DPAC – Durham Performing Arts Center

great place. Had a bad experience but overall they are hard working people that sometimes make mistakes like all of us!

Enjoyed the Cabaret show this weekend. The DPAC is a beautiful lit building at night. The people are nice and helpful. Two gentleman with red coats and black top hats held the doors open as the crowd walked in. We walked upstairs and found our seats. The DPAC is clean. Even the bathrooms. Floors are not sticky. After the show, the crowd moved quickly. There wasn’t a bottleneck. I would return to this beautiful art center for another show.

The DPAC is a phenomenal place to watch Broadway shows when they come to Durham. I live in the RTP area, and the drive and Über rides to the DPAC aren’t bad at all. Parking is either free on the street if you are there after hours or on weekends, or $ 5 if you park in a DPAC designated lot. So far I have seen The Book of Mormon and Cabaret with my girlfriend. Both Broadway shows were amazing. The facility itself is extremely clean, and the workers are hospitable and friendly. The snack bar serves an array of alcoholic beverages, coffee, pretzels, popcorn, fruit & cheese trays and cupcakes. The only downside to coming here for a Broadway show are the lines for the bathroom during intermission.

Great place to watch Broadway shows. My husband and I went to watch the Lion King here. Conveniently located as it is in downtown Durham. Easy parking access. We parked at the restaurant we were in, but saw lots of garage parking that’s super cheap (approx $ 5).
Can’t wait to see our next Broadway show at this venue.

1÷20÷2016 Lion King. All I can say is wow. That was so great. The actors were all over the theater singing and dancing. If you get a chance to see lion king do it you won’t be disappointed. We splurged and set in section 1, row D, seats 124 – 125. The dpac was great as usual. My wife and I signed up for season tickets right after the show. Keep up the good work dpac.

1÷23÷2016 Matilda The Musical our 4^th theater experience. The theater was up and running even though there was a winter storm and only ¼ of the ticket holders came that night so the DPAC let everyone move to any seat we wanted as long as we weren’t in a seat that a ticket holder showed up for. My wife and I usually get good seats but we bought tickets late and ended up with nose bleed seats. Due to the winter storm we ended up sitting in the best seats ever right on the front row of the Grand Tier. The DPAC workers were great as usual, Matilda was really good and the theater was clean and comfortable as always. We can’t wait to become season ticket holders for the ²⁰¹⁶⁄₂₀₁₇ season. Way to conduct business DPAC Theater. Truly a class above others.

I love the DPac, it is an awesome venue! The staff is great which is why this place is ran so well. Special shout out to Mary who serves us up tasty Mimosa’s just how Mom and I like them at each show that we attend. For seats, I personally always opt for end seats so I can get in and out easily and make for a quick getaway at the end.
A few shows that I recommend if/​when they return to the DPac: The Book of Mormon, Million Dollar Quartet, Jersey Boys, War Horse, The Rockettes, Rock of Ages and Jekyll & Hyde

By far one of the best venues in the South. I love NY and LA but I will be the first to admit this place rocks. I can tell no differance for any performances that I have seen. I love going here. If you have not been then you are really missing out.

DPAC is obviously amazing so there’s not need to go one about the high quality of their performances or the venue. I do want to rave about their customer service. I always like being greeted at the front door and I have found that whenever I’ve had the slightest complaint or problem (such as being shown to the wrong seat) they give me food vouchers to make up for the hassle. If you know a Duke student you can often get them to buy cheaper tickets at the Duke student box office. Another great promotion is that during ADF people under 30 can get $ 10 tickets for some world class dance shows.
A few other tips: you can order drinks before the show starts that will be waiting for you at intermission so you can skip the lines. Also, if you want to avoid ticket processing fees you can go directly to the box office or call them and there usually is no wait and they are so friendly. They have added another women’s restroom on the orchestra level which is not as visible so the waits are usually shorter. Finally, every year there is a free event in the spring to announce the next year’s Broadway series that has free food and drink and well worth getting there early to enjoy the free food and admire the views.

I love that the big shows make DPAC a priority in their tours. We’ve been to their open house, which included a behind the scenes tour, and the opportunity to sit in the different sections to see perspectives and line of sight towards purchasing tickets. That helped hugely towards our buying Lion King tickets via phone with the fabulous call center customer service people.
So far the only performance we’ve been to is Summit Church’s Christmas at DPAC, and the venue is stunning and the staffers and volunteers are top-​notch.

DPAC is famous nationwide and it makes me feel so proud that it is in my hometown. I surprised my gf to see Wicked here for her bday because it was her favorite. I was apprehensive at first but it was actually pretty great. I even caught myself humming the tunes in the shower afterwards haha. The greeters at DPAC are always dressed up and are always very friendly. Be aware that the bars close before the show ends so double up on your drinks! Also saw The Weeknd here and he was great! Also Dave Chappelle! And even got to meet Weezer here too after the show! All genres perform here… such a great venue!

