Blank Performing Arts Center — Simpson College

"An acoustically sealed, intimate theatre that (I believe) also doubles as a tornado shelter."

"One of the most pleasant and interesting places to see an opera. Unlike most venues for the performing arts where you are looking up at the performers on an elevated stage, most seats rise above the stage stadium style, allowing you to look down upon ALL the action, as opposed to only seeing the forward-most actors."

"The Des Moines Metro Opera three opera weekend brings us to this fine facility. Excellent visability from the very back to the far sides. Plus good rest rooms. The shows are consistently of the highest quality so if you wonder whether you might like to give opera a try, this is for you."

"Wonderful!!! The place to enjoy beautiful operas every mid-July for us! Very exciting."

"I visited recently to see DMMO's productions of Candide and La Boheme and thought it was a very interesting space. The shows are very different, but they were able to create incredibly unique scenery for both shows. At one show I was closer to the front, and another show, I was near the back - and I feel like any seat in the space is a good one. I could hear clearly and see all of the action without any distraction. The staff was helpful and extremely polite, and the seats were also pretty comfortable. The only drawbacks I see are that there isn't a middle aisle for the seating, so if you are on one of the ends (like I was at one of the shows), you'll have to wait for the entire row to show up before sitting... or be content with the stand & shimmy for everyone to get by. Also, parking is a bit of a mess, but get there early and there shouldn't be any problem."