Power Center

PARKING

While the central campus venues are close to the parking structures, you will want to allow extra time to negotiate downtown Ann Arbor traffic and to find a space in the structure. We recommend arriving on campus 30 minutes prior to your performance start time.

1. Fletcher St (Power Center) Structure (201 Fletcher St)
Entrance off Fletcher Street at Washington. Event parking is $10, card only
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Pro-Tip: If you are on Fletcher Street, there are two different entrances to the Fletcher Street structure, one for event parking and one for the Dental School. Make sure that you go down the ramp when entering off of Fletcher Street for event parking.

2. Fletcher St (Power Center) Structure Rear Entrance (Palmer Drive)

Pro-Tip: The University also has parking attendants on the back side of the Fletcher Street structure, with an entrance off of Washtenaw on Palmer Drive. Avoid the lines and traffic by using this entrance instead — simply put Palmer Drive, Ann Arbor into your maps and you’ll enter the same Fletcher Street structure, but on level 2 instead of level 5. Elevators are located on the south side of the structure, or you can take the stairs on the north side.

3. S Thayer St Structure (216 S Thayer St)
Entrance off Thayer Street between Washington and North University Avenue. Event parking is $10, card only
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Pro-tip: The Thayer Street structure requires stairs if you park on one of the “A” levels. To avoid stairs entirely, park on a level that just has the number (level 2, level 3, etc.)

4. FREE OPTION! Thompson St Structure (508 Thompson St)
Open to the public and free after 6 pm Mon-Sat and all day Sunday.
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5. Liberty Square Structure (510 E Washington St)
Entrance off Washington between State Street and Division. See current rates.
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6. Maynard St Structure (324 Maynard St)
Entrances off Maynard Street and Thompson between William and Liberty. See current rates.
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Description

The Power Center for the Performing Arts originated from a realization that the University of Michigan had no adequate proscenium-stage theatre for the performing arts. Hill Auditorium was too massive and technically limited for most productions, and the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, too small. The Power Center was built to supply this missing link in design and seating capacity.

In 1963, Eugene and Sadye Power, together with their son Philip, wished to make a major gift to the University, and amidst a list of University priorities was mentioned “a new theatre.” The Powers were immediately interested, realizing that state and federal government were unlikely to provide financial support for the construction of a new theatre.

Opening in 1971 with the world premiére of The Grass Harp (based on the novel by Truman Capote), the Power Center achieves the seemingly contradictory combination of providing a soaring interior space with a unique level of intimacy. Architectural features include two large spiral staircases leading from the orchestra level to the balcony and the well-known mirrored glass panels on the exterior. No seat in the Power Center is more than 72 feet from the stage. The lobby of the Power Center features two hand-woven tapestries: Modern Tapestry by Roy Lichtenstein and Volutes by Pablo Picasso.

Accessibility

Access for Persons with Disabilities

Wheelchair seating is available on the rear of the main floor.

The Power Center is equipped with assistive listening devices. Earphones may be obtained upon arrival. Please ask an usher for assistance.

Balcony is not accessible via elevator.

Entrances and Elevators

There are two main entrances to the Power Center: off of Fletcher Street next to the parking structure, and off of East Huron Street. There is an elevator from the Fletcher Street parking structure to the Power Center lobby and seating area, but no elevator to the balcony.

Ticket Office Location

For ticket sales and ticket pick-up, use the Fletcher Street entrance next to the parking structure. The Ticket Office opens 60 minutes prior to the performance and remains open until 30 minutes after the performance begins.