Geva Theatre Center, Rochester

The Geva Theatre Center in Rochester is a leading regional, not-for-profit theatre company known for its vibrant productions and deep community engagement. Housed in a historic 1868 building on Woodbury Boulevard-once a military armory and convention hall-the theatre operates year-round with a rich calendar of mainstage performances, intimate plays, readings, discussions, and educational outreach programs. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has hosted everyone from political giants like Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt to cultural legends such as Gustav Mahler and Anna Pavlova.

Founded in 1972 by William and Cynthia Selden under the name Genesee Valley Arts Foundation (GeVa), the company began with lunchtime performances at the Rochester Business Institute and quickly grew into a major cultural force. In 1982, Geva acquired and renovated the former Convention Hall across the street, reopening in 1985 with Planet Fires, a drama by Rochester playwright Thomas Babe. Over the decades, its stages have welcomed acclaimed actors including Samuel L. Jackson, Kathy Bates, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, the latter often citing Geva as an early influence on his career.

Today, the theatre features two primary performance spaces: the 522-seat Elaine P. Wilson Stage, which hosts classic plays, new works, and musicals; and the 180-seat Fielding Stage, designed for emerging playwrights, youth programming, and more intimate experiences. In 2016, Geva completed a major renovation project, enhancing both its historic structure and modern amenities to better serve artists and audiences alike.

With over 400 productions staged since its founding, Geva Theatre Center remains one of the most attended theatres in New York State outside New York City. Its blend of artistic excellence, historic charm, and community connection continues to make it a cornerstone of Rochester’s cultural life.