Montgomery Performing Arts Centre

The Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, known locally as MPAC, is an 1,800 seat theater on Tallapoosa Street in downtown Montgomery. It is part of the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center complex, close to the riverfront and the downtown entertainment district, and it serves as the city’s largest indoor stage for touring productions and headline performers. Its location keeps it within walking distance of downtown restaurants and the Alabama River waterfront, making it a convenient anchor for a night out.

The venue was developed as part of a major downtown revitalization project that paired a new 12 story, 347 room Renaissance hotel with an expanded civic and convention center. The performing arts portion, roughly 50,000 square feet, was completed in early 2008 alongside about 70,000 square feet of new exhibition and meeting space. The project was intended to bring more conventions, visitors and evening activity to the heart of the capital city. The hotel tower rises beside the theater and includes ballroom space, banquet facilities, a restaurant, a lounge and an outdoor bar.

Programming is broad and changes throughout the year. The calendar regularly features concerts across rock, country, R&B, gospel and classical styles, stand up comedy tours, touring Broadway and theatrical productions, tribute shows, ballet and cirque style dance, and family entertainment such as children’s shows. Local arts groups also take the stage, and seasonal favorites like holiday ballet performances appear on the schedule. The hall is described as large enough for first run touring productions while still feeling intimate for smaller acts. Recent seasons have mixed nationally known musicians and comedians with productions aimed at children and families, so the audience changes considerably from night to night.

The auditorium was built with modern staging, sound and lighting systems, and seating charts are published in both flat and three dimensional views so patrons can choose sightlines before buying. Because the theater is connected to the hotel and convention center, many visitors combine a show with dinner or an overnight stay downtown, and the complex also hosts conferences, banquets and private events. Box office staff can answer questions about seating and upcoming events by phone.

The venue follows clear guest policies. Seating generally opens one hour before showtime, all attendees need a valid ticket, and identification matching the ticket name may be requested. A clear bag policy is in effect, with exceptions for small clutches and inspected medical bags, and smoking is not permitted anywhere in the facility. Accessible seating and other accommodations are available, and companion seats are sold together with accessible seats. Tickets bought from third party resale sites may not be honored, so the venue recommends purchasing through official channels.

MPAC opens for scheduled events rather than daily visits. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster online, by phone, or in person at the box office, which is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 3pm and also opens two hours before each event. Payment is accepted in cash or by major credit card. Parking is available in the adjacent event garage, with hourly rates posted on the venue website, and hotel guests can choose valet or self parking. Event schedules and directions from Birmingham, Auburn and Mobile are listed on the official site. The garage offers a short free grace period, with rates increasing for longer stays.