Rochester Arts Scene
Rochester Arts Scene
The region’s entertainment offerings brims with all styles of great music, theater, dance, and musical theatre. As a Performing Arts Scholar, you’ll receive funding to attend and enjoy a variety of shows, concerts, and festivals, allowing you to immerse yourself in both the RIT and Rochester performing arts communities.
Highlights of Rochester’s notable organizations and performing venues include:
The Blackfriars Theatre
Blackfriars Theatre is a mid-sized professional theatre that entertains audiences with exceptional theatrical arts using local talent.
Garth Fagan Dance
Grammy Award Winner, 1995, Tony Award Winner, 1998. Known around the world for his groundbreaking choreography of Broadway’s The Lion King, Garth Fagan is widely acknowledged as one of the most dynamic and original artists working in the field today - architect of a distinct new movement style, creator of over 75 works for theater and the concert stage, inspired teacher, and the man who transformed Rochester, NY into an incubator for world-class contemporary dance.
The Geva Theatre Center
Featuring world class theatre on two stages, the Wilson and the Fielding, the Geva Theatre Center is the region’s foremost professional theatre and the largest in New York State outside of Manhattan. Geva draws upon the talents of the country’s top actors, directors, designers and writers who are shaping the American theatre landscape.
Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music
Considered by many to be one of the finest chamber music halls in the world, Kilbourn Hall presents extraordinary guest artist recitals, chamber music and jazz performances, and opera productions.
Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre
Kodak Hall is a magnificent theatre that showcases world-class talent performing all genres of music, dance, and popular entertainment.
OFC Creations Theatre Center
OFC Creations is a professional regional performing arts center presenting high caliber professional musical productions featuring performers from New York City, Los Angeles, and across the country. OFC also trains the next generation of theatre professionals through classes in acting, singing, and dance along with running the largest theatre summer camp program in New York State.
Rochester Broadway Theatre League
The Auditorium Theatre, home of the RBTL, features a full season of touring Broadway shows. The Auditorium Theatre also hosts a number of live concerts, comedy, dramatic and family events throughout the year.
Rochester International Jazz Festival
The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival has quickly become one of the nation's most popular and respected music festivals. This city-wide music festival attracts visitors from all over the U.S. and the world.
Rochester Lyric Opera
The RLO presents a pleasing variety of musical experiences, educational opportunities, and community collaborations.
Rochester Oratorio Society
The ROS presents live choral music of the highest quality. They engage and educate their community in a variety of musical genres.
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Grammy Award winner 2020. One of the great American orchestras, the RPO is the region’s premier cultural organization and is recognized nationally for artistic excellence and innovation.