About Us
The Theater at Innovation Square is Rochester's center for Performing Arts, Entertainment and Community Engagement. Formerly known as Xerox Auditorium, The Theater has been a much-loved space in Rochester for generations. Located just blocks from the Strong National Museum of Play, GEVA Theatre and The Eastman School of Music, The Theater at Innovation Square offers a wide array of programming for all ages and demographics.
The Theater is the dream of local Rochester couple Natalie Fuller and Karl Stabnau, who decided to make Karl’s hometown their forever home after finishing multiple graduate degrees. They immediately embraced the Rochester arts community through teaching and concert programming.
Having grown up here, Karl has watched local arts organizations struggle to find the "Goldilocks" performance space — not too big, not too small, but just right. When the opportunity presented itself to operate The Theater at Innovation Square, the couple excitedly pivoted their plans (and life savings) from making a house down payment to diving into the world of managing and programming a performing arts venue and forming Innovation Arts Management.
As the world emerged from the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, it was an interesting time for Karl and Natalie to decide to open a theater. However, the closures gave them the necessary window to complete a whirlwind 6-month renovation of the 700-seat theater, now equipped with state-of-the-art tech and a new thrust stage.
With the goal of supporting Rochester arts groups that are seeking a venue as they once were, Karl and Natalie are providing the “just right,” and perhaps perfect, home for arts organization small and large, both locally known and internationally celebrated. Curtain up, downbeat! We’re ready for the show.
