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Health & Safety

Vaccines & Masks | Venue Safety | Seating | Ticket Flexibility | FAQ

Our Commitment to You: We will do everything we can to create a comfortable, enjoyable, and safe environment for everyone. We ask all audience members, regardless of vaccination status, to do their part to allow us all to return to live performances.

These policies were updated on September 1, 2021 and will be in place for all in-person indoor events through December 2021. If protocols change and evolve as new information becomes available, we will notify all ticketbuyers to upcoming events and continue to update this page. All protocols have been developed in consultation with public health officials at the University of Michigan, with additional guidance from the State of Michigan and the CDC.

Performance ticketholders who do not comply with these policies will not be admitted or may be asked to leave the performance.

Policies for in-person School Day Performances are being developed in partnership with area school districts and will be announced later in September.

Vaccines & Testing

Proof of Vaccination or Negative PCR Test Required. There are no exceptions to this policy. Anyone who is unable to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test will not be admitted to the performance space and will be refunded the cost of their ticket, minus any handling fees.

All patrons will need to be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine and must show proof of vaccination in person at the time of entry into the performance space. “Fully vaccinated” means the performance date is at least 2 weeks after your final vaccine dose.

For U-M Students, Faculty, and Staff

ResponsiBLUE app Use ResponsiBLUE

If you are a University of Michigan faculty member, staff member, or student, your vaccination proof can be presented from the same screen on the ResponsiBLUE app.*

Download ResponsiBLUE for iOS or Android

For ALL Other Guests

Guests must present each of the following:

Proof of vaccination (either a physical vaccination card or photo of it) OR a negative PCR test*
A photo ID (not required for children under 12, school IDs are accepted). Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult who meets the same requirements.

* Those who are not able to provide proof of vaccination and those who are under 12 must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test (saliva or nasal swab) taken within 72 hours of the performance start time.

Masks

Face masks that cover the nose and mouth will be required for all indoor performances, regardless of vaccination status.

All masks must meet CDC standards; those arriving without appropriate face coverings will be provided with a disposable face mask. Neck gaiters, bandanas, and masks with exhalation valves or vents are not permitted. Masks must be worn for the duration of the performance. Patrons who refuse to keep their masks on will be asked to leave the venue without a refund.

Venue Safety

Air Handling and Filtration

All UMS venues have excellent ventilation and use MERV 13 filters in the air handling systems in all facilities. Venues provide at least four and up to 11 air changes per hour. Ventilation systems are operated for at least two hours before and two hours after occupancy to ensure full purging of air in those spaces. These guidelines meet both the CDC and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers recommendations for COVID-19.

Personnel

All artists and anyone staffing a UMS performance will be required to provide proof of vaccination. Every member of the UMS full-time staff has been vaccinated.

All volunteers, including ushers, will be required to provide proof of vaccination in order to participate at UMS events this year.

Seating

Based on the latest CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals, UMS is selling tickets up to our full capacity and will not have physically distanced seating within the venues. Other patrons may be sitting directly next to, in front of, or behind you. If this makes you uncomfortable, you may ask an usher to be moved to another available seat in the venue, if available.

Arrive Together

If you ordered tickets for multiple people, we suggest that your entire party enter together. If possible, please give each member of your party their own ticket.

Arrival Times

We anticipate that the performance space will open and seating will begin one hour prior to the published start time. Please arrive early for the performance to ensure entry time for screening and entry into the theater. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the start time. Once you have entered, please avoid crowding in the lobby.

Communicate with Your Party

UMS will communicate with the person who purchased the tickets to communicate our policies via email in advance of each performance, but it is the responsibility of the ticket purchaser to share those policies with whoever may be attending with them. Please be sure to share these communications with everyone in your party so that they are aware of what to expect.

Ticket Flexibility

If you are ill, please stay home!

We are asking you to stay at home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, if you have come into close contact with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19, if you are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, or if you have been directed to quarantine by a health care provider or public official. UMS will offer flexibility in ticket returns, including credit for future performances, ticket donations, and refunds, up to one hour prior to the performance start time.

We understand that these policies may not be agreeable for everyone, including those who may have already purchased tickets. We greatly appreciate your understanding of our efforts to provide the best possible experience for the widest group of guests.

