Durham Performing Arts Center Seating Chart
DPAC is one of the top-grossing theaters in the country, anchoring the SunTrust touring Broadway series in the Carolinas. The modern downtown Durham hall opened in 2008 with three steep tiers, wide aisles, and a stage built for full national tours and concerts.
Sections at Durham Performing Arts Center
Durham Performing Arts Center's seating bowl is organized into the following main sections. Section layout differs by event — a sports configuration and a concert configuration of the same arena are not the same chart.
- Orchestra — main floor, rows A-Z
- Grand Tier — first elevated tier
- Balcony — upper tier
- Box Seats — side boxes
- Pit / front-row premium
- Accessible seating platforms
Best seats at Durham Performing Arts Center
Orchestra rows F through P center hit the sound and sightline sweet spot. The Grand Tier front rows are a strong second choice — the tier is steep enough that the rail does not block the stage.
Tips before you go
DPAC sits in the American Tobacco District, so park in the nearby decks and eat in the restored warehouse restaurants before the show. Doors typically open 90 minutes before curtain for Broadway runs.
How to read the Durham Performing Arts Center seating chart
Durham Performing Arts Center seats 2,712 on stacked levels facing the stage, so reading the chart means thinking in tiers rather than rings. The orchestra — the main floor — sits closest to the stage; above it the mezzanine and then the balcony step back and up, and box seats line the sides. Lower row letters are nearer the stage, center sections face it square on, and side sections trade a straight view for a lower price.
Three things decide a Durham Performing Arts Center seat: how far from the stage you are, whether you sit center or off toward a side aisle, and which level you are on. For a theater this size, the value sweet spot is usually the front of the mezzanine at center — an unobstructed, elevated view of the whole stage without orchestra-row prices. Watch for overhang and any "partial view" note on your seat, and cross-check the official Durham Performing Arts Center map before you buy.
Building a seating chart for an event at Durham Performing Arts Center
Hosting a suite night, a group outing, or a private event in the Durham area? A seating chart keeps the group organized before you ever reach the gates. Map your party onto tables that mirror the suite or section layout, assign each guest a spot, and export a PDF so everyone knows where they sit. For a private event in a banquet space near Durham Performing Arts Center, the same tool lays out rounds, banquet tables, and head tables, then prints a chart the venue's event-services team can work from. Capacity at Durham Performing Arts Center runs to 2,712 for its main configuration, but most private events use a fraction of that in a club, suite, or adjacent hospitality space — exactly the scale the maker below is built for.
Hosting a private event at Durham Performing Arts Center?
Build your own seating chart for the event — banquet rounds for the dinner portion, theater rows for the program, whatever the format calls for. The Seat Chart App maker handles layouts up to 500 seats and exports a print-ready PDF to share with the venue's event team.
Open the seating chart generatorFrequently asked questions
- How many seats does Durham Performing Arts Center hold?
- Durham Performing Arts Center has a capacity of 2,712 seats. Capacity varies by event configuration — a concert may use floor seating that a basketball game doesn't, and a private buyout uses a different count than a public event.
- What are the best seats at Durham Performing Arts Center?
- Orchestra rows F through P center hit the sound and sightline sweet spot. The Grand Tier front rows are a strong second choice — the tier is steep enough that the rail does not block the stage.
- What sections does Durham Performing Arts Center have?
- Main sections include: Orchestra — main floor, rows A-Z; Grand Tier — first elevated tier; Balcony — upper tier. Full breakdown in the sections list above.
- Where is Durham Performing Arts Center located?
- Durham Performing Arts Center is in Durham, North Carolina. Check the venue's official website for the exact address, parking options, and public transit access closest to your seat section.
- How do I plan a private event at Durham Performing Arts Center?
- For private events, build a seating chart that maps to the venue's section layout using the Seat Chart App maker below. Drop tables to match your event's footprint within the venue's space, assign guests, and export a PDF to share with the venue's event-services team.