Inspire Entertain EDUCATE
Dear Vilar friends,
On behalf of the Vilar Committee and staff, thank you for being an essential part of our community. Your support reflects a shared belief in what the performing arts can do: inspire, educate, and entertain our community.
This report is an opportunity to reflect on the impact of that belief over the past year. Throughout these pages, you’ll see the many ways your support shapes moments of artistry, connection, learning and belonging. We encourage you to look beyond the results themselves and see what they represent: world-class artists on an intimate stage, audiences moved by shared experience, students encountering new possibilities and a community more deeply connected through the performing arts.
As our impact grows, so does the opportunity before us. With your partnership, we are building toward a future where artistic excellence and community come together in powerful ways.
Whether you have supported the Vilar since its earliest days or joined us more recently, your investment is a vote of confidence in that future. We are grateful to share this work with you, and we dedicate this report to the impact you make possible.
With gratitude,
Alexia Jurschak Vilar Committee Chair
THANK YOU to our full Vilar staff for their continued dedication to the Vilar mission.
Erik Brown Director of Special Projects & Infrastructure
Andie Cott Box Office Manager
Dean Davis Facilities Manager
Lauren Gary Director of Ticketing
Elizabeth Gihle Box Office Manager
Ruthie Hamrick Director of Marketing
Kenneth J. Howell Food & Beverage Manager
Shane Huebner Director of Production & Operations
Owen Hutchinson Artistic Director
Harry Jaffe Arts Education & Community Engagement Manager
Cheyenne Mendoza Technical Director
Tess Reinhold Senior Artistic Operations Manager
Kate York Production Manager
Vilar Performing Arts Center committee members
Alexia Jurschak, Chair
Catherine Borbone
Jim Clancy
Kevin Duncan
Bruce Goldman
Laureen Hopkins
David Hyde
Chris Jarnot
David Kochel
Dori Meyers
Joe Mongrain
Bobby Murphy
Philip Pillsbury
Doug Rippeto
William Verity
Gary Woodworth
Kristy Woolfolk
mission statement
To provide performing arts leadership, engagement and education for our mountain community, visitors and partners.
vision statement
To be a beacon of live entertainment and cultural enrichment, inspiring a love and appreciation of the performing arts.
Cameron Morgan Vilar Executive Director
Thank You to Our Generous Supporters
Since its inception, the Vilar Performing Arts Center, operated by the Vail Valley Foundation, has been a cultural cornerstone of the Vail Valley, enriching our community through the power of the performing arts.
As a nonprofit organization, our ability to present worldclass performances, deliver meaningful education programs and offer inclusive community engagement is made possible through a strong network of donors, partners and supporters who share in our mission.
Thank You Volunteers
Thank you to our amazing volunteers for all of the time and hard work they contributed to make this year a success.
This funding breakdown illustrates the collective support required to sustain our impact and ensure the Vilar remains a vibrant, enduring force in the cultural life of our community.
The statistics and stories highlighted in the Vilar’s Impact Report wouldn’t be possible without your support. Thank you for helping us inspire, educate and entertain!
Looking Ahead
This past year, the Vilar achieved a record 79% average occupancy, a clear sign that our artistic vision is resonating with audiences. Building on that success, we will continue investing in audience favorites, including high-demand concerts and Broadway programming, while expanding in areas where we have seen meaningful recent success, including classical, dance and jazz.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to honoring the artistic traditions that have shaped the Vilar’s legacy, while opening our stage to bold new voices and fresh perspectives.
Our programming will continue to evolve, guided by both the enduring power of masterworks and the creative spark of experimentation. Together, these efforts will broaden what audiences can experience here and deepen the artistic impact of every season.
Looking Back
1. Jacob Collier, July 27, 2025.
2. Sinfónica de Minería, January 31, 2026.
3. The Revivalists, February 6, 2026.
4. Keller Williams, September 18, 2025.
5. Compagnie Hervé Koubi, February 14, 2026.
6. Midland, August 8, 2025.
7. Onstage audience during the Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet, December 22, 2025.
8. Keb’ Mo’, August 28, 2025.
9. Trisha Yearwood, March 8, 2026.
10. Ailey II, January 15, 2026.
11. Lang Lang in Recital, March 17, 2026.
12. Foreigner, February 25, 2026.
champion the performing arts
12 9 8 5 3 2
3 FILM 5 JAZZ 6
Elevate the Vilar Experience
We are creating more unique and engaging ways for audiences to immerse themselves in the performing arts.
