Integrating Tessitura for a Performance & Arts Space

Website reimagined

The Carolina Performing Arts website had not been redesigned for many years and the codebase itself was over seven years old, so a series of needs arose that had to be dealt with to improve the current online experience for their users. Plank also wanted to give the team full control over their site updates making it a more pleasant and easy experience to launch their season every year.

Optimizing Ticketing with Tessitura TNEW

Plank supported CPA’s move to Tessitura’s TNEW v7, replacing a deprecated ticketing integration. Instead of introducing third-party tools or custom API development, we built a streamlined solution that empowers the CPA team to manage events directly through their CMS. Events are manually entered and displayed via a custom calendar component that links to TNEW-managed purchase flows.

This approach gave CPA full control over how and when events appear on the site without relying on external platforms or added software. We styled the calendar and purchase buttons to match the site’s brand and visual tone, ensuring the transition from browsing to ticketing felt seamless.

While final transactions take place on TNEW, our design keeps visitors engaged on the main site longer, improving the continuity of the experience and building trust. This solution avoids unnecessary complexity and supports CPA’s evolving programming without sacrificing flexibility or performance.

Flexibility is key

Although not originally in scope, when the pandemic hit and shifted priorities, we had to make sure that the site could support a broader range of programming — from live shows to virtual events. Our solution allowed CPA to easily update calls-to-action and link to streaming platforms when needed.

After our initial audit, we determined that starting fresh with a new codebase built on open-source (WordPress) technologies was more efficient than attempting to update the custom legacy and proprietary CMS created by the previous agency. We migrated essential content and rebuilt the experience with performance, accessibility, and editorial flexibility in mind. Our agile methodology allowed us to evolve the solution in real time as CPA’s needs changed throughout the project.

Ultimately, the new system gave CPA’s internal team greater independence, reducing their reliance on external vendors or development support for seasonal updates and performance launches.

A future in Digital

As CPA shifted toward digital programming during the pandemic, it was critical that their site could adapt quickly. From adjusting calendar entries and ticketing logic to customizing on-page CTAs, CPA’s team was able to respond in real time to changing circumstances without needing to modify the underlying system.

Our custom integration helped bridge the gap between Tessitura’s robust CRM capabilities and the flexible, branded user experience CPA needed on the front end.

Making an impact

With the appointment of a new Executive Director in 2021, the new Carolina Performing Arts website can now easily be adjusted to fit whatever new vision the team wants to portray without any interruption to the live site. Be it virtual or in-person, the show must – and will – go on!