About live music & circus

Our Mission

Payomet Performing Arts Center is a volunteer driven, non-profit performing arts organization committed to gradual and sustainable growth in order to remain true to our core mission: to produce exciting professional live music, theater, circus arts and humanities events rooted in strong social values.

Payomet is not a venue, it’s an experience.

We’re not just about filling seats… we’re about using performing arts – live music, theater, circus, comedy and more –  to reflect the beauty and experience of living on the outer reaches of Cape Cod. We believe in our audience. Our artists decisions are informed by the eclectic tastes of our outer Cape audience, from those visiting us for a day or a week to our year- round neighbors. For this reason, we describe Payomet programming as “outside the box and inside the community.”

We seek to present events that:

  • Nurture artists’ creativity
  • Foster education and excellence in the performing arts
  • Cultivate cultural and social awareness
  • Explore issues of relevance to the communities we serve

We believe that access to the arts should be available and affordable to everyone.​

Our outreach and history of presenting in numerous regional venues are keys to our delivering excellence in performing arts to the largest possible audience on Cape Cod. During the summer, our home is our tent. During the shoulder months and off-season, Payomet produces concerts and events at venues from the mid-Cape to Provincetown.

Payomet audiences have come to expect national talent on the local stage. Our summer venue and season can be summed up as “small tent, big shows.” Our theater productions include fully staged Shakespeare productions and showcase emerging professional actors. Likewise, our 40-plus or 50-plus music concerts each year include many Grammy winners and internationally renowned artists.

We are committed to fostering education and social awareness in our community.

While we may be best known for our top-notch music and theater performances, we are equally proud of our circus arts performances, circus classes for children, and humanities presentations in the form of lectures, film screenings and literary evenings. Whenever possible, we create educational opportunities from our performances, through audience involvement, panel discussions and “Meet the Artist” opportunities. Our unique location inside the Cape Cod National Seashore strengthens our commitment to presenting programs exploring Cape Cod’s natural environment and the culture of her native peoples.

Land Acknowledgement: 

Payomet acknowledges that its performing arts center is situated on the ancestral and traditional homeland of the Wampanoag people. We pay honor and respect to their ancestors past and present as we commit to building a more inclusive and equitable space for all.

“The folks that run Payomet are the first thing that comes to mind while writing a quick review. They are friendly, helpful, and always eager to make the space perfect for your listening or viewing experience. Whether at Town Hall in Provincetown, or at the tent on Old Dewline Rd. in North Truro, it’s always a treat to see a show produced by these guys. I volunteer for Payomet, and Kevin always thanks us first, before every show, and it feels amazing to be a part of this team.”

– Will K.