What it takes for great art to thrive in Dayton

From Dayton Daily News
Updated May 29, 2026
Patrick Nugent, Contributing Writer

When a hall is filled with energy and attention, something extraordinary happens, deepening the experience for everyone.

We are drawn to shared experiences that bring us together and connect us to something larger than ourselves. In Dayton, thanks to generations of community support and a history of performances that inspire and delight, the performing arts have long provided that connection.

At the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, we have the privilege and responsibility of bringing the philharmonic, opera, and ballet together under one roof, advancing creative collaboration and a shared artistic vision unique in the nation.

Whether it is the power of a symphony, the drama and spectacle of opera, or the beauty and athleticism of ballet, these experiences invite reflection, stir emotion and thrill the senses. They are not just performances. They offer new perspectives and shape the cultural life of our community.

As we introduce our 2026-2027 season, we have reflected on what it means to present great art today. The world continues to change, along with how audiences engage. As with many arts organizations, our audiences are evolving, and so are their interests and desires for live performance. Responding to that change calls for imagination and care.

What remains constant is artistically compelling performances shaped by what happens on stage, and by the connection between artists and audiences. When a hall is filled with energy and attention, something extraordinary happens, deepening the experience for everyone in the room.

With that in mind, our new season takes a thoughtful approach to programming, centered on performances that invite audiences in, create moments of connection and bring our community together in ways that matter. Rather than trying to do everything, we are focusing with clarity and purpose on what we do best and on what Dayton values most.

This work is guided by close collaboration among our three artistic directors. Across the philharmonic, opera, and ballet, there is a shared commitment to presenting performances that resonate, challenge, and inspire. That alignment enables us to shape a season that is cohesive and intentional, while honoring the unique strengths of each art form.

At the center of all of this are the extraordinary artists who bring these performances to life, supported by the many professionals behind the scenes. Our musicians, dancers, and singers are the heart of DPAA, and their talent and dedication are what make each performance resonate.

Sustaining a vibrant arts organization requires looking ahead. Our goal is to build a future for the performing arts to continue to play a vital role in Dayton. That means being thoughtful about how we present our work, engage audiences, and steward the resources entrusted to us.

That is why our upcoming season reflects a deliberate focus on the performances that audiences connect with most strongly today. Two older, non-classical Philharmonic series have seen significant declines in attendance and have not attracted the level of donor support needed to sustain them. At the same time, they have drawn focus away from the Philharmonic’s core classical offerings that audiences and donors value most. We have made a considered shift in response.

By contrast, we are encouraged to see audiences for the philharmonic masterworks, ballet, and opera becoming younger and more diverse, bringing new energy and expectations to the arts. Donor support is now about a third higher than it was in the last pre-COVID year.

This is not about doing less or stepping back from artistic excellence. It is about concentrating our efforts to create the most vibrant and engaging experiences possible. By bringing audiences together in fuller halls around the work that resonates most, we strengthen both the experience in the moment and the foundation for the future.

The result is a season designed to showcase artistic excellence and create lasting connections between artists and the community they serve.

For audiences, that means more opportunities to experience performances that feel immediate, engaging and worthwhile. It means fuller halls, a stronger sense of shared experience and programs designed to resonate long after the final curtain.

The arts have always depended on that connection. They grow stronger when people show up with curiosity and openness and share in the experience together. That is what transforms a performance into something memorable.

As we look to the season ahead, we invite the Dayton community to be part of that experience. Attend. Engage. Continue supporting the arts that have long been a source of pride for our city.

Together, we can continue to build a cultural life that reflects the creativity, resilience and spirit of Dayton and offers something meaningful to everyone who takes part.

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