The Eastman Theatre at 26 Gibbs Street in Rochester was built in 1922 by George Eastman — the founder of Kodak — as a gift to the city and as the primary performance space for the Eastman School of Music, one of the most prestigious music schools in the world. The 2,326-seat Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre (renamed in 2004) is a world-class concert venue with acoustics and architectural grandeur that rival any hall in the country.
The Room
The Italian Renaissance-style auditorium features a grand proscenium arch, ornate plasterwork, and a pipe organ with over 8,000 pipes. The acoustics were designed by a team that understood the hall would serve both orchestral performance and cinema (it originally operated as a movie palace). The result is a room that handles everything from a solo recital to a full symphony with equal elegance.
What Plays Here
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is the primary tenant, performing a full season of concerts. The Eastman School of Music presents hundreds of student and faculty performances annually — many of them free or low-cost, and many of them excellent. Touring classical artists and special events round out the calendar.
Getting There
Eastman Theatre is on Gibbs Street in downtown Rochester, adjacent to the Eastman School of Music. The Gibbs Street Garage is steps away. Street parking and additional downtown garages are available.
Nearby
- Good Luck (Anderson Avenue) — Craft cocktails, intimate atmosphere.
- Redd (East End) — American bistro, seasonal focus.