We are happy to issue immediate refunds or exchanges into future performances upon request if you are uncomfortable with these policies for any reason.

Thank you in advance for your help in partnering with us for a safe return to live performance in our venues.

Update Your Email Address & Make Sure to Open Messages from UMS!

Given the ever-evolving guidance from state public health officials, please make sure that we have a current email address for you in our database so that we can continue to communicate with you. If you prefer only to receive customer service emails and pre-performance emails, just drop us a line at umsemail@umich.edu, and we’ll make sure that your preferences are recorded. We will send out three pre-performance notices for each event with the latest updates and information, coming approximately 10 days, 4 days, and 1 day before the performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Event Policies

Do kids under 12 really need a test?

Yes, kids under 12 who have not been fully vaccinated will be required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test and be accompanied by an adult who also meets the health and safety protocols in place at the time of the performance.

Can I wear a face shield instead of a mask?

A face shield may be worn in addition to a mask, but not instead of one.

If I am a U-M faculty/staff/student and have the U-M ResponsiBLUE app which verifies my vaccination status, do I also need to show my vaccination card upon arrival at the performance venue?

If your ResponsiBLUE shows that you have completed your COVID-19 vaccination and been verified, then you do not need to bring your vaccination card as well. This is generally only true for U-M faculty, staff, and students and does not apply to alumni.

Will I have to wear a mask even if I’m vaccinated?

Yes, in accordance with University of Michigan Guidelines for Campus Facilities, all attendees at indoor live performances must wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times for the duration of the performance.

What if I forget my vaccine card at home?

If you forget your card, we won’t be able to admit you to the performance. No exceptions. We recommend that you store a photo of your card on your phone so that you always have it with you.

How is UMS going to enforce these policies?

We will have dedicated, professional staff and security to implement the measures that are in place and will ask anyone who is unable or unwilling to comply to leave the premises. If someone arrives without the necessary paperwork before the performance begins, we will provide a refund. If someone refuses to wear a mask or follow safety protocols once they are inside the space, they will be escorted out of the venue with no refund provided.

Ticketing & Seating

When will I get my tickets?

We’ll be mailing tickets for fall events in mid-September. Tickets for winter and spring events will be mailed later this season.

Will seating be socially distanced?

No. We will be selling up to the full capacity of the venues. The combination of the vaccine requirement and masks makes full capacity both safe and possible. If space is available and you wish to move to a less crowded section, please ask an usher for assistance.

Will there be late seating at events?

Late seating is always at the discretion of the artist and is designed to provide as little disruption as possible to those who are attending. Please be sure to read our pre-performance emails for information about late seating, but more importantly — please allow enough time to park, arrive at the venue, and have your proof of vaccination approved.

When should I arrive?

Please allow extra time this fall! While we will try to make it as easy as possible, we anticipate that the screening process for proof of vaccination or a negative test will require additional time. We are going to be opening the performance spaces to begin seating an hour before the published start time of each event and encourage you to arrive early.

Additional Questions

How are health & safety policies determined?

UMS will continue to follow CDC, State of Michigan, and University of Michigan guidance. We also regularly consult with public health officials at the University of Michigan in determining the best practices for convening people safely.

Will UMS events be livestreamed?

UMS will continue to offer many free digital offerings this season that complement in-person events. However, we don’t anticipate streaming our in-person events for either live or delayed viewing at home. New digital opportunities will be announced throughout the year.

What about group sales?

Group tickets are now on sale. Email umsgroupsales@umich.edu or call 734-763-3100 for more information.

Will concessions be available?

At this time, food and drink will not be available for purchase in any of the performance venues.

Will I be able to get a refund if I’m not feeling well?

We have suspended our regular ticket exchange policy in favor of a more flexible approach. If you’re not feeling well or are uncomfortable attending while pandemic conditions exist, we’ll offer options for exchanges into future programs, ticket donations, and refunds.

What if someone in my group has a breakthrough infection after the performance?

UMS will work with the Washtenaw County Health Department in their contact tracing efforts. In the unlikely event that this happens, please report your breakthrough infection to the WCHD at 734-544-6700.