Kitchen Theatre Company Celebrates Earth Day

The Kitchen Theatre Company celebrated Earth Day 2013 with a press conference to announce that the theater has been awarded LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Over forty people attended the 8:30 AM celebration, which began with a welcome from Artistic Director Rachel Lampert and Managing Director Stephen Nunley. Lampert described the thinking behind the push for LEED certification: "Sustainability was the primary motivation for the Kitchen Theatre Company to find a new home, so LEED certification and all the environmental plusses of building toward that goal went hand in hand with our hopes and dreams for the future."

Lampert and Nunley recognized the many people who made LEED certification possible: Jerry Dietz, who generously acted as Construction Manager and was willing to learn all about green building; Karen Lee, the consulting architect from NYC who had LEED experience and "held our hands" throughout the project; our architect, Jason Demarest; the Kitchen Theatre Board; Perri LoPinto, Percy Browning and Sylvia Miller, three past Board Presidents who played important roles in the project; and the Capital Campaign Committee, led by Co-Chairs Percy Browning and Greg Hartz, with Fran Benedict, Michelle Benedict-Jones, Jim Bouderau, Mary Pat Dolan, Kathy Garner, Carl Gortzig, Jan Hertel, Jim Mazza, Sylvia Miller, Risa Mish, Carol Travis, Carol True-Palmer, Tanya Vanasse, and the late Howard Hartnett. Lampert also thanked the many artisans, engineers, and volunteers who helped with the construction of the building. A gift from the Park Foundation gave the Kitchen the courage to move ahead and "go for the green!"

Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick congratulated the Kitchen on this accomplishment and spoke highly not only of the environmental benefits of the project but also of the economic and cultural impact of the Kitchen Theatre in the community.

Tracie Hall, Executive Director of the Upstate New York U.S. Green Building Council spoke of the long-term benefits of a green building and how it affects people-those who come together to use the theater now as well as future generations.

Jennifer Manniere, NYSERDA Production Manager for the Kitchen Theatre, was the final speaker. She noted that the Kitchen had received NYSERDA's "High Performance Building" designation, a rare accomplishment even among LEED certified buildings. The event ended with refreshments and tours of the building. A plaque from NYSERDA is on display in the Kitchen Theatre lobby now, and a LEED plaque will be installed in the future. To arrange a tour of the Kitchen Theatre, please contact Managing Director Stephen Nunley at (607) 272-0403.

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