The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

It’s a big and beautiful building with several concert halls👍 I visited the Music Library recently and spent a lot time there going through boxes of free to go music books and black vinyl records, and found some rare gems😀🙏

This place has some beautiful concert halls and other hidden gems inside. I came here for a concert a while back and I am excited to be coming back eventually for another show.

Smallish venue means good views of stage, performers. Comfortable seats. Good prices. And some excellent productions: most recent was Mahlers 2nd with full orchestra and 100 voices. Easy parking, stress-free entrance/egress; what’s not to like?

A Local Cultural Cornerstone — The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Shines As a frequent patron of The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park, MD, I keep discovering new reasons this venue feels like a cultural home. It’s more than a performance space; it’s a vibrant hub for creativity, community, and immersive experiences that keep me coming back season after season. What makes it feel like home Warm, welcoming atmosphere: From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted by professional staff and a sense of anticipation. The lobby spaces invite conversation, with comfortable seating and artful details that set the tone for any show. Diverse, high-caliber programming: The lineup spans intimate recital moments to bold contemporary performances, showcasing world-class artists alongside emerging talents. There’s something for every mood and curiosity, and the programming thread often feels thoughtful and cohesive. Engaged artistic community: You can feel the center’s commitment to collaboration—between visiting artists, faculty, and students—creating a dynamic ecosystem that thrives on shared exploration and creativity. Facilities and comfort Thoughtful design and acoustics: The performance spaces are well-proportioned with excellent acoustics, clear sightlines, and flexible seating that adapts to a range of performances from dance to music to theater. Convenience and accessibility: Easy parking, accessible entrances, and intuitive wayfinding make attending a breeze, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time supporter. Supportive staff: The front-of-house team is knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic about helping you have the best possible experience, from ticketing to post-show info. Programs I love Student and faculty showcases: The center offers opportunities to witness the next generation of artists alongside established performers. Interdisciplinary collaborations: Performances that blend music, dance, theater, and new media create fresh, thought-provoking evenings. Community engagement: Outreach events, talks, and pre/post-show discussions deepen the experience and invite active participation. Tips for fellow culture lovers Check the season schedule in advance and book early for limited seating events. Arrive early for talks or pre-show receptions to soak in the atmosphere and meet artists. Explore the campus arts ecosystem—The Clarice often intersects with UMD student performances and lectures, making for a full evening of learning and entertainment. Bring a friend or make it a date night—there’s a range of programming that’s perfect for shared experiences and conversation afterward. Bottom line The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center is a premier cultural beacon in College Park—curating ambitious, thoughtful, and beautifully executed performances. It’s a standout destination for locals and visitors who crave enriching arts experiences, community connection, and a place that continuously nurtures creativity. Highly recommended for students, families, professionals, and anyone who believes in the transformative power of the performing arts.

We had a great time seeing Maryland University Gospel Choir.

I love coming here, they have a great variety of performances. I've enjoyed every single one I've watched here. Good sound, great views, good set design.

The center was very nice was there for my niece's graduation. Google Maps doesn't necessarily get you there properly spent an hour walking around knowing on campus knew where it was specifically.

A very emotional day for our family!

Great venue. My wife and I came here for a Taylor Swift family friendly tribute and the staff was very friendly, seats comfortable, and view was great.

Back in my day, this place used to be called CSPAC for short... now folks call it Clarice. It's wild how nicknames change over time! I used to come here a lot more as a college student, but I made my triumphant return to see the infamous Gamer Symphony Orchestra perform... it's been over a decade! I love live orchestras and I love video game music, so it's the perfect combination. I was able to get my tickets ahead online, and just had to show my QR code to the staff upon arrival. Everything was organized and you could either grab a physical program or scan the QR code for a digital one. As many shows as I've been to... they've all been in Dekelboum Concert Hall. It's a beautiful room with plenty of middle seating, side seating and balcony seating. The stage has two levels -- one for the instruments and an upper level for the choir. What a lovely sight! CSPAC has other rooms, and even a library... there's a lot to see outside of just shows! There are plenty of options for parking, but they are all different! The closest are some spots that require parallel parking -- some are metered, and some are a part of Lot 1b that are free after a certain time (and always on weekends). There's a garage that is enforced until midnight daily. And then there's the broader Lot 1b with plenty of parking spaces... but you do have to walk a bit. Might not be so fun if there's inclement weather. CSPAC (yes, I'm still gonna call it that) is a great venue for shows, and you should definitely swing by!

Came here for the comedy show by Atsuko Okatsuka on a weeknight, which was a non-college-related event. The venue was quite nice, well-maintained, and spacious considering the fact that this is a public university hall. The parking was very convenient as there were a lot of free parking spaces after 4pm on weekdays in addition to the paid parking lot next to the theater building. The staff members were friendly and attentive as well. There is a small bar to get some drinks as well. Quite impressed.

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center is absolutely beautiful. Very modern and lovely. There are multiple theaters within the Arts Center and a refreshments hub with a semi-full bar called Encore. The student workers are nice and conscientious. Parking on a Saturday was not bad, FREE over in lot 1b behind the building to the left. Clarice Smith does more than the typical orchestra and chamber music showcases, but you have to look at their events page and get notices, because you could miss some out of the ordinary stuff. Love, Justice, Community dance act entitled IN TIMES LIKE THESE, which was performed by Dancing By the Power: Movement Matters Inc a company comprised of a multi-ethnic dance company including adults and children, under the direction of Ronya-Lee Anderson. A clear concise answer to the #blacklivesmatter #alllives matter movement. Impressed that University of Maryland is open to receiving a diverse diaspora of American Dance culture. Dancing By the Power: Movement Matters interpreted modern contemporary styles from familiar tunes such as Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" (Make ME Wanna' Holler) to "Ne Me Quitta Pas" by Nina Simone and "Naima" by John Coltrane. The Dance Theater is small, the sound system is excellent; we saw the space transform into a dance set, to housing two separate bands, as well as a band and dancers at the same time. My alma mater has always richly endowed the arts and humanities. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center is proof that the arts are a tangible investment when supported by the state and surrounding community.

Great performances! With really good prices. Some of the concerts, mostly those of the university bands, are free, and the level is pretty high. The concert hall itself is comfortable, good acoustics and the place is clean.

Your Review of the Performance The performance was superb. Mr. Rosen is one of the great treasures of the musical world, both for his technique and his scholarship. Mr. Genz voice was right on and his diction was fabulous. Your Review of Our Customer Service The best kind of customer service is when it is not needed or noticed. Ditto on both counts. Your Review of Our Location Very convenient, even driving from NJ. Also close to Baltimore and DC, reason enough for me to come again. When is the next composer's birthday anniversary? Your Starred Ratings The Performance More stars = Better rating: 5 Our Customer Service More stars = Better rating: 5 Our Location More stars = Better rating: 5

Great venue, very convenient, good acoustics. This is a local treasure, not just a concert hall but a comprehensive school with half-a-dozen performance spaces. Parking was an issue when I was last there, but that may only be because there was a big lacrosse match at the same time.

This is a review of the Dekelboum Concert Hall: Beautiful venue with great acoustics. Not a bad seat in the house. Comfy seats and more than enough legroom. Perfect setting for classical music concerts (don't think they host rock concerts here). They also sell snacks and wine. Bonus: they don't surcharge tickets when you buy them online.

A fabulous blend of art and science. The second half tea was wonderful. The tea table was very diverse group and brought wonderful perspectives to the discussion

This was a very adequate performance. I didn't feel I became emotionally involved with the characters. But maybe that's Chekov's fault, If I had been a character in most of Chekov's plays, I should have supported the Mensheviks, too.