Community Programs

UMS offers the community exceptional learning experiences, workshops, Q&A events, and more.

You Can Dance

Join dancers from our visiting companies for an exploration of the company’s movement style. No dance training or experience necessary, and all levels, ages 13 and up, are welcome. Free, but first come, first served until studio reaches capacity.

Post-Show Q&As with Artists

After most opening night dance and theater performances, join us for a post-performance Q&A to get a glimpse into the lives and minds of the artists who bring creativity to the stage. You must have ticket to that evening’s performance to attend.

Please see individual performance pages for specific post-show Q&A dates and times.

Pre-performance talks

Join UMS for a brief pre-performance talk before select performances. Just 15 minutes long, each talk offers interesting information and provocative questions for thinking about and watching the performance. Most of these talks are a part of our Renegade series which celebrates artistic innovation, experimentation, and discovery.

Please see individual performance pages for specific pre-performance talk dates and times.

Pre-performance talks

UMS 101

Curious about UMS, but haven’t taken the plunge? Want to learn more about an unfamiliar artist or genre? UMS and Ann Arbor Public Schools Community Education & Recreation (“Rec & Ed”) are teaming up to offer pre-performance classes created especially for first-time UMS attendees, for curious audience members, and for anyone who simply enjoys attending performances with a group. Each UMS 101 class will be facilitated by a dance, jazz, or classical music expert and feature conversation, interactive exercises, and mini lectures that will help you better understand the genre and have a more enjoyable UMS performance experience. The classes will bring you together with other audience members who are curious about the performing arts and want to learn more.

Registration for UMS 101 includes a ticket to the performance, workshop fees, transportation to/from the performance venue, and light snacks before the performance.

To participate in UMS 101, you must register through the Rec & Ed website and pay the registration fee (which includes a ticket to the performance).

Instructors will be announced when registration opens. Class sessions will take place at Pioneer High School, and group transportation will be provided to and from the performance venue via charter bus. (Sorry, no ticket exchanges or refunds for previously purchased tickets.)

Please see individual event pages for specific registration information.