Newly Named Kodak Center for the Performing Arts Opens New Era as Unique Community Resource

Schedule of events announced for new multi-function entertainment, conference and education center at Eastman Business Park

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov. 7, 2013- The curtain rises today to officially open a new era for the former Kodak Theatre on the Ridge at Eastman Business Park, as it takes on a new name Kodak Center for the Performing Arts- to go along with its new role in the community.

Last August, Kodak announced it had reached an agreement with the Rochester Association for the Performing Arts (RAPA) to assume the management and operation of Kodak's theater and related facilities at Eastman Business Park.

Today, the new Kodak Center for Performing Arts officially opened its doors to the public, with a complete schedule of upcoming events that have been booked for the facility into 2014.

"This is a dream come true for the Greater Rochester community," said James Vollertsen, President and Chief Executive Officer of RAP A. "We are well on our way toward converting this marvelous facility into a multi-function entertainment, conference and education center for the community."

"We are delighted to welcome RAPA to its new home," said Brad Kruchten, President, Graphics, Entertainment and Commercial Films and Senior Vice President Eastman Kodak Company. "We look forward to their success in attracting the arts community to Eastman Business Park and fully utilizing this tremendous facility."

Vollertsen said RAPA currently is exploring a partnership with all Hillside Family of Agencies affiliates to develop opportunities around vocational education, work experiences, internships and employment at the Kodak Center.

One potential partnership may include Hillside affiliate Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection {HW-SC), a nationally recognized 26-year-old youth development program that helps at-risk secondary school students stay in school and earn their high school diploma, while providing invaluable part-time work experience and job skills to help prepare them for life after graduation.

Augustin Melendez, President of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, said such an arrangement would be a boost to the program, adding that 93 percent of students certified through HW-SC's Youth Employment Training Academy {YETA} graduate from high school and go on to college or become gainfully employed.

In addition, Vollertsen announced that RAPA has entered into a multi-year agreement with The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival-home to three theatres in Auburn, NY, including The Merry Go Round Playhouse. The partnership calls for several family-oriented musicals to appear at the Kodak Center beginning next Summer, including Mary Poppins, Damn Yankees, On The Town, The Will Rogers Follies, Church Basement Ladies (The Last Potluck Supper) and the smash hit, Menopause.

Vollertsen said RAPA also is working with national production companies to attract major concerts and theatrical performances to the Kodak Center. He said the West Ridge Road complex- featuring Rochester's largest stage, a 1,964-seat theater, advanced technical capabilities and extensive rehearsal spaces- makes it a perfect venue for such events.

Discussions also have begun with Visit Rochester to utilize the facility's theater, audio-visual capabilities, meeting rooms, and dining areas for major conferences.

"It's all going to be happening here," Vollertsen said. "The transformation of the new Kodak Center for the Performing Arts begins now, which is truly great news for the entire community."

A formal multi-year agreement for management of the center was reached last August between Kodak and RAPA, though financial terms have not been disclosed.

About Kodak
Kodak is a technology company focused on imaging for business. Kodak serves customers with disruptive technologies and breakthrough solutions for the product goods packaging, graphic communications and functional printing industries. The company also offers leading products and services in Entertainment Imaging and Commercial Films. For additional information on Kodak, visit kodak.com.

About Eastman Business Park
Eastman Business Park is a unique, multi-use advanced manufacturing and research center in Rochester, N.Y. This 1,200-acre campus encompasses over 100 buildings, 2.5 million square feet of space, and over 50 miles of integrated roads and rail. Often referred to as a 'city within a city,' EBP possesses a self-generated utility infrastructure, plus bench top to prototype analytical tools and equipment supporting the acceleration to commercialization of clean technology products in the materials science space. For more information on EBP visit www.eastmanbusinesspark.com and follow on Twitter @FollowEBP.

About RAPA
The Rochester Association of Performing Arts was founded in 1979 to provide professional training to children and adults who express an interest in learning music, dance or theater, whether it be for a future career or simply the enjoyment obtained in performing these skills. Thru the years RAPA has made a difference in the lives and success of over 15,000 youths and families. RAP A's school is located at 727 East Main Street, and is one of the oldest consecutively funded by the New York State Council of the Arts in Western New York.

Media Contacts:
Christopher Veranda, Kodak, +1585-724-2622, christopher.veronda@kodak.com
James Vollertsen, RAPA +1585-721-7800, jimvollertsen@aol.com