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Two civil engineering technology graduates from 2008 have returned to the RIT campus, this time, to use their knowledge to help build the Music Performance Theater set to open next spring. Jennie Cody served as project manager, and Charlie Spencer was lead superintendent. Both are employed by LeChase Construction. “It was such a full circle moment for us to be back here building this together,” Cody said. “It was a huge honor to be able to leave our mark on the campus that we graduated from.” They literally left their mark, as they were among many who signed a steel beam that was used to construct the theater. Mike Dellefave , RIT’s director of construction, served as RIT’s project manager. He received his bachelor’s degree from RIT’s School of Individualized Study in 2016 and a master’s degree in construction management in 2022. “It was a very rewarding experience,” Dellefave said. “Their passion for this project and RIT from our alumni was very apparent throughout the construction.” ‌ Michelle Schleher Students in a construction project management class took a tour earlier this year to see the progress of the Music Performance Theater. The team helped oversee more than 700 workers throughout the construction. Cody began in 2023 after the groundbreaking and Spencer started in February 2024, after completing work on the 35,000-square-foot expansion of the Max Lowenthal Hall in Saunders College of Business that provided more classrooms, labs, an auditorium, and event space. Cody oversaw the project’s budget and payments to subcontractors, as well as issued contracts and change orders, and managed meetings. Spencer oversaw the trade workers onsite, coordinated scheduling work activities, and managed safety and quality. “Many of the classes we took when we were students here helped us be successful on this project,” Spencer said. “From structural steel design to soils and concrete, all those classes gave us the building blocks to kickstart our career in construction.” The team also took engineering students from RIT’s chapter of Associated General Contractors of America on a tour of the construction site in March. Ground was broken in September 2023 for the 50,000 square-foot, 750-seat theater. The building is intended to provide more venues for the RIT community as well as options for community groups to hold concerts, talks, and other events. It has two balconies and an outdoor amphitheater. Most of the construction has been completed, and initial acoustic tests were held. The remaining piece, a nearly 100-year-old restored massive theater pipe organ , will be installed after the first of the year. A ribbon cutting and inaugural performance are scheduled for April 10, with interactive public tours during the Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival on April 25. The first student musical theater production will be held next fall. Funding for the $74 million theater was approved by RIT’s Board of Trustees and is part of RIT’s approved capital bond project. The new building was designed by renowned Los Angeles-based architect Michael Maltzan and the architect of record is SWBR, a local company that was also the architect of RIT’s MAGIC Spell Studios .