Sidney B. Pfeifer

Sidney B. Pfeifer was a lawyer (UB Law School Class of 1920) and native of Buffalo who often did legal work for various theatrical enterprises.  A patron of the arts, he established the Sidney B. Pfeifer Foundation in 1966 to support Buffalo Theatre.  Pfeifer was a correspondent for Variety for 50 years and reported on many local shows, including those held at the Town Casino. Sidney B. Pfeifer died in 1967.  

In 1985, with a gift from the Sidney B. Pfeifer Foundation, the University at Buffalo Foundation purchased the Center Theatre from Studio Arena Theatre for $200,000 and renamed it the Sidney B. Pfeifer Theatre.  Located at 681 Main Street, the theatre had been leased by UB for the previous seven years.  Though it would be mainly used to stage productions of the UB Department of Theatre and Dance, it was also available for use by the theatre programs at Buffalo State College and the SUNY College at Fredonia, and theatre productions of local community groups.  In addition to the purchase price, the Sidney B. Pfeifer Foundation provided $125,000 for theatre renovations.  

Affiliation(s): Law
Record Group(s): 21

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