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O'Fallon Cultural Arts Commission reviews Celebration of Lights revenues and theatre plans; OTW sets spring musical revue auditions
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Summary
Commissioners heard a tourism and cultural-arts update: Celebration of Lights generated $291,760 in ticket revenue (25,572 tickets sold), O'Fallon Theatre Works reported seasonal ticket sales, and staff previewed an April musical revue with auditions in February and plans tied to the theatre renovation timetable.
At its first 2026 meeting, the O'Fallon Cultural Arts Commission received seasonal reports showing strong ticket sales for winter programming and a status update on the theatre renovation that will affect upcoming productions.
Tourism staff summarized the Celebration of Lights season and reported total ticket revenue of $291,760 from 25,572 tickets sold; 22,728 tickets were scanned at events, leaving roughly 2,800 tickets unscanned, a level staff said aligns with an expected 7–10% no-show/unscanned rate (SEG 094-113). Staff also reported partnership revenues and ancillary ticket income including trolley revenue ($14,486 reported as the city's cut) and sleigh/hay-ride receipts.
Dana Degnan, who introduced herself to the commission, gave the cultural-arts update and the O'Fallon Theatre Works (OTW) summary. Degnan reported that the production of 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' generated $19,026 in sales and noted judge comps and potential award nominations from Arts for Life Saint Louis. OTW year-end figures presented by staff showed 3,557 tickets sold and $8,979.11 in revenue for the OTW season segment referenced in the packet (SEG 170-176; SEG 401-406).
On the theatre renovation, staff said the master plan and design work are complete and the project is advancing through required approval steps. The plan will be presented to city council for review by the city's engineering/professional management lead (Chris Clerks referenced in the discussion); staff noted the project is now in pricing stages and next steps will depend on council feedback (SEG 344-360).
New business included programming plans for OTW. Staff described an OTW musical revue titled 'OTW in Concert — celebrating freedom' tied to the America250 theme, scheduled for April (transcript lists dates as '04/10/1112' in the packet) with auditions in February and Heather Myers named as director for her OTW debut. Staff said the revue will be presented in the upstairs theaters and will serve as OTW's last production before renovations begin.
Commissioners and staff also discussed how renovation timing could affect programming and ticketing projections; the commission expressed optimism that a renovated theatre could grow future attendance. No formal action was taken on the renovation at this meeting beyond the status update.
The commission adjourned after other agenda items.