Intimate Performances
This year, that priority came to life through eight intimate performances in the May Gallery and onstage, where audiences were seated just feet away from the artists. Audiences responded enthusiastically, giving these performances a 97 satisfaction score.
Donor Experiences
290
Individual Annual Vilar Donors
35 New Donors at Patron Level or Above
We extended this approach through an exclusive Après Party, generously hosted by the Pyott family for Platinum Club donors. The gathering brought donors together around an exceptional artistic performance in a vibrant social setting, strengthening their relationship to the performing arts and each other.
Deeper Connections
Together, these elevated experiences are helping people feel closer to the performing arts, to one another and to the mission their support makes possible. They strengthen the Vilar’s ability to create meaningful cultural moments and cultivate an audience and donor community that is both growing and enduring.
love for the locals
Community through Live Performance
Building on the spirit of Underground Sound, which began in 2010 to make exceptional up-and-coming artists more accessible, Love for the Locals launched this year as a year-round community-focused initiative designed to bring people together around live performances.
98 Love for the Locals Net Promoter Score
After a successful first year, the initiative is helping make the Vilar feel more accessible, social and connected to the community it serves. Looking ahead, Love for the Locals will continue creating shared experiences where neighbors gather, new artists are discovered, and live performances reminds us that the arts belong to everyone.
Natalie Tenenbaum performs at the Pyott Residence in Bachelor Gulch, March 10, 2026.
inspire our community
Inspiration and education are at the heart of our mission—offering experiences that go deeper than the performance itself. Below we highlight just a few of the stories and personal moments where that impact reaches beyond the stage.
Provide Arts Education
Through STARS (Support the Arts Reaching Students), the Vilar opens the world of live performance to students across Eagle County and surrounding communities — free of charge. Through specially programmed performances, STARS brings classroom learning to life through the arts, inviting young people to encounter new cultures, artistic traditions, stories, and ways of seeing the world.
26
Free Live Performances for
10,700+
Student Attendees from
25
For some students, STARS may be their first introduction to live performance. For others, it may be one of the only ways they can access the arts due to cost, transportation or other barriers. By removing those barriers, STARS helps ensure that more young people have the opportunity to experience the arts as part of their education.
Public, Private, Charter and Homeschools Across Eagle County and Beyond
studio (March 2026) and more — the locations and organizations we partner with for such special events have grown far beyond the Eagle County School District. Together, these efforts represent an annual investment of over $250,000 in arts education and community access, made possible by donor support.
“STARS doesn’t just provide tickets to a show — it opens doors to curiosity, creativity, and inspiration for our students. It allows our children to see the arts up close and to dream about what they might one day be part of themselves.”
—Rachel Schrepel, Homeschool Parent
“STARS is important because it is a way that people show their talents to others which shows other people that showing what you like and your talent doesn’t need to be a secret.”
—Gypsum Creek Middle School Student
Increase Access to the Arts
Through Community Arts Access
“The Vilar has a very important role in our community because it gives our students the great opportunity to be in contact with art. Children have the right to experience different expressions of art, and the Vilar facilitates the space and the right performances that inspire our kids.”
—Eagle County Teacher, Avon Elementary
As part of our commitment to arts education, the Vilar has expanded STARS beyond its longstanding focus on daytime student performances at the theater, bringing the performing arts to young people in more ways and more places. Today, STARS includes performances at the Vilar, in-school activations, and community-based experiences.
“This year was especially meaningful, as Mariachi Los Camperos visited us in person at Avon Elementary. It was, without a doubt, one of the most outstanding assemblies we have had this year and was truly enjoyed by both students and staff. Hearing teachers and staff sing along to beloved songs from their culture was incredibly moving and created a powerful sense of connection.
