Our Name
What is a "Geva"?
Originally founded as the Genesee Valley Arts Foundation Geva’s name (pronounced “JEE-vuh”) was first coined in 1972 by our founder, Cynthia Selden, by taking the first two letters of Genesee” and of “Valley” – the area in which Rochester is located.


Production History
Our History
1864
1907
1928
1936
1949
The building became the Naval Reserve
Center and by 1975 the building housed
several city departments: City of Rochester Center for Manpower Services and
the offices of the City Maps and Records Department.
1972
1982
1985
1997
Geva launched and subsequently completed a $4.3 million 25th Anniversary
Major Gift Campaign, which allowed
Geva to purchase the building, retire
accumulated debt, create an artistic
enhancement fund, construct and
open the Fielding Nextstage (now
known as the Fielding Stage), and establish an endowment.
2000
In the winter of 2000 Geva Theatre
Center opened its second stage, the
Ron and Donna Fielding Stage, providing a venue to produce smaller-scale
more intimate productions, produce
theatre for young audiences and develop new plays.
2013
2016
In September 2016 Geva cut the ribbon
on the most extensive renovation program since the 1980s. This $11 million
seven-year, multi-phase project encompassed the entire 51,832 square foot
building. The project also included the
purchase of the Geva Lofts – 14 studio
apartments for visiting artists.
27,000
$8.4 Million
As a not-for-profit organization with an annual
operating budget of approximately $8.4 million,
Geva employs approximately 200 people throughout the season and has an estimated
overall economic impact on Rochester of more
than $10 million.
$200 Million

Annual Reports
A copy of Geva’s annual report and 990 are available upon request at 75 Woodbury Blvd. Rochester, NY
14607. Our 990 is also available through the NY Attorney General’s Charities Bureau at 120 Broadway.
3rd Floor. New York, NY, 10271.