Geva Theatre Center
Welcome to Geva Theatre Center

Geva Theatre Center History

About Geva Theatre Center

Geva Theatre Center is Rochester's leading professional theatre and the most attended regional theatre in New York State. Founded in 1972, Geva attracts over 174,000 patrons annually, including more than 16,000 students. The 552-seat Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage offers a wide variety of shows, from musicals to reinvigorated American and world classics. The Ron & Donna Fielding Nextstage, Geva's engaging 180-seat second stage, features fresh contemporary theatre and is home to Geva's newest endeavor, Geva Comedy Improv. For young people, Geva produces its Big Theatre for Little People series, with exciting, original theatre for audiences in grades K-8. All of Geva's productions are rehearsed in Rochester. We draw upon the talent of the actors, directors, designers and writers from around the country, who are shaping the American theatre scene. In addition to serving the Rochester community through its Mainstage, Nextstage and Big Theatre for Little People productions, Geva Theatre Center also offers a wide variety of educational, outreach and literary programs designed to:

  • enrich and deepen the theatre-going experience for our current audience;
  • provide access and affordable theatre to the Rochester community including thousands of area students;
  • develop new plays and playwrights;
  • nurture the audiences and artists of the next generation.

From the Mainstage to The Nextstage to the classroom and beyond, Geva Theatre Center is an active member of the Rochester community, offering a multitude of opportunities for our audience to get into the act.

About Our Building

In 1868 Andrew J. Warner constructed a Navel Armory and Convention Hall, with the purpose of protecting Rochester and the Erie Canal from attacks by Great Britain. Shortly after its opening Rochester’s 54th regiment took up headquarters and began training. The Naval Armory saw little military activity and faced complaints that the building was only being used for entertaining shows. In 1908 after many years of disuse the building reopened as Rochester’s Convention Hall. Quickly the Convention Center became the center for cultural and political activity. William Jennings Bryan, Governor Charles Evans Hughes and William Howard Taft all presented their platforms at the Convention Hall. The United Garment Workers used the Convention Hall for a forum in 1912, to debate unionizing for higher pay and an 8-hour work day. In 1918 the hall was turned into an emergency hospital site when Rochester faced an epidemic of Influenza.

Later Eastman Theater endorsed the Convention Hall for local and international musician’s performances. For the next few years the Convention Hall thrived as an entertainment center. In 1949 the Navel Reserves leased the building. However, it was closed for nearly two decades because of internal disrepair. Geva’s Board of Directors approached the State Division for Historic Preservation in 1982 with the request to purchase the Convention Hall. After being approved, Geva Theatre Center began the renovation project at Woodbury and Clinton and turned the building into the beautiful theatre we know today.