Located in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts (ACPA) offers an incredible destination for arts and entertainment lovers. Opened in 1988 as part of Project 80s, this vibrant venue welcomes over 200,000 patrons every year to experience top-tier cultural performances. When you visit, you will find three distinct performance spaces.
The largest is the 2,000-seat Evangeline Atwood Concert Hall, expertly designed to host grand opera, symphonic works, dance, popular music, and Broadway musicals. For a slightly more intimate setting, check out the 700-seat Discovery Theatre, which features theater, dance, film, musical presentations, and smaller-scale operas. Finally, the 340-seat Sydney Laurence Theatre, named after the famous painter, provides a cozy stage perfect for theater, film, and chamber music.
During your trip, you might catch a show put on by one of several esteemed resident companies. These include the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, Alaska's only professional opera company (Anchorage Opera), the Alaska Dance Theatre, the Alaska Junior Theater, the Anchorage Concert Chorus, Perseverance Theatre, and Alaska's largest arts promoter, the Anchorage Concert Association. Whether you want to enjoy a symphonic orchestra or a live theatrical play, this historic centerpiece delivers unforgettable Alaskan culture.
What to see at Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
- Evangeline Atwood Concert Hall with 2,000 seats for Broadway, symphonic, and opera productions
- Discovery Theatre offering 700 seats for dance, film, and smaller-scale operas
- Sydney Laurence Theatre featuring 340 seats named after painter Sydney Laurence
- Resident performances by Anchorage Opera, Alaska's only professional opera company
- Host venue for Anchorage Concert Association, Alaska's largest arts promoter
Visiting tips
Plan your arrival extra early when attending a show, as the venue lacks a dedicated drop-off area and has entrances positioned along one-way streets.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Evening
How to get there & what’s nearby
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts is easy to reach on Anchorage’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Alaska Aviation Museum and Alaska Native Heritage Center. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Anchorage travel guide.
See the full Anchorage travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.