Little Theatre, Rochester, Art Deco movie theater in downtown Rochester, United States
The Little Theatre is an Art Deco movie theater in downtown Rochester, New York, with five screening rooms connected by an interior corridor. The building also contains a small cafe, making it a self-contained space for an evening out.
The theater opened in 1929 as part of the Little Cinema Movement, which promoted independent and foreign films in small urban venues across the United States. In 1985, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognized for its Art Deco architecture.
The Little Theatre screens independent films, documentaries, and international productions that rarely appear in mainstream venues. The corridors between the screening rooms display rotating local art, so the building stays active even between showings.
Live music often plays before evening screenings on weekdays, so arriving a little early is a good idea. The cafe and the art on display in the corridors give you something to explore before the film starts.
Since 1998, the theater has operated as a nonprofit, which means its revenue goes back into running the programs rather than returning a profit. This setup allows it to take chances on films that a commercial venue would rarely consider.
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