Power Center

DIRECTIONS & PARKING // DESCRIPTION // ACCESSIBILITY

121 Fletcher Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

734-764-2538

DIRECTIONS

I-94 Eastbound (from Jackson and Chicago)
Take I-94 East to Exit 172, Jackson Road. Jackson Road becomes Huron. Continue on Huron to State Street. Turn right on State Street, then turn either left or right onto Washington Street (parking lots are located in both directions). See map for exact parking locations.

I-94 Westbound (from Detroit)
Take I-94 West to Exit 177, State Street. Turn right (north) on State Street. Continue on State Street to the U-M campus. Turn either left or right from State Street onto Washington Street (parking lots are located in both directions).

US-23 Northbound and Southbound
Take US-23 to Exit 37 B, Washtenaw Avenue (to Ann Arbor). Go west on Washtenaw (from the Northbound exit you will automatically go west; from the Southbound exit turn right at the end of the exit ramp). Continue on Washtenaw until it forks. Veer to the right at the fork. Washtenaw becomes Huron. From Huron, turn left at the light on Fletcher. See map for exact parking locations.

M-14 Westbound (from Plymouth or Livonia)
Take M-14 West to Exit 3, Downtown Ann Arbor, Main Street. Continue on Main Street. Turn left on Washington. See map for exact parking locations.

I-96 Eastbound (from Lansing)
Take I-96 East to US-23 South to M-14 West. Follow directions for M-14 Westbound.

I-696/I96 Westbound (from suburban Detroit)
Take I-696 or I-96 West to I-275 South to M-14 West. Follow directions for M-14 Westbound.

PARKING

We know that parking in downtown Ann Arbor can be difficult and take longer than expected. Please allow plenty of time to park. Parking is available in the following structures:

1. Fletcher St (Power Center) Structure (201 Flecher St): Entrance off Fletcher Street at Washington. Event parking is $6.

2. S Thayer St Structure (216 S Thayer St): Entrance off Thayer Street between Washington and North University Avenue. Event parking is $6.

3. Palmer Dr Structure (200 Washtenaw Avenue): Accessible to University of Michigan blue and gold permit holders with an AVI device.

4. Liberty Square Structure (510 E Washington St): Entrance off Washington between State Street and Division. See current rates.

5. Maynard St Structure (324 Maynard St): Entrances off Maynard Street and Thompson between William and Liberty. See current rates.

6. Thompson St Structure (508 Thompson St): Open to the public after 6 pm Mon-Sat and all day Sunday.

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 90 minutes prior to the performance and remains open until 30 minutes after the performance begins.