95 Performing Arts Venues Around Rochester

Rochester has a robust performing arts scene! Here you’ll find plays and musicals performed by high school and college students, local professionals, and touring companies.

I’ve noted some of the upcoming productions, and will periodically update them since I’m as interested as you are in live theater. Even though some of the productions may have passed, it gives you a sense of what is out there. Dig in and see what’s coming soon.

Theaters

1. Kodak Center
2. Blackfriars Theatre
3. Rochester Broadway Theater League
4. Geva Theatre Center
5. Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
6. Downstairs Cabaret
7. Multi-use Community Cultural Center
8. CenterStage Theatre
9. Cobblestone Arts Center
10. The Kingfisher Theater
11. Lyric Theatre
12. Hochstein School of Music & Dance
13. Bristol Valley Theatre

Children’s Theater

1. OFC Creations
   OFC Creations Theatre Center, Brighton
2. TYKEs (Theater Young Kids Enjoy)
   JCC CenterStage
3. Spotlight Theater for the Performing Arts
4. A Magical Journey through Stages
5. Terry Fyke’s Main Street Players
   The Norman Howard School

Companies

1. OFC Creations
   OFC Creations Theatre Center, Brighton
2. Eastman School of Music
   Eastman Theater free, almost-daily performances
3. Hourglass Play Reading Series
   Blackfriars Theater
4. Kalidas
   India Community Center
5. Out Of Pocket, Inc
   venues vary: Blackfriars, MuCCC
6. Rochester City Ballet
   venues vary
7. Greece Performing Arts Society
   venues vary
8. Webster Theater Guild
   Webster Thomas
9. Off-Monroe Players
   Salem United Church of Christ
10. PUSH Physical Theatre
    venues vary
11. Penfield Players
    Penfield Community Center
12. Penfield Symphony Orchestra
    Penfield High School stage
13. Rochester Community Players
    MuCCC, Highland Bowl
14. Everyone’s Theater Company
    MuCCC
15. Pittsford Musicals
    Pittsford-Sutherland stage
16. WallByrd Theatre Co.
    Shakespeare in the Park at Highland Bowl, Avyarium theater & performance space
17. Neighborhood Acting Company 
    Wayne Central High School Performing Arts Center
18. Perinton Concert Band
    Minerva DeLand School, Fairport

High School Performing Arts

Each school is linked to their events calendar or performing arts department page, though I found it easier to contact the schools directly in some cases. Most calendars only list the date for “Spring Musical” or “Fall Play” but not the production title.

I intend to update this every school year, but if you’re here between updates, click through to view each school’s performance calendar. And, if you know about an event we’re missing, please contact us! We’re happy to update this information!

Many high schools offer a weekday performance to senior citizens for free, making this a cost-effect way to spend an afternoon!

2019-2020 High School Musicals

1. Aquinas Institute 
   Nov Godspell 
   Mar A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2. Bishop Kearney 
   Oct 12 Angry Jurors
   Mar Grease
3. Brighton 
   Nov The InComplete Works of Shakespeare: Some Comedy
   Feb High School Musical
4. Churchville-Chili 
   Oct Clue
   Mar Beauty and the Beast
5. East Irondequoit 
   Mar Footloose
6. East Rochester 
   Mar Wizard of Oz
7. Fairport 
   Nov The Odyssey
   Mar TBA
8. Gates-Chili 
   Mar Les Misérables
9. Greece Arcadia 
   Apr Honk!
10. Greece Athena 
    Feb Cinderella
11. Greece Odyssey 
    Feb The Addams Family
12. Greece Olympia 
    Apr Matilda
13. Hilton 
    Nov Mamma Mia
    April The Great Gatsby
14. Honeoye Falls-Lima 
    Nov Twelve Angry Jurors
    Mar Bye, Bye Birdie
15. Irondequoit
    Mar Beauty & The Beast
16. McQuaid Jesuit 
    Nov Shakespeare in Hollywood
    Mar My Fair Lady
17. Our Lady of Mercy 
    Nov The Secret Garden
18. Penfield 
    Nov Born Yesterday
    Mar Guys & Dolls
19. Pittsford-Sutherland 
    Dec Once in a Lifetime
    Mar Pippin
20. Pittsford-Mendon 
    Dec An Unspeakable Triumph of Supreme Brilliance
    Mar Rent: School Edition
21. Rush-Henrietta 
    Nov Anne of Green Gables
    Mar Bye Bye Birdie
22. School of the Arts 
    Shows throughout the 2019-20 school year, including 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, It’s a Wonderful Life, Laramie Project, and Grease.
23. Spencerport 
    Nov Annie
    Mar TBA
24. Webster Thomas 
    Mar The Music Man
25. Webster Schroeder 
    Sep Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
    Feb 6-8 Chicago
26. Wheatland-Chili
    Mar Sister Act

Outside Monroe County:

1. Wayne Central
   Mar Sound of Music

College Performing Arts

1. Roberts Wesleyan
2. Nazareth College
3. RIT Visual & Performing Arts
4. University of Rochester Institute for the Performing Arts
5. Monroe Community College
6. The College at Brockport
7. St. John Fisher
8. Niagara University

Music Venues

Stages dedicated to concerts will be a completely new post someday soon. The Rochester music scene is vast, with venues for bands both big and small, indoor and outdoor, ticketed and free. I’ll mention only a few for now:

1. Blue Cross Arena
2. Abilene Bar & Lounge
3. The Record Archive
4. Montage Music Hall
5. Lovin’ Cup
6. Anthology
7. Flour City Station
8. Bug Jar
9. Main Street Armory
10. Johnny’s Irish Pub
11. Fairport B-Side
12. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
13. Pelican’s Nest
14. Nashvilles
15. Little Theatre

Rochester Music Festivals & Reoccurring Shows

1. Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival
2. Lilac Festival
3. Fairport Music Festival
4. Westside Music & Food Festival
5. ROC the Park Urban Music Festival
6. Party in the Park
7. Rochester Summer Soul Music Fest
8. Bands on the Bricks
9. Concerts by the Shore

Are there other performing arts venues we’ve missed?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!