THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A fast, funny night in an Ann Arbor taproom where University of Michigan School of Information research meets live improv. Sip local beer, learn crisp insights on AI and internet culture, and stay afterward to chat with scholars and performers.
A fast, funny night in an Ann Arbor taproom where University of Michigan School of Information research meets live improv. Sip local beer, learn crisp insights on AI and internet culture, and stay afterward to chat with scholars and performers.
Book with hear.say brewing
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by hear.say brewing · Ann Arbor, Michigan
Extra Credit is a monthly live show that converts a working microbrewery taproom in Ann Arbor, Michigan into a fast, funny laboratory for ideas. Three researchers from the University of Michigan School of Information deliver ten-minute talks on cutting-edge topics—artificial intelligence, online subcultures, censorship, and big-data behavior—and immediately after each brief lecture a team of improvisers crafts a spontaneous comedy set inspired by the research. The result is a kinetic exchange where academic rigor and comic imagination sharpen one another.
Doors open around 6:00 PM; pick up wristbands at the box office, grab a hyper-local craft beer at the bar, and choose seats in the compact back-theater or at high-top tables beside the performance area. The compact venue is a feature: low ceiling, intimate sightlines, and a narrow stage keep the performers close and the audience engaged. The program runs roughly 75 minutes: host introductions, three alternating ten-minute lectures and ten-minute improv scenes, a short audience Q&A with faculty and cast, then a relaxed post-show window for drinks and conversation. The taproom setting means conversation mixes with performance—expect a casual, lively atmosphere rather than a formal theater hush.
Extra Credit stands out in Ann Arbor’s cultural roster because it was conceived in partnership with University of Michigan School of Information faculty and intentionally bridges campus research with community performance. That university connection keeps topics timely and gives visiting scholars a platform to translate complex work into plain language. For travelers, the show offers a compact way to feel the intellectual pulse of town: you’ll leave with both fresh facts and a few unrepeatable jokes. Being in a working taproom also supports local makers—your ticket dollars and drink orders help sustain the small businesses that fuel Ann Arbor’s nightlife and arts scene.
Plan ahead: Extra Credit is an 18+ event, so bring ID. Doors open at 6:00 PM for wristband pick-up; the core program starts around 6:30 PM and finishes near 7:45 PM, with a short audience Q&A after. Because seating is limited in the back-theater, buy tickets in advance through the booking link and arrive early for a table. The space is casual but can be noisy from bar service; if you need quieter seating, ask staff about seats near the stage. Photography is welcome during most of the show but muted-phone etiquette is appreciated during lectures; flash will disturb performers. Accessibility details vary by taproom; contact the venue ahead if you need wheelchair access or seating accommodations. For a fuller Ann Arbor evening, combine the show with a walk across the University of Michigan campus or dinner in town. Extra Credit is short, smart outing—book a seat, bring curiosity, and prepare to leave entertained and a little smarter tonight.
Doors typically open at 6:00 PM for wristband pick-up; the show begins around 6:30 PM and runs about 75 minutes.
Yes—Extra Credit is 18+. Bring valid government-issued ID for entry and bar purchases.
Photography is generally welcome but avoid flash during lectures and keep phone noise to a minimum.
Ticketing and cancellation policies vary—check the booking page for specific refund or transfer terms before purchasing.
Accessibility varies by taproom; contact the venue directly ahead of time to confirm wheelchair access or special seating needs.
Yes—there is typically a short post-show mingling window where speakers and improvisers are available for conversation.
hear.say brewing is an Ann Arbor-based brewery and theater dedicated to live improv comedy, community-focused events, and craft beer. The venue brings together a taproom atmosphere, an outdoor patio, and a cozy theater space to host weekly performances, improv training, and private celebrations. Shows at hear.say brewing include fast-paced comedy nights such as Thursday Night Improv - Duoplicity and Saturday Night Improv, interactive game-show style sets like Who Can Say?, and specialty evenings including Musical Improv Jam and Tony and Friends. Each performance pairs local improvisers with audience participation and a relaxed brewery setting. The training program offers progressive classes for performers at multiple levels: Improv 201 (Characters), Improv 202 (Finding Game), Improv 303 (Advanced Long Form Forms), and Improv 304 (Advanced Ensemble & Performance Style). Classes focus on character work, identifying comedic game, advanced long-form techniques, ensemble trust, and stage-ready performance skills, culminating in live shows for many students. For private events, hear.say brewing offers a Full Brewery Buyout with exclusive access to the taproom, outdoor patio, and theater, customizable bars, entertainment options, and on-site staff support. The combination of craft beer, improv entertainment, and flexible event space makes hear.say brewing a distinctive destination for both regular audiences and special gatherings in West Ann Arbor. All descriptions reflect the venue's publicly offered shows, classes, and event capabilities as presented by hear.say brewing.
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