George Eastman, the founder of Kodak, commissioned the building to provide the city with a world-class center for music and cinema.
The theater originally functioned as a movie palace before transitioning primarily into a dedicated concert hall.
The 2010 renovation included the installation of a new, massive stage extension to accommodate larger orchestras.
The theater's original pipe organ, a Hope-Jones unit, was one of the largest and most complex ever built.
The venue is integrated directly into the academic and administrative wings of the Eastman School of Music.
The Eastman Theatre is the primary concert venue for the Eastman School of Music, a constituent college of the University of Rochester. Originally opened in 1922, the facility was designed by the architectural firm Gordon and Kaelber with interior styling influenced by the Italian Renaissance. The main auditorium, known as Kodak Hall, features a seating capacity of approximately 2,260. The hall serves as the home venue for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Its acoustic design was heavily renovated in 2009–2010 to improve sound clarity for symphonic performances. The building also houses the smaller Kilbourn Hall, a space renowned for chamber music and recital performances. It is situated in the East End cultural district of downtown Rochester.
The central grand staircase in the main lobby, featuring the historic chandeliers and detailed ceiling architecture.
Arrive early to walk through the main lobby, which features ornate murals and neoclassical decor.
Check the performance calendar in advance, as the venue hosts student recitals that are often free to the public.
Use the Gibbs Street entrance for the main box office and primary auditorium access.
Do not mistake the smaller Kilbourn Hall entrance for the main Kodak Hall entrance; check your ticket for the specific venue room.
The venue follows the academic calendar of the Eastman School of Music, with fewer performances during mid-summer and winter academic breaks.
Business casual or formal attire is standard for evening orchestral performances; silence is required during all recitals.
