intro to Entertainment Networking
o Journey from Page to Stage (Life of Pi)
o Live Audio
o Company Management (Wicked)
o Sound Engineering
o Wardrobe and Costume Masterclasses
o Digital Audio Console Fundamentals
Partnership Development
The program continued to strengthen partnerships with:
- Weber State University
- University of Utah
- Salt Lake Community College
- Brigham Young University
- Park City High School
Future Focus
- Expand technical theater workforce development efforts in preparation for the 2034 Olympic Games.
- Introduce additional panel discussions on industry trends.
- Continue offering high-demand Broadway-related programming and practical stage management experience.
Mr. Castillo acknowledged the significant contributions of Mr. Hallock, Ms. Kizerian, and their colleagues and expressed appreciation for the establishment and continued success of the ETTO program.
5. Eccles Theater 2025 Year-End Annual Report
Presenters: Matt Castillo and Angela Vanderwell
Ms. Vanderwell presented a comprehensive review of the 2025 season.
Broadway at the Eccles
- 8 season titles
- 129 performances
- 258,220 attendees
- 277,576 tickets sold
- 13,167 new patrons
- 88.49% occupancy
Live at the Eccles
- 29 titles
- 41 performances
- 63,725 attendees
- 71,022 tickets sold
- 13,695 new patrons
- 74.49% occupancy
Arts for All Program
Broadway at the Eccles
- 1,313 tickets issued
- 1,260 attendees
- 96% utilization rate (up from 92% in 2024)
Live at the Eccles
- 429 tickets issued
- 404 attendees
- 94% utilization rate (up from 62% in 2024)
Community Engagement
- Community activation events attendance: 6,113 (up from 4,985 in 2024)
- Participating artists/groups: 63 (up from 50 in 2024)
Patron Services
- Contributed 21,088 volunteer hours.
- Eccles Usher Program launched successfully and is expected to expand in 2026.
- Delta Hall hosted the Annual Season Kickoff event for Patron Services volunteers.
Financial and Operational Review
The Board reviewed:
- Unaudited 2025 Eccles Building Operating Budget Report.
- Unaudited UPACA Net Operating Income Distribution to Owners Report.
Additional Highlights
- Regent Street Black Box attendance increased by 10% over 2024.
- Delta Hall hosted 10 events with 22,952 tickets issued, compared to 4 events and 13,549 tickets in 2024.
- Ticket sales remain concentrated along the Wasatch Front, accounting for 91% of all sales.
- Leading counties: Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, and Utah.
Attendance Summary
Venue
2025
2024
2023
2022
Delta Hall
340,327
415,966
300,166
363,688
Overall Building
342,317
418,794
300,673
363,501
Regent Street Black Box
7,217
6,338
8,802
N/A
Total Site Attendance
18,418
18,181
13,614
N/A
Ms. Vanderwell noted a decline in ticket sales from Arizona, though the cause remains unclear.
Questions and discussion followed, and all inquiries were addressed.
6. Current Budget and Activity Reports
Presenter: Sarah Dibble
Mr. Castillo noted that reports had been distributed in advance and, due to time constraints, the presentation was omitted.
No questions were raised by Board members.
7. Director's Updates
Presenters: Matt Castillo and Angela Vanderwell
Mr. Castillo and Ms. Vanderwell informed the Board of upcoming Salt Lake County Arts & Culture and Eccles Theater events and activities.
8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:59 a.m.
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Angela Vanderwell at avanderwell@slco.org.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
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