West Herr Performing Arts Center

12/16/2024

The first phase of renovation and restoration at West Herr Performing Arts Center was focused on accessibility improvements. The first elevator to the Theatre's lower balcony was opened ahead of the 2024-2025 Broadway Season. Now, a second elevator allows for even easier access to the Theatre and other businesses in the building.

12/12/2024

RBTL CEO Arnie Rothschild recently appeared on WHEC TV's Rochester In Focus to discuss why a performing arts center is important to a city's arts and culture accessibility. Hear more about how we got here and what's next for West Herr Performing Arts Center.

12/07/2024

One month ago, RBTL officially announced PROJECT RESTOURATION, a five-year, $65 million initiative dedicated to restoring and revitalizing the historic West Herr Performing Arts Center. See what work has been completed so far, take a look at our plans, and find out how you can support PROJECT RESTOURATION at WestHerrPAC.org.

12/03/2024

12/02/2024

11/25/2024

Happy to once again be a part of the turkey drive!

11/21/2024

The Rochester Broadway Theatre League launched a $65 million initiative to revitalize the historic West Herr Performing Arts Center.

11/19/2024

PROJECT RESTOURATION is transforming West Herr Performing Arts Center into a multistage, beautifully restored 1920s-era complex of unbelievable quality and craftsmanship. Phase One of restoration and renovation is underway, focusing on enhanced accessibility, adaptability, and amenities.

Hear from our architects and designers and take a look at our vision.

11/14/2024

11/14/2024

This week on The Broadway Report, RBTL CEO Arnie Rothschild talks to Joe Lomonaco about what West Herr Performing Arts Center and PROJECT RESTOURATION will mean for Rochester. Listen: https://buff.ly/4hDJSjX

11/13/2024

First show on the new monument sign!

The folks at Rochester Broadway Theatre League have been making lots of upgrades to the theatre. We are honored to have the first concert on the new sign on Main Street!

11/11/2024

“This venue is going to work for years to come.” - Arnie Rothschild, RBTL CEO

Visit WestHerrPAC.org to learn more about PROJECT RESTOURATION and what's to come!

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Rochester Broadway Theatre League announced the start of a $65 million endeavor to transform and revitalize its historic West Herr Performing Arts Center in the city Th…

11/08/2024

"We want the community to realize that this is an asset being developed for them, that will be without debt, that's going to be used for all the arts organizations for both rehearsing space and, in addition, for performance space." - RBTL CEO Arnie Rothschild

Rochester, N.Y. — The Rochester Broadway Theatre League is celebrating the official launch of a long-term renovation project.

11/07/2024

Officially introducing: West Herr Auditorium Theatre & Performing Arts Center

We are excited to unveil a brand-new sign identifying our building and signaling the start of PROJECT RESTOURATION, RBTL's multi-year restoration project.

Learn more about PROJECT RESTOURATION at WestHerrPAC.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

Thank you to Ulrich Sign Company for their hard work and beautiful craftsmanship.

11/07/2024

Revitalization efforts are in full swing at West Herr Performing Arts Center. Design and architectural teams are consistently developing plans and adapting renderings, which include improvements to venue accessibility, adaptability, and amenities. RBTL’s vision is to create a true multi-stage performing arts center for downtown Rochester. It will be a vast and complicated undertaking, focusing on melding patron expectations of today’s theatre experience while preserving the amazing and unduplicatable architecture of the ornate venue. While both beautiful and historic, the Auditorium Complex as it sits comes with many challenges. RBTL has teamed up with Pike Construction Services, LaBella Associates, and other community advisors to augment the existing spaces in the most optimal way.

11/07/2024

In June 2024, RBTL unveiled a refurbished elevator and newly created crossover point, which now offer long overdue access between the second floor of West Herr Performing Arts Center and the second-floor lobby of West Herr Auditorium Theatre. Previously, the two entities had only connected on the main level. Also unveiled in the second-floor Theatre lobby was a new all-gender/family restroom. Refurbishment of a second elevator and the creation of a new second-floor Theatre lounge space (featuring new men's and women's restrooms) have also begun.

11/07/2024

In March 2024, celebrating a year of Auditorium Complex ownership, the Rochester Broadway Theatre League announced the development of a Performing Arts Center Fundraising Committee. Co-chaired by Dan Burns (M&T Bank) and Trish Nilsen (NYSEG/RG&E), this group of well-known and influential Rochesterians is tasked with securing funds for the continuing renovation and restoration efforts at West Herr Performing Arts Center. The project will be funded by a combination of capital campaigns, sponsorships, operating surplus, state and local grants, foundations, and other aid.

Fundraising Committee member bios can be found here: https://buff.ly/3YCN8mL

11/07/2024

In August 2023, RBTL and West Herr Auto Group announced a new partnership, renaming Rochester's former Auditorium Complex on East Main Street the "West Herr Performing Arts Center" and the Theatre portion the "West Herr Auditorium Theatre." The Rochester Broadway Theatre League continues ownership and operation of both entities. The partnership will support ongoing renovation efforts, which include enhanced patron access and amenities, wider lobby spaces, elevator access to the second-floor Theatre lobby, and revitalization of rarely-before-seen ceremonial spaces.