dpac - durham performing arts center

We just returned from our first visit to the Durham Performing Arts Center and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. The place is lovely. Parking was surprisingly low ($3 to $8) and signage is easy, it is clean and well organized and the employees are so nice. The sound system was excellent. This place Greensboro's venue to shame. We hope to return in the near future.

Being a native of the NY metropolitan area, I have enjoyed many visits to Broadway. Seeing touring companies of Broadway shows is a recent and surprisingly delightful experience having done so in Durham, Charlotte and Raleigh. DPAC, in particular, has just the right combination of professional productions, friendly staff, and a fun location. Access is a breeze with plenty of convenient parking, and interesting restaurant choices within a short walk. The theater is beautiful with excellent acoustics, comfortable seating, a wine and coffee bar and good snacks. We'll be back.

We have been going to DPAC for the past few years. We have never ever been disappointed in any production we saw. The place is beautiful and clean. This year we have season tickets to the Broadway series. Last night we saw Kinky Boots and it was fabulous!! I heartily recommend this venue to anyone who is looking to see a beautiful production for concert.

Your review of your recent visit really made my day. We truly delight in being our guests favorite place for live entertainment and it was good to read that we're meeting that goal with you. Keep the feedback coming! Cheers!

It was great to see the review of your recent visit to DPAC. We really like hearing from guests and learn from every guest we hear from. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. It as our pleasure to host the Broadway hit Motown and I am glad we met all expectations.

Thanks for the nice review. I hope you have the chance to visit again soon!

Thank you for this very nice feedback. Please know that we too wish DPAC had escalators. Unfortunately the construction budget for DPAC just did not allow for that amenity. We are always looking forward to future improvements and hope that an escalator to the Orchestra lobby might be possible one day. Please keep the feedback coming!

I am so glad you shared this nice feedback. We work hard to be the very best and appreciate your support.

We're flattered by your nice review. I hope you have the chance to visit again soon.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on DPAC. We're just part of what makes Downtown Durham such a gem. Dozens of great restaurants, beautiful well lit parking decks, new hotels and an authentic feel that is unique in North Carolina. I appreciate you letting TripAdvisor readers in on your positive experiences.

I enjoyed reading your review and thank you for this nice feedback. You comment on the weather is also timely with the winter storm we had just this week. Large entertainment and sports events are rarely cancelled unless the stars, players or cast are unable to perform. Events proceeded this week all over North Carolina including at the PNC Arena, The Carolina Theater of Durham, Duke University, and at UNC Chapel Hill . With North Carolina weather, it's always an unknown in terms of exactly what type and amount of precipitation will fall, and conditions can vary widely throughout the region. We always watch the weather closely and monitor road conditions and do understand the hardship that inclement weather may cause for some travelers. Local weather or road conditions that may affect an individual guest or guests from attending are not cause for cancellation. As much as this decision is frustrating, cancelling would possibly have been even more frustrating to the majority of ticket buyers who were able to attend the performances this week. Unfortunately, the schedules of these national touring shows just do not allow them to postpone a show and then add an additional performance while they are still in town. Keep the feedback and questions coming. We learn from every guest we hear from.

It was so kind of you to take the time to help TripAdvisor readers learn more about DPAC. I hope we will see you again soon!

My favorite reviews are the ones with the most detail. It's great that you took the time to share this feedback with other TripAdvisor readers. I also have some great news regarding restrooms. This May we'll be opening an additional ladies room that will increase capacity by 33%. For the big Broadway shows with so many women in attendance, unfortunately there may always be some lines, but we really think this addition will help.Thanks again...we appreciate hearing from each and every guest.

Yours was my favorite new TripAdvisor review. Thank you for taking the time to share how great concerts can be at DPAC. I also want to apologize that DPAC's big video screens were not in use for this concert. We always ask each artist if they can be used, but some decline based on artistic considerations with the show. You have my promise we'll host Diana Ross again!

Thanks for your feedback! We love hearing from guests and learn from everyone we hear from. I am sorry we have disappointed you with our policy of allowing small snacks into the theater. This is an area that we discuss and review often. Not that the "majority rules", but this policy is very common among large commercial theaters like DPAC, and in fact most Broadway theaters in New York also now allow snacks and drinks in the seating area just like DPAC. It is also a policy that is mirrored at the large theater in Raleigh that hosts Broadway style performances. Our policy is based on the simple goal of convenience. Audience feedback tells us that guests like the option of not having to rush to finish a snack or drink and being allowed to bring these items to their seats before the show or after intermission. With this convenience there is indeed a downside when as you note, some guests rattle wrappers or accidently spill a drink. We do work to minimize these disruptions with a public service campaign encouraging guests to be respectful with wrappers, and to finish large food items like sandwiches before entering the seating area. We do this with audience announcements before shows, website listings and emails to guests with information about guest etiquette, and with ads in our Broadway program. We are also always on the search for quieter packaging for our snacks. Your thoughts are valued and I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective. We do occasionally hear from other guests that share your opinion on snacks and beverages in the seating area and we'll continue to carefully consider our policies going forward.Thanks again!