I went to DPAC for the first time and saw beauty and the beast. The theater is really nice and a lot bigger than I was anticipating. The theater is tall so if you get the cheaper seats, you’re not too much further back, just higher up. The lobby areas are very spacious, modern looking, and very clean. There are also plenty ushers too to help you find your seat.
The inside of the theater is also very nice. The seats are decently comfortable, and there is plenty of leg room. The sound and lighting are all top of line as you’d expect. Overall, the theater is really nice and ideal for watching plays. Beauty and the Beast was really good. It had great music and acting. I would highly recommend watching this play at dpac.

Family of 5 (hubby, munchkin and the grandparents) attended Sound of Music today (fantastic production). We all love this movie (ok, hubby was there just being a good hubby, but the rest of us love the movie). We got the nose bleed tickets as we didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg on top of a recent trip to Disney. Seats were great. There really isn’t a bad seat in the DPAC. This is such a nice theatre. The staff handles the crowds so well. Even during intermission, drink lines went quick. We always have a glass of wine and wait until the very end of intermission to tackle the bathroom. Lines are gone and I still make it back to my seat. We didn’t park in the decks this time and it was much easier and cheaper. We parked over by Dame’s (our pre theatre brunch location) and walked the 5 minutes.

This continues to be the best venue I’ve ever experienced for seeing shows. And now that we are season members of their SunTrust Broadway Series, I’m loving it even more! Their red-​carpet service that they extend to every show-​goer, is even more exuberant with their members. Had I known that we could make monthly payments for it, we would have been members years ago. Seriously one of the best investments we’ve ever made! They communicate with members so well and constantly ask for our input. Also love that we get first dibs on other shows that aren’t included in the season series.
Acoustics in this theater continue to be better than any other theater of this size that we have been to. The fact that the seats are staggered means less chance for a height-​challenged gal like me to have my sight-​line decreased. Even cup-​holders! They allow drinks and small snacks to be taken into the theater.
The variety and quality of shows they bring is also second-​to-​none. I strongly recommend keeping an eye on their website, because they are constantly adding shows.
Am happy with the wine choices and prices aren’t crazy. Note: less expensive wines can be had downstairs and at their main windows, with «premium» ones offered elsewhere. Also like the coffee/​tea service. Buy a cup and you can refill it as much as you want. Husband isn’t thrilled with bourbon/​whiskey options, but he makes do somehow. :)
Parking lots are all around… not free, but not crazy expensive either. Parking passes are kindly included with our season tickets, which is yet another nice touch!
Note that almost all seats mean a climb up stairs first. If you want slightly less of a climb, there is a staircase to the right when you first come in that seems a bit easier than the one straight ahead. Of course they have elevators as well if needed.
They continue to do an excellent job directing traffic, inside & out, from the parking decks to the bathrooms. (literally…they direct traffic in the women’s room at intermissions!)
Warning if you have children… under 6 is not allowed. As much as I love kids, I think this is a great policy to have.

I have been to the DPAC 3 times in the last 30 days to see a show and it has been a wonderful experience !
One little mix up at will call, but nonetheless it was resolved and doesn’t deter me from returning. The
Staff is friendly, and so far all shows have started promptly. The venue offers plenty of parking options and is in the heart of downtown Durham surrounded by plenty of dining options. I love the little touches like fresh flowers inside the venue and the cleanliness. Guests have the option to get coffee/​tea as well as cocktails and a chance to have their picture taken free on the Red Carpet!
I am impressed by the 2015 – 2016 calendar and the variety of shows that are coming to the Triangle. I highly recommend you snag some tix to an upcoming performance !

Came here for Beauty and the Beast and it was absolutely perfect! I wasn’t sure what to expect because it was my first time to Durham/​DPAC but I was pleasantly surprised and can’t wait to return! I read that parking was a pain but we had no problem at all finding a spot at a parking garage right by the railroad tracks for $ 5. After we parked we made our way towards the venue and were greeted by not one, but four different staff members on our little trek. What a nice touch. I love hospitality at its finest.
We made it in and ordered some drinks I got a double wine in a big cup because I didn’t want to have to go back and wait in line during the intermission. It was reasonably priced I think $ 6 or $ 7 per glass. I got a cheese and fruit snack from the concession it was $ 5? and there was TONS of cheese. Definitely order that next time you have a ladies/​date night you can easily share that with two or three people.
DPAC is the kind of place that every seat is a good seat. Our seats were in section 10 up in the balcony and it was perfect. No complaints here. The sound, lighting, and stage were all beautiful as well. I can’t wait to visit again!

This theatre is great! It’s got tons of windows and a beautiful lobby area. The snack stands typically are great. They have a yummy fruit and cheese tray, it’s so good! Obviously everything is expensive, but unlike movie theatres-​the food is actually decent! We saw So You Think You Can Dance and Beauty and The Beast here and both shows were pretty impressive. Next week we’re seeing So You Think You Can Dance again, and I can’t wait. DPAC is also in close proximity to really good restaurants too, which is nice.

Love catching Broadway shows on tour here. They serve Starbucks coffee and Tazo tea and they have unlimited refills (no café latte though :(). I wish we had something like it in Raleigh but still I’m thankful it exists in 30 minutes from us. The parking next to DPAC fills up really fast so if you want to park very close by be as early as possible.

