From: Steve Lerian, Executive Director, Kirkland Performance Center

September 18, 2006

Skip Rowley
Chairman of the Board
Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE)
PO Box 828
Bellevue, WA 98004

Dear Skip:

Let me offer my enthusiastic support for Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE). Your project, in the works for nearly two decades, will add another important element to the landscape of arts and entertainment options for Eastside audiences. As Executive Director of Kirkland Performance Center I understand particularly well the need for a 2,000-seat facility, which can accommodate large scale productions that will not fit into other Eastside venues. I am excited that PACE offers a new home for professional performing arts on the Eastside, broadening both audiences and repertoire, expanding education programs and creating a greater cultural presence.

Kirkland Performance Center envisions these benefits of PACE:

PACE's offerings will complement KPC's programming, rather than competing with it because of the needs and capabilities of different sized theatres;
KPC's mission of providing the Eastside cultural enrichment by offering a home for the presentation, support and promotion of the performing arts is shared by PACE;
Expanded opportunities for the Puget Sound region's wealth of producing companies for performances on the Eastside, a concept pioneered by KPC;
Possibility of collaborating in education activities including in-school workshops and assemblies;
Addition of a 2,000 seat theatre on the Eastside will focus local, regional and national attention on all the arts in the Eastside.

I view Performing Arts Center Eastside as an outstanding neighbor for Kirkland Performance Center. With a comprehensive and well thought out business and programming plan, I see a mutually beneficial relationship developing between the two organizations, both of which will prosper, to the great benefit of audiences in the region and beyond. Best of luck in achieving your project goals. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Steve Lerian
Executive Director