Downstairs Cabaret Theatre

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre has been a vital part of the Rochester theatre scene for 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.

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 popularAin'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.

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 300 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.