Eastman Theatre

General Information

Opened September 4, 1922.  The theatre  and the Eastman School of Music were gifts to the to the University of Rochester by George Eastman.

The Eastman Theatre has the largest marquee in the world—367 ft on Main and Gibbs streets.  Carved near the top of the theatre, outside,  are the words “For the Enrichment of Community Life”

The building is 180 ft. deep and 80 ft. high and is shaped like a triangle with the stage at the apex.  It is said to be acoustically perfect and was designed to provide the same comfort and enjoyment for all patrons regardless of the ticket price.  It cost 6.7 million to build in 1922. 

Nine different types of marble from Belgium, Greece, Italy and Vermont were used in its construction.  The Architect was Lawrence White of McKim, Mead and White of New York City who also designed Penn Station in New York City.

When first opened the theatre had 3,352 seats.  It underwent a major renovation in 1971-72 and now has 3,075:  1,640 on the Orchestra level, 405 in the Mezzanine, and 1,030 in the Loge and Balcony.  By contrast, Lincoln Center holds 2,700 and Carnegie Hall holds about 2,600.

A projection booth is located above and behind the grand balcony.  When the theatre was first opened, silent films and later sound movies were shown regularly.

The Mezzanine was originally reserved for the original 400 series ticket holders, the “Rochester 400”.  These patrons had their own entrance via the subscriber’s staircase on the right side of the theatre.

George Eastman always sat in the first row, extreme right aisle chair in the mezzanine.  From there he could view much of the theatre and he had a private entrance near his seat that allowed him to arrive or leave inconspicuously.   His is the only chair from the original stock that is still in use in the theatre.

Art Works

A reproduction of the painting “Interlude” by American Artist Maxfield Parish is found at the east end of the balcony.  The original, painted for the theatre, is now on display at the Memorial Art Gallery. 

Also in this area, on the balcony level,  is a small fountain with a dolphin figure; it is turned on only during very special occasions.

In the Lobby and Mezzanine are eight wood block prints that show Psyche’s Love for Cupid. Originals of these were made by a French Artist LaFitte for Napoleon.  Those in the lobby are from a duplicate set of prints.

that were miraculously restored and mounted during the theatre’s restoration in 1971.  The original prints were beyond repair and the word blocks from which they were made were destroyed in a fire.

In the niches on the orchestra level are the busts of Bach and Beethoven.  Medallion shaped bas-reliefs containing heads of famous musicians and gilded ornamental designs of angelic figures, musical instruments and sea dragons are found on the walls of the theatre and on the balcony and mezzanine overhangs.

In the upper right and left corners of the grand balcony are two hanging light fixtures made from ordinary galvanized wash tubs by the workmen to be used for the theatre opening when the originals didn’t arrive in time.  They have been there ever since.

On both sides of the theatre are allegorical murals by American artists Barry Faulkner representing, on the right as you face the stage,  Religious, Hunting, Pastoral, and Dramatic musical themes, and on the left by artist Erza Winter representing Festival, Lyric, Martial and Sylvan musical themes.

On the staircase leading to the Balcony is a 17th Century mural by Italian artist Giorani.  It was placed there in 1972.

On the Mezzanine level of the Subscribers Stairway is a painting of George Eastman by artist Paul Trebilcook.

The “eyedrop” shell over the stage is made of plastic, wood and steel, and weighs approximately 11 tons.  The other parts of it weigh 7 and 9 tons.  These are held in place by a counter weight system and are floated above the stage during non-orchestral performances.

The chandelier is 14 feet in diameter, 35 feet tall, weighs approximately 5000 pounds (2 1/2 tons), has 585 visible and 670 concealed lights, and has 298 strings of glass containing 20,000 individual pieces of crystal  going from the circle to the top.  About every three years, usually in August it is lowered to the main floor for cleaning and bulb replacement.  Cleaning takes about three days.  While rumored to have done so, it has never fallen.

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra rents the theatre from the Eastman School of Music for its concerts.