—Dana Harrison, Avon Elementary Principal
From Mariachi Los Camperos in the Avon Elementary gym (October 2025) to Mister G at the Vail Library (November 2025) to Ballets Jazz Montréal masterclass at Vail Valley Academy of Dance
1,338
CAA Tickets Issued
(CAA), the Vilar helps more people who live and work in our region experience the performing arts by distributing free and discounted tickets to select shows. Through nonprofit partnerships, educator relationships, and a public request portal, we connected more than 400 unique individuals from over 55 local organizations with opportunities to experience the Vilar, often reducing barriers that might otherwise keep them from attending.
$74,000 In Ticket Value Provided
“It was cool to see so many of my friends there who were also able to go because of the Community Arts Access program. I learned something new and was reminded of how great the array of Vilar shows is.”
—CAA Ticket Recipient
Looking ahead, we are focused on expanding both the reach and impact of CAA, with a goal of distributing 2,250+ tickets through this program annually by 2028.
We want each ticket to serve as an invitation into a deeper relationship with the Vilar, helping more people feel familiar with our space, confident attending performances and connected to the cultural life of our community.
“[the Vilar’s] commitment to accessibility and inclusion helps ensure that all learners can experience and enjoy the arts in a meaningful way. Thank you for your dedication and for taking the time to support our students in accessing your wonderful programs.”
—Eagle County Significant Support Needs Teacher
create opportunities through the arts
Creating Space to Build Community
Through the Buckman/Blount Community Use Fund, the Vilar helps subsidize facility-rental costs for local organizations whose productions support youth development through the performing arts. These grants create opportunities for students and community groups to take the stage in a professional performing arts venue.
5 Organizations Supported
21
Shows Supported 373
Youth Performers
The Vilar is also proud to partner with local nonprofits, schools and service organizations whose work strengthens our community. Through discounted rental rates, lobby visibility, complimentary tickets and more, these partnerships help organizations connect with audiences, share their work, and engage more deeply in the cultural life of our community.
Investing in the Next Generation
Since 2024, the Vilar has been developing a new pathway for local talent to explore careers in the technical arts. While some students are introduced to theatrical production work through school programs, few have access to the professional systems, technology, and production environments that power world-class live performance.
The Vilar’s technical arts apprenticeship will be the State of Colorado’s first registered apprenticeship program in the technical arts, offering hands-on exposure to audio engineering, lighting design and production management. As we continue building toward an official launch in the coming year, our goal remains clear: invest in the next generation of technicians, designers, and production leaders.
Full Circle
From participating in our youth and community programs to joining the Vilar as a full-time staff member, Harry Jaffe’s journey is a testament to the Vilar’s role in cultivating the next generation of art enthusiasts and theater professionals. Growing up in Eagle County, Harry not only attended STARS performances but also performed on the Vilar stage through organizations that still today receive grants from the Buckman/Blount Community Use Fund.
“Growing up in the Valley means knowing how special the Vilar is. I was able to first grace the stage at 8 years old, tap dancing for the Vail Valley Academy of Dance and singing for the Vail Performing Arts Academy. It is wonderful to be in a position where I now get to encourage children to explore arts as a hobby and career.”
—Harry Jaffe, Vilar Arts Education and Community Engagement Manager
We Are a Team
We recognize how fortunate we are to have a dynamic community of parttime employees, production crew and volunteers whose time and expertise help bring the Vilar’s mission to life. Their contributions are essential to our daily operations and ensure that artists feel supported, audiences feel welcomed and every event meets the standard our community expects.
7,
560 Part-Time Production Crew Hours
6 ,706 Volunteer Hours
As the Vilar continues to thrive, more performances and programs create a growing need for the people who make them possible, while also creating more opportunities for connection, purpose, professional growth and meaningful participation in the arts. Together, this shared commitment strengthens the Vilar and enriches the cultural life of the Vail Valley.
“Volunteering at the Vilar brings joy to so many from children to families and locals alike. It is a special venue tucked in the village which brings that extra touch to the community like no other.”
—Nick
Mans, Vilar Volunteer
“The Vilar has given me the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of so many aspects of theatre that I wouldn’t have gotten at just any venue, with a very eclectic range of shows!”
