A Letter From DPAC
The arts have a tremendous power to bring communities together through shared experiences. At DPAC, we are proud to contribute to our community, not only by offering a diverse calendar of events each season, but also through educational and youth driven programming, charitable contributions and affordable ticket initiatives.
Since 2008, Heart of the Arts, DPAC’s branch of community engagement programming, has been offering exciting opportunities for local non-profits, education groups and guests.
Through these programs and more, we are touched daily by the incredible people and organizations in our community. To be a small part of their lives is something all of us here at
Performing Arts Ambassadors
Each fall, DPAC selects area high school students who are passionate about live entertainment to serve as Performing Arts Ambassadors throughout the school year.
Ambassadors are offered unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to attend DPAC’s varied and diverse events, while also having the chance to shadow DPAC staff and report on their experiences via videos, online blogs, and social media posts.
Through this program, DPAC provides Ambassadors with meaningful and impactful experiences, while guiding their future careers in the arts.
Performing Arts Ambassadors are made possible by the generous support of
Discover Broadway
Discover Broadway allows Season Seat Members to donate tickets so their valuable seats do not go unused.
Thanks to the generosity of DPAC’s Season Seat members, thousands of tickets have been donated to deserving high schools and universities located throughout Durham. For many, these seats provided opportunities for students to experience their first ever Broadway show.
For those that we serve through this program, these opportunities are more than just a ticket, they are a chance to experience something that could inspire goals and dreams for the future.
How To Donate
• If you know in advance that you cannot attend a show, or even if one member of your party will not be joining you, simply contact DPAC.
• You will receive an acknowledgement from DPAC that your unused seat tickets will be transferred to an area student.
• DPAC will handle all other details and provide instructions to the recipient on how to access their tickets.
• Please Note: Ticket donations must be made at least 72 hours prior to the performance date. Discover Broadway donations do not provide tax donation receipts.
Discover Broadway is made possible by the generous support of
Local Hero Spotlight
DPAC’s Local Hero Spotlight presented by Longfellow Real Estate Partners recognizes those in the Triangle who are doing great deeds in service to their communities or families. Recipients receive a VIP night out at DPAC and in many cases, this night out provides an opportunity for those who have never been to DPAC to have their first-ever live theater experience.
Community members selected for this honor receive a DPAC VIP experience, including premium seating to a select show, VIP parking and access to DPAC’s BMW of Southpoint President’s Club hospitality area.
Local Hero Spotlight is made possible by the generous support of
One Community at DPAC
DPAC invites local charities, non-profits, youth-driven organizations, and more to sign up to receive special complimentary seat offers to touring events who chose to gift seats to the community.
To be as inclusive as possible, DPAC aims to make touring events available and affordable to all community members interested in attending. One way that we are achieving this is through One Community at DPAC.
Occasionally shows that we host allow the distribution of seats to important local charities, non-profits, and youth driven organizations.
When opportunities do arise, we will reach out to interested community contacts via email with ticket offers.
Each summer DPAC presents a musical theatre intensive for Broadway enthusiasts ages 10-17. Next Stop Broadway® is a week-long program consisting of classes, workshops, and rehearsals focused on classic Broadway shows. A staff of Broadway professionals teaches participants ensemble songs and choreography from hit shows and participants work together throughout the week to create unique skits. The program culminates with an “Opening Night” performance for family and friends on DPAC’s stage!
Next Stop Broadway® encourages teamwork and is designed to teach the importance of building a strong Ensemble. All participants are part of the Ensemble; no auditions are required and there are no “lead” roles. Previous theater experience is celebrated but not necessary, and anyone with an interest in the performing arts is welcome.
With a grant from DPAC of over $10,000, 20% of participants will receive fully paid scholarships to attend the program at no cost.
Next Stop Broadway is made possible by the generous support of
Charitable Events
DPAC loves hosting charitable and community events when possible. While our calendar is packed year-round with touring shows, each year DPAC selects one open date per quarter, (four per year) to waive rental charges and host special charitable and community events. Proposals for these open dates are accepted on an ongoing basis, year-round.
Past events include Durham Public Schools “Evening of Entertainment” benefitting the DPS Scholarship Fund, “Nashville Songwriters” at DPAC benefitting Kidznotes, the “Reality Ministries Talent Show,” and “Durham 150’s Sesquicentennial Closing Celebration” for Durham’s 150th birthday.
DPAC for All
Specially Discounted Tickets for Durham Residents and Students including those from homes with lower incomes.
Inspired by Durham’s great community leader, MaryAnn Black, DPAC created this special discount program for Durham residents in 2018. Since then, DPAC for ALL has opened the door to thousands of new guests including many attending their first-ever live performance.
Before her passing in 2020, MaryAnn shared, “I am pleased that the program DPAC for ALL is available for the people of Durham. They have an opportunity to experience the wonderful shows, the lovely venue and the warmth shown by the staff at DPAC. DPAC for ALL is a promise made by DPAC to be inclusive and to let the residents of Durham know of DPAC’s commitment to the community.”
DPAC is proud to continue offering this program in memory of MaryAnn Black, who served Durham in numerous ways throughout her lifetime as a County Commissioner, State Senator, and award-winning clinical social worker for more than 30 years.
With a grassroots marketing outreach focused on homes with lower incomes, DPAC For ALL seats are priced at $14.50 - $29.50 (+ tax), a savings of 25% to 50% for most Broadway shows at DPAC, as well as a variety of other events including concerts, comedy, family shows and more.
More than anything, DPAC for ALL shares the magic and the power of performing arts, bringing together and uplifting people from all walks of life.
Broadway Connects
Broadway Connects links touring Broadway stars with area youth through Meet and Greets, Talkbacks and hands-on learning opportunities.
Through this program DPAC facilitates multiple in-person educational workshops for Durham Public School programs, ranging from dance classes to vocal coaching, to audition preparation.
Broadway Connects is made possible by the generous support of
Each year, DPAC celebrates outstanding high school musical theater achievements with our Regional Awards Program, The DPAC Rising Star Awards. The program focuses attention on the meaningful work being done both on and off stage by dedicated teachers and students.
As the regional qualifying event for The National High School Musical Theatre Awards™ (NHSMTA), also known as The Jimmy Awards®, The DPAC Rising Star Awards brings together high school musical theater students across central North Carolina to perform and compete for a chance to represent DPAC in the national finals in New York City.
The DPAC Rising Star Awards is made possible by the generous support of
The DPAC Rising Star Awards
Student performers across the country compete in the Jimmy Awards®, by winning top honors at regional high school musical theatre awards competitions presented by Broadway League member performing arts centers just like DPAC.
The DPAC Rising Star Awards winner, Elena Holder, went on to win the top prize of “Best Performance by an Actress” at the Jimmy Awards® in 2021. She received a check for $25,000 to further her education, invitations to audition for multiple Broadway shows, and incredible national exposure.
Joshua Thompson and Symoné Spencer, The DPAC Rising Star Awards winners in 2022, were both Finalists at the Jimmy Awards® that year, bringing home thousands of dollars in scholarship prizes, and invitations to sign with numerous reputable talent agencies and management companies that work with some of the biggest stars on Broadway and in Hollywood.
The DPAC Rising Star Awards, and the Jimmy Awards®, are proving life changing experiences which propel the careers of our future Broadway stars.
at the Jimmy Awards®
DPAC is proud to support the work of our community partners.
