Several brand new productions are planned for the next couple of months, and the schedule on our website will continue to be updated as new shows are announced. So check back often. On-line ticketing is not available, as we want to give each of our customers the personal service they deserve. Please call (585) 325-4370 for reservations. The Box Office is open Monday - Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm. The Box Office will also open one hour prior to any scheduled performance.

Please be advised: our theatres were not originally built as theatres, so we work with the existing air ventilation systems to the best of our ability to make sure your audience experience is as comfortable as possible. You may find the theatre to be a bit chilly when you are first seated - this is because we pre-cool the theatre prior to the beginning of the show. Once the performance begins, the temperature warms up considerably due to the intensity of the theatre lights and sheer body heat! You may wish to bring a sweater or jacket with you for the beginning of the show (we're pretty sure you'll shed it before the end of the performance!)

All arts organizations are presently facing extraordinary economic challenges. Please support the arts in whatever way you can - attend events (especially early in the schedule), become a donor, volunteer your services, spread the word about the value of the arts in our community... Thank you !

We look forward to welcoming you to the Cabaret !

Who we are

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre has been a vital part of the Rochester theatre scene for nearly 30 years as a not-for-profit (501-c-3) professional theatre. Since its inception in 1983, the Downstairs Cabaret has made its mark in the community by producing a diverse offering of musicals, comedies, dramas, new works, and music events in a year-round, repertory schedule. Mostly known locally and nationally for developing Nunsense and producing the world premiere of Forever Plaid, the DCT has always been an important player in the development of new works.

What we do

In recent years, DCT has exploded onto the theatrical scene producing some of the most exciting new works as well as the most entertaining pieces in Rochester. Producing Director Christopher F. Kawolsky reopened the Theatre in February 1992 (after three years of inactivity). Since then, we have produced nearly 275 different productions, ranging from popular musicals such as I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, to the hilarious Run For Your Wife, to the Holocaust drama The Grey Zone, to the world premiere of James Lecesne's Word of Mouth (which went on to win Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards when later produced by Mike Nichols in NYC), to cabaret artists including Jim Van Slyke, Terese Genecco, KT Sullivan, Mark Nadler, Laura Theodore, D.C. Anderson, Quinn Lemley, and others.

Our Mission

Part of our mission includes producing non-traditional work which, by its nature, attracts non-traditional audiences. We draw many first-time theatregoers by providing opportunities to attend live theatrical performances to those who might not otherwise have the means or experience as a regular theatregoer.

We produce our own work and co-produce with other professional theatres nationally, allowing us to offer the Rochester community the finest productions possible ! We also have produced several national tours including the hugely popular Ain't Misbehavin' which toured 80 cities in 35 states.

As an educational institution, we take great pride in our Education Program, which offers classes in acting, music, dance, and improvisation to students ages five through eighteen.