Dryden Theatre closing for two weeks (June 27-July 12) for technology upgrade-new projectors, sound system, screen

First major upgrade in theater's 56-year history made possible via state grant championed by Senators Nozzolio, Alesi, Maziarz, and Robach

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — When the lights come up in the Dryden Theatre after the June 26 screening of I Shot Jesse James and the audience exits, the theater doors will be closing for more than two weeks, from June 27 through July 12, to allow for a long-awaited technology upgrade. The upgrades will include installation of new projectors, speakers and amplifiers, PA system, infrared system for the hearing impaired, and a projection screen.

This next step in the Dryden renovation project — which began in 2002 with improvements to the lobby and box offices — was made possible by a $500,000 grant from the New York State Dormitory Authority that was championed by our New York State Senators: Senator Michael F. Nozzolio, Senator James S. Alesi, Senator George D. Maziarz, and Senator Joseph E. Robach. Additional support was provided through the capital grants program of the New York State Council on the Arts.

Being installed in the projection booth are Kinoton FP 38 E dual 35mm/16mm projectors, replacing the theater's original projectors from the theater's opening in 1951 — two Century 35mm projectors that will cleaned and wrapped for safe keeping, called into service for special screenings of rare, original nitrate prints (the Dryden is one of only a handful of theaters in the country where audiences can experience nitrate prints).

After these changes are made, screening and sound quality will exceed standards required by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. Minimal enhancements have been made since the theatre opened, but no major upgrades have been undertaken until now.

While the visual and audio experience of Dryden patrons will be greatly enhanced, the changes will not be readily apparent upon entering the theater. Perhaps the only noticeable change will be enlarged port windows in the projection booth wall. But the audience members will see the real changes when the credits roll and they begin to enjoy a film-going experience of exceptional quality.

Dryden reopens July 13 with special event featuring actor Farley Granger
To showcase the technology upgrade, the Dryden Theatre will reopen at 7 p.m. Friday, July 13 with a screening of Alfred Hitchcock's magnificent thriller Strangers on a Train (1959) — which earned an Oscar® nomination for Best Cinematography — and welcome the film's star, Farley Granger. (Click here to view press release)

A veteran of seven decades of film history, stage and screen star Granger will introduce what is perhaps his best-known movie, and answer audience questions following the screening in a session moderated by film historian Foster Hirsch. After the discussion, he will sign copies of his new memoir, Include Me Out: My Life from Goldwyn to Broadway, written with Robert Calhoun. Books will be available for purchase in the Eastman House Store.

Tickets go on sale June 15 and are $10 general admission and $8 members/students. Click here to buy advance tickets! Tickets are also available at (585) 271-3361 ext. 295; the Eastman House admissions desk; or the Dryden Theatre box office (before June 27 and day of event). Click here for more information.

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