Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is a prominent performing arts destination in downtown Asheville, designed as a three-venue complex for productions of different scales. The main Diana Wortham Theatre seats 500 guests, while the Tina McGuire Theatre and Henry LaBrun Studio provide more flexible, intimate settings for smaller performances, workshops and special programs. The present-day complex took shape through an expansion completed in 2019, with its recognizable theatre marquee and interior courtyard creating a distinctive entrance within the city center.

The main auditorium is especially valued for clear sightlines, an upgraded sound system, hearing-assistance technology and modern lighting. The variety of spaces allows the center to host theatre, music, dance, comedy, lectures and other cultural events, ranging from productions for several hundred spectators to highly intimate performances. A lobby, box office, lounge and concession area add convenience before and during events.

The venue is located at 18 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, United States. The main entrance is easy to identify by the marquee on Biltmore Avenue; visitors pass through a breezeway into an interior courtyard leading to the lower lobby and box office. The Biltmore Avenue Parking Deck at 16 Biltmore Ave is directly adjacent to the complex and offers convenient access, including a direct connection to the balcony level from the upper floor of the garage. For broader options for reaching and travelling around Asheville, see the city transportation information further down the page.

Asheville, set at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is known as a city where natural beauty and an urban pulse meet in the best possible way. Here, it’s easy to move from the laid-back feel of a mountain getaway to the energy of nightlife, concerts, and sporting events, with a local scene that gives the city its distinctive character. Whether you’re coming for major indoor events at Harrah's Cherokee Center – Asheville or looking for the more intimate vibe of smaller clubs, Asheville delivers an experience that is warm, authentic, and dynamic all at once.

The city takes pride in practical infrastructure that makes it easy for visitors to reach key locations. The local bus network ART (Asheville Rides Transit) connects downtown with a range of neighborhoods, and the central starting point is ART Transit Station, which keeps getting around simple and stress-free. For those arriving by air, Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is the fastest gateway to the region, with a short ride to Downtown Asheville and the main venues. If you’re traveling by train, a convenient starting point is Amtrak Charlotte Station (CLT), from where you continue to Asheville by road, and the flexibility of car rentals and rideshare services makes planning your trip to an event even easier.

When you’re not in the stands or in the crowd, Asheville rewards curiosity. Stroll through Downtown Asheville and around Pack Square, stop by the paths along the French Broad River, or explore the River Arts District, where creativity is felt at every turn. For a memorable “wow” moment, a visit to Biltmore Estate or a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect addition to an evening filled with music and cheering. That way, along with your tickets, you’ll take home a complete city experience worth remembering.