Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

Updated April 16, 2024

## Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center: How to Plan a Great Night Out in Downtown Broken Arrow

The Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center (BAPAC) is the cultural anchor of downtown Broken Arrow’s Rose District—a modern, 1,500-seat theater that regularly draws Broadway tours, major concerts, and community performances to this corner of northeast Oklahoma.

If you’re exploring things to do near Tulsa, this is one of the strongest picks for an evening of live entertainment, especially if you like pairing a show with dinner, local shops, and walkable streets.

—

## Key Facts at a Glance

– Location: 701 S Main St, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012 – in the heart of the Rose District downtown area.
– Opened: Summer 2009 as part of a push to expand the city’s arts footprint. Arrow Performing Arts Center
– Capacity: Nearly 1,500 seats in its main auditorium, known as the Kristin Chenoweth Theatre.
– Primary role: Hosts touring Broadway productions, pop and classical concerts, comedy and specialty shows, and serves as the flagship venue for Broken Arrow Public Schools fine-arts performances. Arrow Performing Arts Center
– Owner/Operator: Broken Arrow Public Schools, tying the building directly into local arts education.

—

## Architecture, Design & Acoustics

For a city of its size, Broken Arrow invests heavily in this building. Construction of the performing arts center cost around $24 million and created a facility of roughly 63,000 square feet, with a sweeping glass façade and contemporary lines that stand out along Main Street.

Inside, the main theater is designed with:

– Tiered seating that maintains good sight lines, even from the rear balcony.
– Extensive acoustic paneling along the walls and ceiling to keep sound clear and controlled for everything from orchestras to amplified concerts.
– Professional-grade backstage spaces, including dressing rooms, green rooms, and a pre-stage flex space that allow the venue to handle touring productions efficiently.

Because Broken Arrow Public Schools use the building as their central fine-arts hub, the tech package leans more toward “big-city” than “small-town”: automated rigging systems, modern lighting grids, and professional sound capable of handling Broadway-level shows.

For travelers, that translates into a couple of real-world benefits:

– You usually get major-market production values without needing to drive into downtown Tulsa.
– The room is large enough to attract touring acts, but still relatively intimate compared with huge arenas, which many visitors find more comfortable for theatre and concerts.

—

## The Kristin Chenoweth Connection

The auditorium is named the Kristin Chenoweth Theatre, honoring the Tony- and Emmy-winning performer who grew up in Broken Arrow and has maintained close ties with the community.

Her relationship with the venue isn’t just a naming exercise:

– Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp, an educational program for young performers, stages culminating performances and awards nights (the Kristi Awards) at the BAPAC. Arrow Performing Arts Center
– Her foundation’s arts and education work uses the theater as a platform to support emerging talent from Oklahoma.

If you’re interested in the performing arts beyond just watching a show, this educational angle is significant. Depending on timing, your visit might align with student productions, masterclasses, or special events connected to the Bootcamp or school programs—excellent opportunities to see local talent on a professional stage.

—

## What You’ll See Here: Shows & Experiences

The Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center positions itself as the cornerstone of the city’s arts district, and the programming reflects that.

Expect a changing calendar that can include:

– Touring Broadway and musical theatre
– Pop, country, and classical concerts
– Comedy and specialty shows
– Seasonal productions, including school musicals and concerts tied to Broken Arrow Public Schools’ fine-arts calendar Arrow Performing Arts Center

In recent years, the venue has also hosted Candlelight tribute concerts—string quartet performances of popular artists and film scores under candlelight, marketed through national event platforms.

The mix of big-name touring acts and local productions makes the BAPAC an easy “wild card” for an Oklahoma itinerary. Even if you’re not planning your entire trip around a show, it’s worth checking the schedule to see if a favorite musical, tribute concert, or family-friendly performance lines up with your dates. Arrow Performing Arts Center

—

## Accessibility & Inclusivity

The Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center invests heavily in accessibility, which is especially relevant for travelers with mobility, hearing, or sensory needs.