Superior experience. Show was great. Acoustics and lighting were excellent. Temperature in theater was good. Even bathroom lines were well managed. I still have a problem with having to climb up one flight of stairs when you enter building. But I do know where elevator is located if I choose to use it. Great show. Especially stand out are the ushers, ticket takers and all the staff. They are smiling, genuine and a pleasure to meet.

The DPAC is an amazing venue, and I feel like we’re really fortunate to have it here in the Triangle. We have a lot of other good venues in the area, but with the combination of solid food options, easy access and parking, and great bars nearby, I can’t think of a better place to see live performances.
Downtown Durham is the perfect setting for a large venue like this. With at least a dozen large parking decks in walking distance and easy access to the highway, it’s very easy for people from all over the Triangle to come for a show. The seats are comfortable, and I don’t think there’s a bad view anywhere in the whole place. Traffic inside and out are managed effectively for large crowds, and I’ve never even had much trouble with the food/​drink stands or bathrooms.
It’s not very hard to plan a trip for a show here, but my only advice would be to plan your dining options ahead of time. Show times vary, but I would definitely try to make reservations for any of the fancier dining options within walking distance. Tobacco Road is probably your best option if you don’t want to plan ahead, as they can fit a lot of people and have a pretty quick turn over. Even then, you’d be best off calling ahead if you’re seeing a crowded show.
Overall, I really have nothing to complain about with the DPAC and I’m really excited for the quality of acts it brings to the Triangle. We’ve had so many more big names in the area since the DPAC opened, and it doesn’t impact traffic anywhere near as badly as some other venues in the area.

First time here to watch a Zelda concert!
I loved the attendants and the service. Everyone was super nice and made sure we knew where we were going in regards to seats, balcony, etc. Though I didn’t expect people to be formally dressed for this event, it was a bit more casual than the Pantages Theater in LA, or the Walt Disney Concert Hall. I’m curious when the musicals show up in Durham whether that ambiance will change.

I have been to DPAC a few times, and have sat in varying locations, but I can honestly say there isn’t a bad seat anywhere in this building! The sound is amazing. And I’m glad the people working here are so diligent about keeping people from using their phones during the show. Also the parking is super easy with the garage right next door. I can see why this place is rated in the top throughout the nation!

Wow, the Triangle is lucky to have such a wonderful venue in its vicinity. I am a season ticket holder for the Broadway series and am always blown away by the shows that come through our region. I’ve sat everywhere from the floor to the top balcony and always feel like I’ve gotten my money’s worth!
I am continually impressed with how clean the theater is, even though food and drink are allowed. The staff is always friendly, whether greeting you at the door, scanning your ticket or showing you to your seat.

We really are lucky to have such an incredible performing arts center in Durham! Truly the best venue in the triangle with so many fantastic concerts, broadways and talents people coming through. I love it’s accessibility to downtown (both for parking, food and drink!), proximity to the highway and organization within the space. Although I have only seen a handful of shows in the space, I’ve always sat on the orchestra level, so I can’t speak for the other levels. But, I have been seated in the very, very back of the orchestra level, and I can’t say there’s never been a bad seat so far! Whether you’re seeing a group (Blue Man Group), or a broadway (Book of Mormon), or a musician (Sufjan Stevens) the DPAC is a wonderful venue. I was hesitant to initially see a musician at a Performing Arts Center, you don’t get the energy from ‘standing in a big crowd’. But, it was still an amazing and much more relaxed experience.
They have an incredible sound system that translates all across the space equally, and the ‘light shows’ they’re capable of there are extraordinary. They have all sorts of snacks and drinks for purchase including wine, beer and liquor AND have cupholders at every seat for your convenience. This is the only place where I’ve spelled Starbucks coffee and started to crave it. The chair are comfy and there’s lots of leg room. The staff is friendly and quick acting in emergency situation (which yes, I have been a witness of!) Now, I personally wouldn’t put the DPAC on my must do list if you’re vacationing in the triangle, but it’s definitely worth a visit if there’s someone in town who interests you. The ONLY qualm I have is to STOP using Ticketmaster for all their shows. Ticketmaster charges insane «fees» and it can be very frustrating to buy a ticket when they go on sale. I really wish the DPAC would move ticket sales in house.
P. S. A tip for pros, message or compliment me for the BEST FREE parking for the DPAC! It’s a secret tip, so you know I’m not just going to share it with anyone ;)

DPAC is a «must-​do» if you’re an out-​of-​town theater lover in the RTP for any reasonable length of time. The magnificent and convenient downtown Durham location, spectacular lineup of shows, and red-​carpet treatment from beginning to end make for a memorable experience.
On a recent business trip, I had an evening free and was lucky enough to score a front orchestra ticket to Kinky Boots, which I had seen on the silver screen several years ago and loved. The show delivered spectacularly — with fantastic music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, excellent staging and costumes (especially all those kinky boots!), and an unabashedly superb performance by J. Harrison Ghee in the lead role of Lola the drag queen.
I can’t wait to come back and see what they have to offer the next time I’m in Durham!