Support RCT with LDW

I'll never forget walking into my first Rochester Civic Theatre audition in 2022. I came hoping to tackle a Sondheim role I'd dreamed of playing for years, and was thrilled when that dream came true. But what I found during Into the Woods went far beyond any single role.

I found a home.

The RCT community welcomed me with open arms and open hearts. Every rehearsal felt like stepping into a creative sanctuary where risk-taking was celebrated and play was encouraged. Here were people who showed up after long workdays, who learned lines while juggling family obligations, who painted sets on weekends—all because they believed in the transformative power of live theatre. The cast, crew, and creative team weren't just colleagues; they became collaborators, friends, and inspirations.

The magic of "playing in the sandbox" together—that beautiful chaos of building something extraordinary from nothing—drew me back to the RCT stage for 2023's The Little Mermaid and 2024's Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Each production deepened my connection to this remarkable organization and the Rochester community it serves. I witnessed firsthand how the Civic Theatre doesn't just present shows; it creates a space for connection, for discovery, for the kind of artistic courage that only happens when people feel truly supported.

Now, I have the honor of serving as Artistic Director alongside Managing Director Jaclyn June Johnson. When I think about the Rochester Civic Theatre's tremendous nearly 75-year history—decades of curtains rising, of standing ovations, of lives changed both on stage and in the audience—I'm humbled. And when I look toward the future, I see extraordinary potential for the next 75 years.

But I also see the reality facing theatres across the country right now.

We stand at a crossroads. We have the vision to expand our programming, to nurture emerging artists, to bring bold new works to our stage while honoring the classics that have sustained us. We have the passion—in every volunteer who paints a flat, every actor who pours their heart into a character, every audience member who laughs, cries, and dreams with us. We have the unwavering support of this incredible community of artists, technicians, designers, backstage heroes, front-of-house volunteers, and devoted theatregoers who make every performance unforgettable.

What we need now are the financial resources to transform that potential into reality.

This is where you come in. Theatre has always been a collaborative art form—nobody steps onto that stage alone. Just as we all pull together to make magic happen under the lights, we can pull together now to set the stage for the next 75 years at the Rochester Civic Theatre.

Your donation will help us:

• Continue producing the high-quality productions you love
• Invest in the next generation of theatre artists through education and mentorship
• Maintain and improve our facilities so they remain a welcoming home for our community
• Expand accessibility so everyone can experience the power of live performance
• Build financial stability that allows us to take creative risks and dream bigger

The Rochester Civic Theatre has given me so much—an artistic home, a creative family, a sense of belonging. It's given this city nearly 75 years of laughter, tears, inspiration, and connection. Together, we can ensure it continues to be that beacon of creativity and community for generations to come.

Will you join us? Will you be part of writing the next chapter of this incredible story?

Because the best performances are always ensemble efforts—and this community has always been our greatest strength.