From the official “Plan Your Visit” information, you can expect: Arrow Performing Arts Center

– Accessible seating in every pricing zone, with marked wheelchair and companion seats available both online and by phone.
– Accessible parking spaces in the main parking area east of the theater.
– An on-site courtesy wheelchair that can be requested in advance for guests who need extra support moving between the entrance and their seats.
– Assistive listening devices, including options to connect to Bluetooth-capable hearing aids, provided at the box office at no additional charge.
– Complimentary earbuds for guests who are sound-sensitive and prefer lower volume levels.

This combination of physical access, hearing support, and sensory-friendly options is stronger than what many mid-sized venues offer. It makes the BAPAC a realistic option for multi-generational trips, travelers using mobility devices, and visitors who manage hearing differences or sensory overload.

As with any venue, specific policies and equipment can change over time, so it’s wise to confirm current details directly with the box office before your trip.

—

## Practical Visit Tips

### Tickets & Box Office

You can buy tickets:

– Online via the venue’s official website
– By phone or in person through the box office at the theater Arrow Performing Arts Center

The venue lists weekday box-office hours during the day and also opens the box office approximately one hour before showtime. Because hours and policies can change, always double-check the latest information on the official site or by phone before you go. Arrow Performing Arts Center

### Choosing Your Seats

With roughly 1,500 seats, the room is large but still manageable. For most touring productions and concerts:

– Orchestra level suits those who want to be close to the action and don’t mind a more immersive sound.
– Front mezzanine/balcony usually offers a solid balance of overview and acoustics.
– Guests who use wheelchairs or mobility devices will find distributed accessible seating across multiple sections, which allows you to prioritize either proximity to the stage or quicker exits to the lobby. Arrow Performing Arts Center

If you have specific access needs (for example, needing aisle seats, minimizing stairs, or wanting to stay close to accessible restrooms), the venue explicitly recommends booking by phone so staff can talk through your options.

### Parking & Arrival

Parking is generally straightforward:

– Free parking is available in lots near the theater, with additional parking along Main Street south of the venue.
– There’s a convenient drop-off area at the front entrance—helpful for guests with limited mobility or for rideshare drop-offs.
– The theater asks visitors to use marked pedestrian crosswalks when walking from surrounding parking areas. Arrow Performing Arts Center

Overnight parking and tailgating are not permitted.

### Concessions & Food

During Spotlight Series and many larger shows, you’ll find light concessions in the lobby:

– Bottled water
– Selected soft drinks
– Simple snacks, typically at budget-friendly prices (around $1 according to current information) Arrow Performing Arts Center

Food and drink are usually restricted inside the auditorium, with the typical exception of bottled water sold on site.

If you want a full meal, the BAPAC notes that multiple restaurants sit within a short walking distance a few blocks north along Main Street, making it easy to combine your show with dinner in the Rose District. Arrow Performing Arts Center

### Where to Stay

For out-of-town visitors, the BAPAC lists Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center as its official lodging partner, located about a 10-minute drive from the theater. Guests who mention that they are in town for a show may access special rates, according to the theater’s visit information. Arrow Performing Arts Center

That property also provides meeting and event space, which can be useful if you’re combining a conference, reunion, or group trip with an evening at the theater.

—

## Pair Your Visit With the Rose District

The performing arts center was a major catalyst in the wider revitalization of downtown Broken Arrow, often cited as helping drive national attention to the city’s arts scene after it opened in 2009.

From the front doors, you’re already in the Rose District, a walkable stretch of Main Street filled with:

– Independent shops and boutiques
– Additional arts spaces and galleries
– Cafés, bars, and restaurants suitable for pre-show or post-show stops

For more ideas on what to do before or after your show, the venue itself directs visitors to the dedicated Broken Arrow page on Oklahoma’s official tourism website, which outlines additional attractions, parks, and events around the city. Arrow Performing Arts Center

—

## Before You Go: Data Freshness & How to Double-Check

Most of the practical details in this guide—parking rules, accessibility offerings, concessions options, and the Stoney Creek lodging partnership—come directly from the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center’s own “Plan Your Visit” and related pages, plus official city and state tourism sources. Arrow Performing Arts Center

However:

Key Highlights

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

Location

Places to Stay Near Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

Find and Book a Tour

Explore More Travel Guides