The Durham Performing Arts Center has ranked 12th in Pollstar magazine’s top 100 Worldwide Theater Venues, a 34-spot jump from 46, the ranking it received last year.
“For DPAC, the formula is simple—treat people great and they will come back again and again,” DPAC General Manager Bob Klaus said in a news release Tuesday. “Give audiences a world class performance venue and a variety of amazing acts and they will want more.”
The Pollstar list, which was based on 2010 third quarter ticket sales, included such venues as Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, which ranked no. 7, and Radio City Music Hall in New York, which ranked third. The news release noted that DPAC is proud to be in the company of such “iconic venues,” and Klaus said the honor is a “nice reward” for those who have contributed to the success of the theater, which opened Dec. 1, 2008.
“It’s a team effort on so many fronts from the National booking offices at [Nederlander Producing Company of America] and [Professional Facilities Management] to the part-time staff person that welcomes our guests at the front doors,” Klaus said in the release.
In its second year of operation, the theater has attracted thousands of visitors, many of whom are Duke students. The venue—which cost $45.8 million to construct—was funded in part by a $7.5-million investment from the University.
DPAC is expecting its 500,000th patron to enter the theater during the Oct. 30 opening night of Billy Elliot the Musical.
“This Triangle loves great live entertainment; all you need is top notch talent—from the staff to the performers—and the desire to make sure everyone feels welcome and appreciated,” Klaus said.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.