The Rochester Plant Engineers Toured the RIT Performance Theater on November 20, 2025, and what a tour it was. I myself don’t know much about the theater or performances but I do know many drama queens who could have probably benefited from this tour. I won’t elaborate on the dram queen part, LOL. The 40,000 sqft, two balconies, three story theater is complete and ready to be used for performances. We toured from the basement, viewing the floor elevator lifting mechanisms, to the top floors and stage mezzanine, pipe organ areas and the sound/lighting room. We learned how the curtains work and the 23,000 lbs of weight required to operate the system, the weight being hung from a mezzanine 20 plus ft in the air. The changing rooms, stage building area, practice areas and the technology for sound proofing and communications throughout the building is insane. Learning about the early 1900’s historical pipe organ being installed in the theater has its own blower room, two areas on the 2nd floor where the sound will radiate into the theater with air-controlled wooden dampers, all controlled by the organ player, quite the system and must be a talented individual to play this instrument. On the balconies, the seats are comfortable with plenty of room for tall people and the acoustics…definitely top notch.
Be on the lookout for shows to come to the theater soon. I know I will be attending 1 or 2 events soon. Dinner was at the Distillery to watch the Bills game for a great end to another awesome tour.
