North Texas Performing Arts (Willow Bend Center of the Arts)

★★★★Just Cole

Amazing talent. Only issue is the venue. Mic speakers were too loud at the climax of the best songs, probably due to the smaller space, which made moments that should have made me say “wow” make me say “ow.” Seating crazy uncomfortable and I’m left with soreness the following day. Also the show started 20 minutes late, which was not cool but forgivable. Keep up the good work with performing though. 4 stars

★Ell M

Horrible. Absolutely horrible experience. My daughter wanted to try acting and was so excited to try something new. However, she had approximately 4 minutes of being on stage (in the back)- she didn’t even have a chorus/ensemble role. Yet she had to attend every spontaneous practice and face the strict directors and assistants who were unfriendly/unwelcoming. Nick Mann was the director of the show and I would not recommend. I also believe there was favoritism involved with the casting as he knew everyone else beforehand. Disorganized, inappropriate, and overall bad vibes.

★★★★★Jacob Lewin

NTPA is one of my favorite places of all time. I’ve met so much friends there, directors are so nice, and there is so much positivity and fun. Being in the shows is a really fun experience and I totally recommend checking this out.

★★★★★Victoria T.

This evening 2/7/2026 I attended The Sound of Music at the Willow Bend North Texas Performing Arts Center, performed by a cast ranging from young children to high school students, and it was absolutely charming. The production was beautifully done, staying true to the spirit of the original, with a level of professionalism that was genuinely impressive. The actress who played Maria stood out immediately—her voice was stunning, effortless, and expressive, and I could easily envision her on Broadway or doing voice work for Disney. If I were to single out one truly unforgettable performance, it would be the young man who played Uncle Max. While he honored the character, he made the role entirely his own, bringing exceptional animation, energy, and presence to the stage. He was funny, serious, witty, and completely captivating—remarkably so for such a young actor. He reminded me of a young Marlon Brando or Philip Seymour Hoffman, possessing that rare, effortless “it” factor you don’t often see. After the performance, I made a point to seek him out because I simply couldn’t leave without telling him exactly what I thought—I needed him to know how special his performance was. I’ve seen hundreds of shows over the years, and I genuinely believe I witnessed a successful actor in the making. While the entire cast was strong, there was something undeniably extraordinary and memorable about this young actor, and I truly hope to see him on the big screen one day.

★★★★★Abril Goforth

We have been here several times to watch my niece perform. There is always such a positive energy. Of course the kids are practically vibrating 😂 but the parents don't seem to be stressed or frazzled. I've never seen a parent snap at a child or a director lose their cool. My sister volunteers when her child is in a show and she has maybe as much fun as her daughter! If you are looking for a place for your child to get involved in live theatre (musical theatre), this is probably a good start.