Eastman Theatre Renovation Project

Next year, when you arrive at the new Eastman Theatre, a remarkable experience will await you... and the renovation teams have been hard at work over this past summer on the first rounds of improvements.

Although you may not notice many changes when our 2008 season begins this October, some of the seats in the mezzanine and loge will already have been reconditioned. By next fall, we'll have more than 80 box seats... wider aisles... a grand lobby... and much more to add to our experience. All 2,250 seats in the renovated theatre will either be replaced (Orchestra and Balcony) or completely reconditioned locally (Mezzanine and Loge).

Here is a 'behind the scenes' picture of some of the construction in the theatre this summer. You may not recognize it - but it's a view of the house right wall and orchestra level from the stage floor.

Don't worry, though, we can assure you that all of this summer's construction will be wrapped up by the time our season begins - there will be no interruptions to our performances.

Construction is already under way on a new neighboring building, which will be connected to the theatre, which will feature a 230-seat recital hall, faculty teaching studios, a rehearsal room, a recording studio, and an atrium.

When the renovations are complete in Fall 2009, the main theatre will be renamed Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.

For more information on the Eastman Theatre renovation and to view photos and artists' renderings, visit the Eastman School of Music web site.

We'll be keeping you up-to-date all year on this page... so stay tuned!

P.S. - our subscribers this year have already reserved their place in the new Kodak Hall... to learn more about subscribing and to download our brochures, please click here.

Update September 19, 2008
Below are two more photos. This shows the center orchestra level with the seats covered in plastic. The chandelier is inside the scaffolding in the background.

And here is a side view of the Eastman Theatre exterior, from Main Street looking down Swan Street, showing the new stairwell under construction.