I think that what Salt Lake City is trying to do with an arts district downtown makes perfect sense to me. But I've served on a number of feasibility studies, and I never recommend theaters larger than 1,000 to 1,200 seats. I think that just loses the purpose of live theater. When you get into large venues, it's just not the same experience. There has to be a connection between an audience and artist. — Scott Phillips, Utah Shakespearean Festival

I think it's inevitable — with what's happening downtown and the major reconstruction. And I do happen to think that kind of thing needs the synergy of a downtown. With the Capitol and other existing things, it makes good sense to make that work that way.

But it is going to have consequences. This pie is not unlimited. We can't keep thinking that people are going to keep coming and coming, because there are challenges there.

I think it is going to impact local arts organizations and, I think, in the short term, not positively. Long term, I think it's going to be a good thing. — — Richard Scott, Grand Theatre

I personally don't feel like it's needed. I'm not programming on that scale. But I just don't think a venue that size is sustainable long term. The heyday of the Broadway touring show is over. — Jerry Rapier, Plan-B Theatre Company

I'm not so sure that all cultural things should be downtown. I think that it can be wherever. People travel in this valley, and if things are just easy to get to and have good parking, people will go. I know there are certain people who feel like all the event-based entities should be downtown. I'm not sure I understand why they say that. — Sally Deitlein, Hale Centre Theatre