Raleigh Little Theatre is one of the oldest theatres in the United States. It became incorporated…read morein 1936. The building is on land that was once the home to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds for a horse racing dirt track. In World War I, it was used as a training area for combat tanks. It is also land for the Lumbee Tribe and the Tuscarora Nation. Raleigh Little Theatre shares a campus with the Raleigh Rose Garden and an outdoor amphitheatre. The main stage was dedicated to Cantey V. Sutton in 2000, as she was the one who found Raleigh Little Theatre a permanent campus in 1939. She got a grant to build the campus and cut through the red tape. She is remembered as the "Grand Dame" and "First Lady" of Raleigh Little Theatre. Raleigh Little Theatre has three theatres, the Cantey V. Sutton theatre, which has 298 seats. The Louise "Scottie" Stephenson Amphitheatre, which seats 2000 on the outside on the terraced grass rows. And the Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre, a black box theatre that seats 150. I attended School of Rock at RLT. The performance was held in the Sutton Theatre, which has 298 seats, and the auditorium has a small slope. I found the sightlines good for watching the performance, as well as the sound and lighting. I did find the seating challenging as the seat numbers were not clearly marked, just the rows. I sat in the wrong seat and had to move. But I liked my new seat much better. As I was not familiar with the layout and had bought my ticket months ago, it would have been helpful to have volunteers in the theatre to assist guests, as many of us were confused. Parking was a little challenging for this performance because a downed tree and power lines had closed the parking lot, so off-street parking was the only option. The lobby was small, with some seating, restrooms and a concession stand that only takes credit cards. Drinks could go in the theatre, but not the food. I did like that we could go outside at intermission and sit on the benches. Overall, I give Raleigh Little Theatre a solid 4 stars. The production quality, acoustics, and historic atmosphere are easily 5-star material, but the seating confusion and lack of usher assistance held it back from being a perfect 5. It is a fantastic community asset, and I will definitely be back!

Volunteering at Raleigh Little Theatre has been one of the best decisions I've made! I started a…read morecouple of months ago, and it's such a great deal; volunteer an hour or two of your time and you get to see the show for free. Win-win! But beyond the perks, I've genuinely been blown away by the talent, the sets, the lighting, and the overall production quality. The cast members are phenomenal, and the passion they bring to the stage is palpable. It truly feels like you're witnessing professional-grade theatre in an intimate community space. The experience is super comfortable too; concessions are available at great prices, the bathrooms are always clean, and the venue is accessible for those with vision or hearing needs, which really shows their commitment to being inclusive. Whether you're looking to volunteer or just catch a great show, Raleigh Little Theatre is an absolute gem. 10/10 Highly recommend!

I like this venue. We didn't really have an issue with parking, but the normal parking area is…read moreunder renovation. Plan ahead. The venue was serving food and had several options of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. There isn't a bad view. We sat in section F and had a good view of the stage. The audio was good, but at times it was difficult to hear. Can't wait to go to another event.

Wonderful concert hall. Comfy seats. Great sight lines and views. The hall is not too big but not…read moretoo small either. Easy parking and smooth security and entry process. Clean and tidy inside. Very reasonable pricing for the symphony. A "must do" for any Raleigh visitor (and resident!)

Some of the most memorable evenings begin in places you could easily drive past…read more That was our experience at Burning Coal Theatre. Tucked inside the historic Murphey School building in downtown Raleigh, the theater's exterior carries the quiet charm of a former schoolhouse with hints of an old church. It's understated in the best way. A bright red door and simple banner signal that you've arrived somewhere special, where the performance not the façade is meant to take center stage. Inside, the atmosphere is refreshingly unpretentious. The lobby feels welcoming rather than formal, and before the performance began, one of the staff members struck up an easy conversation with my husband that immediately made the space feel like a neighborhood gathering place instead of a traditional theater. The intimate performance space wraps seating around three sides of the stage, creating remarkable proximity between audience and actors. There truly isn't a bad seat in the house. We attended *Shadows in Red Light*, a concert presentation of a new musical by Roné Sargent set against the backdrop of New York City's AIDS epidemic. At its heart, the story follows a mother who believes she is placing her infant in temporary foster care and the daughter who, years later, searches for the woman she believes abandoned her. It is ultimately a story about hope, sacrifice, belonging, and the many ways love can endure through unimaginable circumstances. What impressed me most was how little the production relied on spectacle. There were no elaborate sets or dazzling lighting effects competing for attention. Instead, the performers carried every emotional beat through their voices, expressions, and presence. It was a reminder that exceptional theater doesn't require excess it simply requires extraordinary storytelling and gifted artists willing to trust it. During intermission, I noticed the same level of care throughout the venue. The facilities were spotless, the bar offered a thoughtful selection of beverages, and the overall experience felt relaxed and intentionally curated. We skipped drinks only because we were excited to get back to our seats before the second act began. Parking was plentiful, the staff was warm and welcoming, and every detail contributed to an evening that felt both intimate and unforgettable. In a city with an ever-growing arts scene, Burning Coal Theatre remains one of Raleigh's quiet treasures. If you're looking for theater that values substance over spectacle and storytelling over production value, this is the place. We'll absolutely be back.

This theater is special! Not only does it have an amazing history, it's just really intimate and…read moredifferent. I really love how you're sitting around the stage and thus feel part of the play/performance. All great vibes! Parking lot is small but free. There are adequate bathrooms and i believe they sell concessions all the time. They did for the patty I attended.

North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre, otherwise known as NRACT, is located in the Greystone…read moreShopping Center in North Raleigh, located off of Lead Mine Rd. The shopping center is anchored by a Food Lion, so there is usually plenty of parking. It is to the right of Two Roosters Ice Cream and to the left of Greystone Recreation Center. The non-profit community theatre opened in 2002. I'm not sure exactly when I found this gem, but boy, has it changed since I started attending shows here. Seating was once all floor seats and has taken on many transformations since then. It currently has 8 rows of 12 seats, with row A being floor level and B-H as stadium seating, with an aisle in the middle. It has always been an intimate theatre, and you are never far from the stage. Besides the seating, professional-grade updates were made to both the lighting and technical side of things because of Liz Droessler. Ticket prices are reasonable, and there are reduced rates for educators, seniors and veterans. Seats are assigned, and the website makes it easy to select the seat you wish to sit in. Some of the seats are accessible. Tim Locklear became the managing artistic director in 2014. He welcomed me as well as those I introduced to this theatre. He strove to create an inclusive community and brought shows to venues I hadn't always heard of. He wasn't afraid to tackle the hot-topic shows and brought these issues to the forefront. These shows tackled alzheimer's, mental illness, PTSD, eugenics, abortion, race relations, and LGBTQ+ stories. Some of these shows were uncomfortable to watch, but the stories needed to be heard, and I left with a much better perspective. In 2022, NRACT won the NCTC Community Theatre Award for belonging, inclusion, and diversity. Tim retired in September 2025 but is still directing shows, most recently Boys in the Band. It is playing for a few more weeks if you want to see a deep show. The performances here are always high quality, from the talented performers to the sets and costumes. They've had Parade; Don't Bother Me, I can't Cope, Dot: Grown-Ups; Church and State; Next to Normal, Calendar Girls; Dogfight; Equus; Roe; Always Patsy Cline and Young Frankenstein are a few. If you want a story that stays with you, NRACT is where to go for meaningful theatre. It's the kind of place where you aren't just an anonymous seat number but a valued part of a community. Lormarev Jones recently took the helm as Managing Director, with Jess Barbour as Artistic Director, so I am excited to see what their energy brings to NRACT.

I grew up at this theatre and have watched it go from great to excellent. This hidden gem is…read morelocated in an inconspicuous place but that doesn't stop them from bringing in full houses. They produce a diverse array of polished and high energy productions. Very Strong sense of community with creative outlets for kids and teens as well. Check out their next production, you won't be disappointed!

We are all entitled to our own opinions, right? Well here's mine:…read more Parking: 5 Location: 5 Decor/ambiance: 5 Customer Service: 5 I was able to visit this theater this pass weekend and really enjoyed this place. They have lots of awesome plays on their roster list. The location and parking situation is perfect. There is a nice big, clean parking deck off to the side of the theater and its full of parking spaces. We experienced FREE parking on this past Sunday. Looks like everyone at the play was able to park in that deck for free. The building serves as a theater for plays and its also a museum with lots of cool artifacts and trinkets. The theater was sorta cold but it was super clean. The ladies working the box office were super nice. The ushers who helped us find our seats at Titmus were super nice as well. NCSU fine arts department is some kind of awesome!

As a long-time theater fan, I'm usually at the DPAC or Raleigh Memorial Auditorium for shows. But…read morethankfully an invite to check out Hairspray at University Theatre came my way, courtesy of Yelp (thanks Holly!). Currently running at Talley Student Union, the University Theatre group did a fantastic job with Hairspray for this show. From the programs, sets, costumes and performance, I was really impressed with the entire production. Very professional and polished for a student group. The theatre itself is comfortable with good views everywhere. I would have liked a bit more oomph from the sound system but the audio mix did improve later on in the show. And a small wine and beer bar was pouring out adult bevvies for $4 to $5 a glass. So slow round of applause, NC State University Theatre, great performance and look forward to my next visit...

Lincoln is my favorite music venue. I recently saw Trial by Fire, a Journey tribute band, and On…read morethe Border, an Eagles tribute band (my second time seeing them) and last night The Ultimate Doors tribute show (my second time seeing them) I love that Raleigh has a reasonably-priced place to go to hear great live music!

I came to see a tribute band and I was certainly among the younger people in attendance. By no…read moremeans is this is a plush, swanky venue. It's a little gritty, but hey, that's ok. The acoustics were solid, lights worked fine. The venue offers a reasonable variety of beverages for fair prices. And I'll just say you can park for free if you know where to go and get there early enough

The entire experience was fun: great setting in the park and wonderful performances by the cast…read moremembers!'n

This is such a hidden gem in Raleigh. It's a tiny theatre that produces live plays and…read moreentertainment. They post their schedule online and have flyers at the theater. We came here to see multiple plays such as Dracula, Santa land Diaries, and Hair. You can book your tickets online. They do offer military and student discounts. You just have to show proof that it applies to you upon arrival. They tend to sell out of most of their shows. They have an adorable concession stand that serves refreshments inside the lobby. There are quite a few great restaurants nearby, so this makes for a great date night!

I enjoyed my first event at the Cary Theater commemorating Juneteenth with Rhythm & Rhyme tonight…read more It felt like the Apollo stage in Harlem tonight. I invited a good friend who lives locally and enjoys the town's events, tonight I discovered why. Tickets were affordable at $7 with tax. Several poets and music artists came out to showcase their talents and it was well enjoyed. The popular triangle R&B band NIITO performed live and really tore the house down with their cover songs. This event was well organized and seating was plentiful. We grabbed balcony seats and really enjoyed having our own space away from the crowd. While parking is not plentiful, there are still a few lots and street parking to take advantage of. Come early, leave happy. I look forward to more events and possibly seeing a film here in the future.

I want to point out we didn't watch a movie but when we visited the coffee shop was open to the…read moretheater lobby so I wanted to check it out. There were several very sweet older ladies (likely volunteers) that I talked to about the theater and its history. The theater itself was the original in Cary and had been renovated a couple of times over the years. They have one screen that showed mostly art type films and have some live performances. I would go here if I was living here since it was a type of place that appeals to me. If you live there and haven't been I would recommend, if visiting and staying check it out.