The Kitchen Theatre's campaign co-chair Percy Browning celebrated the company's new space in the Ithaca's West End Thursday, June 24. Photo by Lauren Comly
THE KITCHEN THEATRE OFFERED ITS FUNDRAISERS a sneak peak of its new space on State Street Thursday afternoon, as the company celebrated its success in reaching its $1.2 million goal. “We exceeded our mark,” Managing Director Stephen Nunley said joyfully. “We’re not sure by how much; we were still receiving checks at last night’s performance.”
The company is departing its current home in the historic Clinton House on 116 North Cayuga Street, and moving westward, to 417 Martin Luther King Street (West State Street) on September 1, 2010. The last production in the old location is of Lee Blessing’s “Chesapeake,” which runs through July 18th.
The capital campaign was launched in early 2009 with a goal of raising $950,000 for the purchase and total renovation of the building but was increased to $1.2 million in October 2009, when campaign organizers realized the high level of support from the community.
“The new theater is a culmination of the wonderful partnerships the KTC has had with local and visiting artists, our devoted patrons and members of the community at large,” Artistic Director Rachel Lampert wrote in a press release. “With our Bold New Space we are able to improve the Kitchen’s production capabilities for the long term while keeping the intimate feel of the theater itself.”
The Kitchen Theatre's Artistic Director Rachel Lampert showed sponsors around the company's new digs Thursday, June 24, 2010. Photo by Lauren Comly
At the event itself, Lampert was singing with joy, as was a young performer who offered up a song written by Lampert from atop a ladder.
The new theater will increase the Kitchen’s capacity from 73 to 99 seats. Other improvements included a high-efficiency heating and cooling system, increased stage space, a 16-foot ceiling height, multiple entrances, full accessibility, and larger restrooms. The new lobby will house an art gallery space and refreshment area.
Campaign Co-Chairs Greg Hartz (far left) and Percy Browning (far right) celebrated The Kitchen Theatre's new digs with Managing Director Stephen Nunley and Artistic Director Rachel Lampert. Photo by Lauren Comly
“Building a permanent home for the Kitchen is truly a noteworthy accomplishment,” campaign co-chair Percy Browning said. “The Kitchen Theatre Company is enormously grateful for the hundreds of donations that contributed to the completion of our campaign.” In all, more than 250 individuals and families, foundations, and area businesses supported the new theater, which will be home to the Kitchen Theatre Company as it begins its 20th Anniversary Season this September.