The Rochester Civic Theatre has a lease with the City of Rochester through 2028. Councilman Michael Wojcik is planning to call for a vote at this week's Council meeting to break the lease, even though we are tenants in good standing.

We ask that you, our most trusted supporters and friends, join us in making it clear that decades of faithful community arts and public service not be lost to the bully pulpit of Mr. Wojcik.

1. The Rochester Civic Theatre has served the City of Rochester for nearly 70 years. The current space that we use to produce live theater, music, and other programming was built with funds raised by the Rochester Civic Theatre and donated to the city.

2. The $200,000 in public funding received from the City of Rochester to cover building expenses has been spent as intended, and verified through actual receipts that the Council has in its possession.

3. Current financial obligations of the Rochester Civic Theatre will not be possible to meet if Mr. Wojcik's proposal passes. The Board feels very confident that we can meet our obligations if we are able to keep possession of our space -- again, space that we have under contract through 2028.

4. Mr. Wojcik's proposal would hand over control of the theater space to be managed by the city per the "one rooftop" concept. Overall, the Board of the Rochester Civic Theatre supports a "one rooftop" concept for the Mayo Civic Center, and the Rochester Civic Theatre poses no threat to the fiscal goals of the City's efforts. Cost savings measures ultimately serve the RCT as well as the City and opens the doors to interesting possible collaborations.The RCT board has been left out of Mr. Wojcik's private conversations regarding his plans and would welcome a transparent conversation about how to help meet the needs of our city through the concept.

Bottom line: The Rochester Civic Theatre has a contract for our space through 2028. We have not violated its terms. The proposal to do something else with the space is inappropriate..

Please click below and sign your support to tell the City of Rochester to honor its lease agreement with the Rochester Civic Theatre and allow us to produce another excellent season of theater in our beautiful city, a city built on a foundation of decency and trust.

Your servants,

The Board of Directors, Rochester Civic Theatre