CenterStage Theatre

About Us

CenterStage Theatre has been delivering spectacular performances that touch and inspire audiences for more than 40 seasons, including original plays and Broadway hits. We continue to open minds, start conversations, and delight theatre lovers, thanks to the support of patrons, volunteers, and sponsors. 

The mission of CenterStage Theatre at the JCC is to entertain, enlighten and educate the Greater Rochester community by providing quality theatre that is relevant to the Jewish experience and has universal appeal.

Our focus is developing new works, presenting world and area premieres of America’s hottest new plays and musicals and re-imagining beloved classics. We love plays and musicals that spark conversations, celebrate world-changing people and events and bring the world closer together.

Covid-19 Policy:

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Auditions

History

Theatre has also always been an important component of JY/JCC cultural arts offerings.  Many shows were produced in the JY auditorium on Andrews Street. these shows were able to be produced in the newly built JCC Hart Theater. With superb acoustics and audience views from every seat in the house, the theater created an opportunity for an expanded focus on the arts.

In 1977 a committee of JCC volunteers launched a national search for a professional theater director. The committee selected Philadelphia-based actor/producer Herb Katz and JCC CenterStage was born.  

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Accessibility

Hearing Assistance

• Theater equipped with an FM Hearing Assistance System
• Select dates will be Live Open Captioned. Select seats toward audience right (3rd-5th rows are ideal) for best view.

  2023–2024 Season Open Captioned Dates
  Tuesdays with Morrie  – Sunday, November 12, 2pm
  Love, Loss, and What I Wore – Sunday, December 10, 2pm
  Hitmakers: Rock vs. Disco – Sunday, February 11, 2pm
  Sisters in Law – Sunday, April 14, 2pm
  Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Sunday, May 12, 2pm

  
  

Accessible Approach/Entrance

• Venue is at ground level
• Route of travel not requiring use of stairs and is at least 36” wide
• Stability of route of travel (slip resistant, stable, firm)
• Objects can be detected by person with visual disability using a cane
• Curb cuts at drives, parking lot and drop-offs

Parking and Drop-Off Areas

• Accessible spaces closest to the entrance with accessible aisles
• Drop off with accessible path for paratransit users to entrance
• Parking lot with 20 van accessible spaces available
• Spaces are 8’ wide with minimum 8’ wide access aisles
• Access aisles for van accessible spaces marked with hash marks
• Accessible spaces marked with International Symbol of Accessibility
   

Entrance

• Main entrance accessible (no stairs)
• Entrance doors have at least 32” of clear opening
• At least 18” of clear wall on the pull side of door, next to handle
• Threshold edge accessible (1/4” or less)
• Door handle no higher than 48” and operable with a closed fist (can be opened with 5 lbs. or less pressure)
• Automatic opener available

Rooms and Spaces

• Aisles and pathways to materials and services at least 36” wide
• 5’ circle or T-shaped space for turning a wheelchair completely
• Obstacles are cane-detectable in circulation paths through public areas
• All doors in public spaces with at least 32” clear opening with at least 18” of clear wall space

Seats, Tables, and Counters

• Aisles between fixed seating at least 36” wide
• Wheelchair seating available at the top row on both sides of the theatre
• Companion seats alongside wheelchair seating (a range of stationary, portable and folding chairs)
• Seats available without arm rests in wheelchair spaces
• Counters for tickets and concessions accessible with a 36” wide section and free space in front of no less than 30” x 48”
• Items easily in reach on the counter (i.e. napkins, straws, etc.)
• Water fountain spout no higher than 36” and can be operated independently (with a closed fist) – clear space around fountain

Restrooms

• Accessible restrooms:
  • One single person restroom
  • Women’s room with one accessible stall
  • Men’s room with one accessible stall
• Pictograms used to identify restrooms (doesn’t include braille)
• Doorway to restroom is at least 32” clear
• Restroom door equipped with accessible handles
• Adequate maneuvering space for a person using a wheelchair (at least 5’ x 5’ clear of the door swing)
• 36” wide path to all fixtures
• Stall doors operable with closed fist
• Grab bars behind and on the side of wall nearest to the toilet
• Toilet seat less than 19” high in the single person restroom; seat in stalls in women’s and men’s rooms at 20”-21” high)
• Faucet operable with closed fist
• Soap dispenser no higher than 44” in the single person restroom
• Paper towel dispensers not higher than 44”

Group Sales

Advisory Council

Chair
Robert Sagan
Council
Greg Barnard
Jennifer Galvez Caton
Daphne Cohen
Tom Deckman
Jackie DiBella
Claudette Entenberg
Bonnie Garner
Deborah Goldman
Cathy Johnson
Dawn Kellogg
John Kraushaar
Dawn Lipson
Sarah Mayer-Fried
Oscia Miles
Lynda Kessler Newman
Rita Rudnick
Susan Sagan-Levitan
Lou Schneider

Volunteer

All CenterStage volunteers must be fully vaccinated.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, including backstage, front of house, and ushers, contact us.

Contact Us

Ralph Meranto, Director of CenterStage Theatre, 
JCC Associate Executive Director

Marc Cataldi, Administrative Assistant, Box Office Manager