About The Kav

  • Under the artistic direction of David Lamb, the idea was two-fold:

    1. To form a local company of paid professional actors to produce a subscription season of plays and to work as an ensemble along the lines of a traditional repertory company.

    2. To raise money with D'Youville College to restore the small Edwardian gem of a theater to serve as a home for the company.

    The 1970's were spent producing in the Porter-View Room under the company name of Stage Centre. At that time The Kavinoky Theatre was the only locally producing professional theatre company in Buffalo. By 1979 the D'Youville Capital Campaign to restore the theater under the leadership of Edward Kavinoky was completed.

    Restoration and refurbishing work was completed in time for the 1980-81 Season, and the theater was renamed The Kavinoky Theatre.

    The Kavinoky Theatre has earned a reputation for consistently high-quality productions, and has received countless awards.Over the years, The Kavinoky has had a seminal influence on the growth of live theatre in Buffalo. Many local professional actors had their start at The Kavinoky, as did many of the Artistic Directors. When we began we were alone; there are now over thirty producing organizations in town and we are proud to have paved the way for Buffalo's thriving theatre community.

    1. A completely renovated, charming, turn of the century facility, with rococo architecture, a balcony and box seats.

    2. A warm and invitingly intimate atmosphere with free, protected parking.

    3. A strong subscriber base of patrons who repeatedly return for The Kavinoky’s high-quality shows.

    4. The security of a unique relationship with D'Youville University, its board, and President Lorrie Clemo, who is strongly supportive of the theatre’s mission and is dedicated to community outreach.

    5. The Kavinoky Theatre is the area’s largest, locally producing, employer of AEA (the professional actors’ union) actors.

  • The D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre produces evocative and thought provoking live theatre that is inclusive and accessible to all.

  • The D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre strives to provide a cultural and entertaining live theatre experience by embracing a shared vision of inclusivity, service, leadership and enrichment for our community.

Directions:

    • Take NYS Thruway I-90 W toward Buffalo.

    • Take exit 50 for I-290 toward Niagara Falls. Continue onto I-290 W.

    • Use the left 2 lanes to take the Interstate 190 S exit toward Buffalo. Merge onto I-190 S.

    • Take exit 9 for Porter Ave toward Peace Bridge/Fort Erie Canada.

    • Turn left onto Porter Ave.

    • At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit and stay on Porter Ave.

    • MAIN ENTRANCE:

      • From Porter Ave, turn left onto Prospect Ave.

      • Our main entrance is on Prospect Ave., at the top of the stairs, next to the large Kavinoky sign on our building.

    • HANDICAPPED ENTRANCE:

      • From Porter Ave, turn left onto Fargo Ave.

      • Take the 3rd exit into Parking Lot A. (see map in PARKING section).

      • Follow signs to access doors and elevators to the theatre.

    • Take NYS Thruway I-90 W toward Buffalo.

    • Take exit 51W to merge onto NY-33 W toward Buffalo.

    • Exit onto NY-33 W/Goodell St.

    • Slight right onto Edward St.

    • Turn right onto S Elmwood Ave.

    • Turn left at the 3rd cross street onto North St.

    • At the traffic circle, continue straight onto Porter Ave.

    • MAIN ENTRANCE:

      • From Porter Ave, turn right onto Prospect Ave.

      • Our main entrance is on Prospect Ave., at the top of the stairs, next to the large Kavinoky sign on our building.

    • HANDICAPPED ENTRANCE:

      • From Porter Ave, turn right onto Fargo Ave.

      • Take the 3rd exit into Parking Lot A. (see map in PARKING section).

      • Follow signs to access doors and elevators to the theatre.

    • Take NYS Thruway I-90 E toward Buffalo.

    • Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 53 for I-190 toward Downtown Buffalo/Niagara Falls. Continue onto I-190 N.

    • Take exit 8 for NY-266/Niagara St. Continue onto NY-266 N.

    • Turn left onto Niagara St.

    • Turn right onto Porter Ave.

    • MAIN ENTRANCE:

      • From Porter Ave, turn left onto Prospect Ave.

      • Our main entrance is on Prospect Ave., at the top of the stairs, next to the large Kavinoky sign on our building.

    • HANDICAPPED ENTRANCE:

      • From Porter Ave, turn left onto Fargo Ave.

      • Take the 3rd exit into Parking Lot A. (see map in PARKING section).

      • Follow signs to access doors and elevators to the theatre.

    • Take Genesee Street West to NY-33 W heading toward Buffalo.

    • Use the right 2 lanes to take the NY-198 W exit. Continue onto NY-198 W.

    • Use the left lane to merge onto I-190 S toward Downtown.

    • Take exit 9 for Porter Ave toward Peace Bridge/Fort Erie Canada.

    • Turn left onto Porter Ave.

    • At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit and stay on Porter Ave.

    • MAIN ENTRANCE:

      • From Porter Ave, turn left onto Prospect Ave.

      • Our main entrance is on Prospect Ave., at the top of the stairs, next to the large Kavinoky sign on our building.

    • HANDICAPPED ENTRANCE:

      • From Porter Ave, turn left onto Fargo Ave.

      • Take the 3rd exit into Parking Lot A. (see map in PARKING section).

      • Follow signs to access doors and elevators to the theatre.

    • Enter through U.S. Customs at the Peace Bridge/Fort Erie.

    • Cross the Peace Bridge.

    • Turn right toward Sheridan Terrace.

    • Keep right to continue toward Sheridan Terrace.

    • Slight right onto Sheridan Terrace.

    • Slight right toward Busti Ave.

    • Merge onto Busti Ave

    • Turn left onto Porter Ave.

    • MAIN ENTRANCE:

      • From Porter Ave, turn left onto Prospect Ave.

      • Our main entrance is on Prospect Ave., at the top of the stairs, next to the large Kavinoky sign on our building.

    • HANDICAPPED ENTRANCE:

      • From Porter Ave, turn left onto Fargo Ave.

      • Take the 3rd exit into Parking Lot A. (see map in PARKING section).

      • Follow signs to access doors and elevators to the theatre.

Parking:

Main Entrance Parking:
The main entrance to the theatre is on Prospect Ave, which is a one-way street with parking available on both sides of the street. Please see map & key below:

Handicapped Entrance Parking:
The handicapped entrance to the theatre is in Parking Lot A, which is off of the traffic circle on Fargo Ave. Please see map & key below: