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!

They saved the day with the summer drop in dance classes. My daughter was asking for ballet for…read moreawhile and I finally told her she could. She was super excited except the place I found was full! After googling dance dynamic, they had spaces. They were super friendly! They let my daughter borrow tap shoes and said if she was interested they could recommend a place and brand. The teachers were great and gave the kids one on one attention. The only downfall was I didn't like the small window and the blinds were down but open. It made watching the class hard.

My daughter went to another local dance school last year. (That shall remain nameless since I'm not…read morereviewing them) I decided to give Dance Dynamics a try this year and what a DIFFERENCE! From the moment I walked into the studio and asked about the program i got such a warm feeling. It felt like they genuinely cared about every student and knew the families. Just so happened the person I spoke to ended up being her teacher for tap! Ms Eileen is so engaging with this group of 3-4 year olds!! I later found out she taught preschool for 14 years so I feel my daughter is in great hands. She makes it fun each week. They really learn too. "Mr. David" (office manager) greets everyone with a smile as if he is welcoming us to his home every week. He has been more than accommodating with tuition dues and flexible. Thank you David for being such a great person and caring about our kids and the families! Thank you Dance Dynamics.

The Wake Forest Historical Museum is a small museum in Wake Forest, NC but full of artifacts and…read morehistory. The museum has a parking lot in the back and admission is free. If you are looking to learn more about Wake Forest this is the place to visit. The historical house on the property may or may not be open during your visit as it depends on how many volunteers there are on a shift. The museum building was all that was opened on my last visit. The main museum building has a lot to listen, read, and see. The museum focuses on Wake Forest College before it moved to Winston Salem and became Wake Forest University. It also has exhibits on different parts of towns and some notable residents such as Arnold Palmer and Tommy Byrne who was a NY Yankees Pitcher and also the mayor of Wake Forest. "Doctor" Tom Jeffries was an influential man on the campus and has an audio exhibit.

Great museum to learn about the town of Wake Forest. I took both of my kids here (ages 11 and 17)…read moreto learn about our new city. It's located in historic downtown Wake Forest, near the Victorian homes and Seminary. Part of the museum is Dr. Calvin Jones' house, through which we took a tour. The docent was knowledgeable and took us through the first and second floors. The other part of the museum is self guided. First, we watched a film that narrated the history of Wake Forest and how the Wake Forest University helped its growth. The docent then took us around the house belonging to Dr. Calvin Jones, from whom the land was purchased. The home's furniture is either original to the house or appropriate for the time period. The self guided portion of the museum is full of WFU memorabilia, town artifacts, and information boards that told of our little town that survived despite losing the University in the mid-1950s. This museum is a definite must-see to those visiting Wake County. It's free and there is parking on site, as well as on the street.

After seeing a Groupon for the school and making sure their schedule fit for my little girl I…read moresigned her up for class. I didn't know what to expect as it was my first experience going to dance school and NOT being the dancer. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Ms. Rhonda mans the front desk and she is extremely friendly and knowledgable. She immediately made me feel comfortable and made sure I had everything we would need for class. They will order anything you might need and are not pushy about it in the least. My daughter is 2.5 and loves the class. She loves her teacher and each week looks forward to the class. The best part that even at her young age she is actually learning, which as a dancer at one time makes me so happy. Once our Groupon time frame was over, there was no pressure to continue with classes but we have. I am very happy with our experience so far and hopefully will continue to be so for years to come!

"Security is not our responsibility ". This is a quote from the office manager when I said I was…read moreconcerned about the teacher opening the door for the 5 and younger and letting them loose without checking for an adult. OM told me this is not a school. It is not their responsibility to make sure our kids are safe. This after I found a baby sleeping in a running car in the parking lot. Parent was in a back room, with all adults, eating lunch. OM told me they were taking turns checking on him so he was ok, even though car could not be seen from the school door. She then reprimanded ME for saying I find that disgusting, in front of the babies sister. How would sister have felt if police came or if child was abducted or died??? If this is how they protect their own, its no wonder they refuse to protect ours. Chaos and disorganization are overwhelming. No one seems to have any solid grasp on how to run this place. They insist you wear certain colors and styles, but don't know what that is? Set up an event to size and order all outfits... but then no one knew what we needed. Ended up spending more than necessary bc they weren't sure!!! The kicker is my account information is trapped in their system! I tried to delete my account and cc information but it is not an option! What!!? How can they hold my card and personal information hostage. This is terrifying and unacceptable. No where on the site does it have the option to delete my account. Don't trust them. They are money hungry with no concern for your child.

Is a beautiful museum on beautiful grounds well curated properly taken care of and the café is the…read morecherry on top of everything. The food there is amazing.

Summary: 4.0 - Free and art go hand-in-hand here. If you like both, NC MoA is worth your time…read more Free admission to the NCMA to see art and history is a gift. If one doesn't mind the West Building (although new, it felt old to me), the different galleries containing historical art pieces (new and old, and very old) organized by continents are educational and surprisingly full of variety. The East Building (original one) hosts both permanent and limited-time collections. I've enjoyed a car exhibit, but my favorite limited-time exhibit featured Academy Award winner Ruth E. Carter's costumes for the movies "Black Panther", "Selma", "Amistad", and others. Her showcase exhibit was well worth the price of admission. A huge museum park provides miles of trails and places for picnics. If one plans accordingly, a series of trails connects all the way from the museum to downtown Raleigh! MISC Opened in 1956. Has pieces that originate from about 5,000 years ago (but thankfully it doesn't take that long to go through the museum). The museum is accessibility-friendly. A museum store and café are onsite. Tours are available. Outdoor concerts are on hiatus at the time of this review for "facility improvements." Be sure to check the museum's website for updates.

My daughter Started dancing here after her dance studio closed during covid. We absolutely loved…read morethe studio from the minute we walked in. In the 10 years that my daughter was at her last studio she never had a friend, but on day one the young girls welcomed her in and made her feel like she has been dancing here for years. Not only were the girls so welcoming Ms.Taylor and her mother, Ms. Bert, treated my daughter like family. She really helped my daughter advance in ballet, and because Ms. Jill has so much knowledge in this field, we realized that the last studio was not teaching my daughter the correct way. If only we had started with Ms.Jill when Ava was 3.

I've been dancing at Taylor Academy of Dance for 15 years, and I truly can't recommend it enough…read more From my very first class to now, this studio has been such a huge part of my life and has become a second home. Over the years, I've trained in company, ballet, jazz, contemporary, stretch classes, private lessons, and so much more. The instruction is exceptional, and every teacher is knowledgeable, encouraging, and genuinely invested in helping each dancer reach their full potential. The performance opportunities, especially The Nutcracker and the spring recitals, are always so well organized and create memories that last a lifetime. One of my favorite things about Taylor Academy of Dance is the community. From day one, the dancers were so welcoming and kind, and I immediately felt like I belonged. I've made lifelong friendships here, and some of my favorite memories have come from rehearsals, backstage before performances, dressing room laughs, and celebrating each other's accomplishments. Jill Taylor has created such a positive, supportive environment where every dancer feels valued. She truly cares about her students, not only as dancers but as people, and it shows in everything she does. Over the years, I've also had the privilege of getting to know Mrs. Bert, whose kindness and encouragement have made the studio feel even more like home. Together, they've created an environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and like part of the family. Taylor Academy of Dance has helped me grow in so many ways, both on and off the stage. I am so grateful for everything this studio has given me over the past 15 years, and I couldn't recommend it more to anyone looking for outstanding dance training and an incredible community.

I enjoyed Tanner Lagasca's inspiring teaching. I took a scene-study class with him, and he worked…read morewith me beyond the basics of the scene. He helped me uncover the arcs of the scene and effectively guided me to chronicle the path of my character and her emotional life. His methods are easy to understand, and I recommend him highly. Kim Camp

Tanner is such a wonderful actor and even better person! I…read moreabsolutely love working with him. Thus far I have taken Acting 1, a couple Scene Study classes, helped out with his summer intensive, and am now enrolled in his winter intensive. Whether you are a seasoned actor or just want to try it out, I recommend Actors Training Ground!

Update: As someone who values local businesses, I am saddened that my relationship with this venue…read morehas ended this way. I did everything 'right' by buying my season tickets the first day of subscriber pre-sales (September 9th) and selecting a specific seat for my needs. Only to show up for my performance to learn that my seat had been changed. Instead of enjoying a performance of my favorite show, I was forced into a position that shouldn't have happened. There has been a complete lack of transparency or any communication from the venue, from my seat being changed in January 2026 without my knowledge, to another refund I received 'out of the blue' that I had already attended. Was this unexpected refund for a past show an attempt to cover the taxes and fees they withheld from the first refund? Or was it an attempt to avoid apologizing for the original error? Over the years, I shared 157 photos and many reviews to support this venue's growth. I have removed most of these photos. I will leave the documentation of my seating error. I also organized group outings to the venue, which led others to purchase tickets. One person's voice matters. I hope my experience ensures that future subscribers are treated with the respect that their loyalty deserves, rather than being treated as a single seat that can be moved to accommodate a more lucrative sale. Update: Management stepped up and provided me with a full refund for the season, including the performances I've seen, excluding taxes and fees. This was after the box office called me a liar and unkind, not in the spirit of the show. Kindness starts with respecting your customers and believing them when they have the evidence in hand, with the paper-timed-stamp ticket. I have uploaded photos showing my original September 9, 2025, purchase date and the handwritten seat change forced upon me at check-in as proof." Then, with the Ludus system, they likely know who moved my season seat to sell two seats together. "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." Theatre Raleigh does not seem to respect its season ticket holders or donors. When I select a seat with my season ticket package, that is the seat I expect to sit in for the show. I specifically chose aisle seats as my preference, and the extra room helps with my knee injury. So I was upset when I arrived at a performance and was told my seat had been moved. Usually, it has been from a changed seating chart, but in my last performance, the actual seat number was changed. The aisle seat I had purchased on the first day of season-ticket sales was occupied by another patron. It appears that someone at the box office chose to relocate my seat so that two seats were available for sale together when individual tickets went on sale in January. So this tells me that they do not value season ticket holders and are more concerned about another sale. This was the final straw for me, and I cannot recommend this theatre to others. It feels like a slap in the face as a donor to be treated with such disdain. Granted, I am a low-level donor. When I complained at the show that my seat, purchased in September 2025, had been moved from the aisle, I was told the show was sold out. No, that is not acceptable. I will support and donate to other performing arts organizations that better value and recognize their patrons, and walk away from those that treat me like a transaction. I can no longer donate to an organization that prioritizes last-minute sales over the explicit seat selections of its long-term supporters.

Theater and music lovers, this is the place for you! Performances of the highest caliber, whether…read moreit's cabaret type shows or full blown productions, this is where you can see them in an intimate environment. Think Below 54 in NYC, only better. We have seen amazing performers like Stephanie J Block and Norm Lewis and amazing shows like Once, Bridges of Madison County and most recently Waitress. Absolutely everything we have seen here is outstanding. To say that Lauren Kennedy knows how to run a Theater and bring theater lovers what they want is an understatement. Highly recommend keeping an eye on their website for what's coming up next.