Shea's Auditorium

Shea's Buffalo Theatre - Table of Contents

2026 Photos - Doris Collins / Grand Lobby / Petite Lobby / Second Floor Hallway

Shea's Buffalo Theatre

646 Main Street, Buffalo, New York

Unless indicated otherwise, photos below taken October 16, 2026

Restoration Manager Doris Collins

"Collins was born in Germany, and her family relocated to the Unites Staters when she was 10. She worked as an art teacher, and became interested in restorations while living in Northern Italy and working in Austria. Later, while employed by a decorating firm in Erie, Pennsylvania, she met a contractor who requested help framing artwork from churches. This experience led her to a restoration job at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna. There, she met Tony Conti, a board member at Shea's, who invited her to oversee the theater's restoration. Since the mid-1990s, Collins has guided a team of dedicted volunteers who are committed to preserving and restoring Shea's to its past glory." - Jeff Scholber, "The Majesty of Shea’s Performing Arts Center: What You’ve Never known Before"

Grand Lobby

Grand Lobby Original chandeliers, made in Chicago with Czech cut crystal.

Grand Lobby Coffered (plaster) Spanish Baroque Revival ceiling

Grand Lobby Original chandeliers, made in Chicago with Czech cut crystal

Grand Lobby

Grand Lobby Original chandeliers, made in Chicago with Czech cut crystal.

Grand Lobby "Mignon" by Jules Lefebvre.
Owned originally the Vanderbilts of New York. Purchased by Michael Shea as a style-appropriate addition

Grand Lobby Note reproduction drapes that are accurate in terms of material, color and pattern. Detail below:

Grand Lobby Reproduction drapes that are accurate in terms of material, color and pattern

Grand Lobby

Grand Lobby Double-vase balusters

Grand Lobby Sconce

Petite Lobby

Petite Lobby Crystal chandeliers: crystals from Czechoslovakia; fixtures made in Chicago (same co. that made chandeliers for the Uptown Theater, also by the Rapp brothers.

Petite Lobby

Second Floor Hallway

Second Floor Hall

Second Floor Hall The drapes shown in these photos are reproduction drapes that are accurate in terms of material, color and pattern

Second Floor Hall

Second Floor Hall Spanish Baroque Revival armchair with unusually large s-scroll legs and c-scroll feet Detail below:

Second Floor Hall Spanish Baroque Revival armchair with unusually large s-scroll legs and c-scroll feet.
Reproduction original carpet with scrolling acanthus leaves pattern.

Second Floor Hall Spanish Baroque Revival sofa Three cartouches on sofa cresting Reproduction original carpet with scrolling acanthus leaves pattern

Second Floor Hall Spanish Baroque Revival Cartouche on sofa crest
Wall stenciling is an accurate reproduction in terms of color and pattern - but not material.
Originally, the walls were covered with flock wallpaper. Special permission from SHPO had to be given in order for Shea's to retain its National Trust of Historic Preservation listing.
The justification for the exemption was based on prohibitive cost and the option that future renovation might include flock wallpaper on a stenciled - not damaged - surface.
Restoration Manager Doris Collins has supervised 6,000 square feet of stenciling.

Second Floor Hall Cartouche
Wall stenciling is an accurate reproduction in terms of color and pattern - but not material.
Originally, the walls were covered with flock wallpaper. Special permission from SHPO had to be given in order for Shea's to retain its National Trust of Historic Preservation listing.
The justification for the exemption was based on prohibitive cost and the option that future renovation might include flock wallpaper on a stenciled - not damaged - surface.
Restoration Manager Doris Collins has supervised 6,000 square feet of stenciling.

Second Floor Hall Michael Shea 2009 photo

Second Floor Hall

Second Floor Hall Original sconce made in Chicago with brass and Czech cut crystal.
The wall stenciling is an accurate reproduction in terms of color and pattern - but not material. Originally, the walls were covered with flock wallpaper. Special permission from SHPO had to be given in order for Shea's to retain its National Trust of Historic Preservation listing. The justification for the exemption was based on prohibitive cost and the option that future renovation might include flock wallpaper on a stenciled - not damaged - surface.
Restoration Manager Doris Collins has supervised 6,000 square feet of stenciling.

Special thanks to CEO Anthony Conte, Restoration Manager Doris Collins, House Manager Scott Saxon and House Stage Hand Pasquale Syracuse for their cooperation.