Photo by Campbell Photos

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre opened in 1983 and achieved non-profit status in 1984. The Theatre operated at 166 Andrews Street, underneath Beam’s Restaurant, before moving next door to the basement of 151 St. Paul Street. After 14 years, it moved to 20 Windsor Street in the East End’s Cultural District. 
During the past 30 years, DCT has offered thousands of performances of more than 300 productions, with annual attendance reaching 26,000 (generally 300 performances of 20+ different productions annually).

Downstairs Cabaret’s main location houses a 99-seat theatre used primarily for popular musicals and comedies; Downstairs Cabaret Theatre Center houses another 99-seat theatre (used primarily for music event, dramas, and world premieres), classrooms, rehearsal space, and production support spaces. In addition to an ambitious year-round schedule of performances (including regional and national touring), DCT offers classes in acting, music, dance, and improvisation for students ages 5-18 each summer.  In 2010, DCT also opened a suburban location at 3450 Winton Place, Brighton-Henrietta.  The 200+ seat theatre at this location allows for larger-scale productions in the same casual and intimate setting its audiences have come to expect and enjoy at all of DCT's venues.