Catherine Catanese, Vilar Production Crew Stagehand
Internships with Purpose
The Vilar’s internship program creates meaningful pathways for students to explore careers in the performing arts while gaining hands-on experience within an arts organization. Interns work alongside the Vilar team and are exposed to the many disciplines that bring live performance to life, from artist relations and frontof-house operations to event execution and venue management.
During the summer of 2026, the Vilar will build on that commitment by hiring an Arts Administration Intern, providing a deeper opportunity for professional learning, mentorship and career exploration. Through this experience, we are helping introduce the next generation to the wide range of careers that exist within the arts.
“I thought working at a theater was all about helping with makeup, wardrobe, etc. but it was so much more. Being at the Vilar gave me insight into how much work it takes to smoothly run a performing arts center.”
—Leslie Gomez, Vilar 2025 Summer Intern
advance organizational sustainability
A Transformational Gift
In March 2026, the Vilar Performing Arts Center received a transformational gift from Dori and David Meyers, rooted in the belief that this theatre is one of our community’s greatest assets. Through the Meyers’ extraordinary commitment, their generosity is now memorialized in a permanent fund that will strengthen the Vilar for generations to come.
The gift establishes the Eskenazi Meyers Theatre Fund, which will support facility capital projects, ongoing maintenance, and operational excellence, ensuring the Vilar remains a premier performing arts destination for artists and audiences alike.
“This is a gift from the heart. Beaver Creek is a special place, and the Vilar is a big part of what makes it so. Few places in the world present this level of talent while also doing so much to introduce young people to the arts and make those experiences more accessible for the community. It was important to us to help sustain that for the future, and we hope this inspires others to support the Vilar and the Vail Valley Foundation in whatever way they can.”
—Dori and David Meyers
In recognition of this landmark commitment and its enduring impact on this beloved community asset, the Vilar’s 530-seat theatre will be named the Eskenazi Meyers Theatre for a 30-year term.
“Dori and David are an integral part of the Vilar community, and we’re profoundly grateful for their vision, leadership, and generosity.”
—Alexia Jurschak, Vilar Committee Chair
By strengthening the foundation of the Vilar facility itself, the Eskenazi Meyers Theatre Fund enables the Vilar to focus on what it does best: fulfilling its mission to entertain, educate and inspire our community through the transformative power of the performing arts.
Investing in Our Staff
14 Full-Time Staff
As the Vilar’s work has grown, so has our responsibility to ensure the people behind it are supported and positioned for long-term success. This year, we reimagined several roles and responsibilities to better align work with staff strengths, create clearer ownership and support more sustainable day-to-day operations.
These changes have helped us build a more resilient team, with stronger coordination, fewer single points of failure and more strategic support across the organization. They have also created opportunities for professional growth while helping reduce overload that can make long-term success difficult to sustain.
This investment in our staff is ultimately an investment in the mission itself. A stronger, healthier team allows us to execute our work with greater consistency, care and excellence.
Investing in the Future
This year, the Vilar continued investing in the infrastructure that supports a safe, welcoming, and high-quality experience for every guest, artist, and performance. In June 2025, we installed a new lighting truss above the audience seats, expanding our production capabilities and increasing artistic flexibility on stage.
Several additional
improvements are now underway. Exterior lighting upgrades will enhance safety, visibility and the arrival experience, while critical elevator upgrades will strengthen accessibility and long-term building reliability. Our recent investments in broadcastquality streaming equipment are also helping position the Vilar for future digital collaborations and new ways of sharing performances beyond our walls.
Together, these projects ensure the Vilar remains both inspiring and dependable: a venue equipped to meet today’s needs while preparing for the opportunities ahead.
We are proud to share some of the highlights from the past year with you. What we do at the Vilar Performing Arts Center is not possible without your support. THANK YOU for your contributions and dedication to making this year exceptional. Questions or interested in expanding your support of the Vilar Performing Arts Center? Contact Peter Barclay, Vice President of Philanthropy at pbarclay@vvf.org.
Photos by John-Ryan Lockman, Jon Resnick, Rob Prechtl and Chris Kendig.
Exterior lighting concept rendering.
David and Dori Meyers.