Rochester (N.Y.) Theater Programs Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 2016-002

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Programs, flyers, ads, and brochures for Rochester theaters from 1856 to 2023. Included are programs from such long-gone theatres as the RKO Palace and Cook Opera House to thriving present-day venues like GeVa Theatre and Blackfriars Theatre. Programs represent larger regional theatres, medium-sized community theatres, and small independent theatres. Also present are programs issued by theatrical groups who produced shows at theaters they did not own.

Dates

Creation: 1856-2023

Creator

Little Theatre (Rochester, N.Y.) (Organization)
Cook Opera House (Rochester, N.Y.) (Organization)
GeVa Theatre (Rochester, N.Y.) (Organization)
Lyceum Theatre (Rochester, N.Y.) (Organization)
Rochester Association of Performing Arts (Rochester, N.Y.) (Organization)
Rochester Broadway Theatre League (Rochester, N.Y.) (Organization)
Rochester Community Players (Rochester, N.Y.) (Organization)
Famous Artists Country Playhouse (Rochester, N.Y.) (Organization)
Town and Country Playhouse (Rochester, N.Y.) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Extent

13.0 Cubic Feet (16 record boxes, 3 drop-front boxes)

.5 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This is an artificial collection of motion picture and live theatre programs and associated ephemera collected from various sources. The materials date from 1856 to 2023 and provide a snapshot of Rochester's cultural scene over a century and a half. Many of the 19th century materials were donated by Friedrich H. Haak.

Arrangement

Contents of the collection are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. Program dates expressed as a theatrical season retained that expression. The collection consists of 16 boxes divided into 6 series.

Series I: Auditorium Theatre

Series II: GeVa Theatre

Series III: Lyceum Theatre

Series IV: Rochester Broadway Theatre League

Series V: Rochester Community Players

Series VI: Other Theaters and Theatrical Groups

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection consists of materials obtained through numerous donations over several decades. Because it consists of published materials, detailed accession records are not maintained for each donation.

Accruals

This is a dynamic collection that will continue to grow as donations of programs arrive. New series will be added as necessitated by the volume of material present from a given theater or theatrical group.

Condition Description

Condition varies from poor to excellent.

Subjects

Topical

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Guide to the Rochester (N.Y.) Theater Program Collection
Status: Completed
Author: Cheri J. Crist
Date: 5/9/2016
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: Undetermined
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: English
Edition statement: Brandon Fess revised this finding aid in 2022, adding series to the collection to improve intellectual organization and simplify the addition of new folders and boxes to the collection.

Gift: Rochester (N.Y.) Theater Program Collection