Home to the longest freshwater coastline in the country and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan’s beauty is easy to see. The Mitten State is a hub for top-notch cultural institutions like the Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, the Motown Museum and more. But did you know it’s also a performing arts haven? Come along as we explore some wonderful ways students can soak up all things “live performance” in the Mitten!
At the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in Lansing, students can get a behind-the-scenes tour of the center’s facilities, ideal for all age groups. They could also enjoy sitting in the audience for a variety of high-quality performances from institutions like Lansing Community College’s Dart Auditorium, Black Box Theatre and the college’s Outdoor Amphitheater.
In Grand Rapids—a hub of arts and culture—students will have no shortage of opportunities to show off their finely tuned performance skills, in addition to enjoying unforgettable performances by artists of all kinds. Professional touring Broadway performances brought to the city by Broadway Grand Rapids allow students to see the pros in action—without having to travel to NYC. Local theatres like Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Grand Rapids Circle Theatre and more also offer plenty of high-quality performances all year long. Students won’t want to miss a stunning performance from the Grand Rapids Ballet—Michigan’s only professional classical ballet company, along with performance opportunities with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra.
To the northwest, venture to Muskegon, where Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park and WildWater Adventure Waterpark offers a truly unique “Performance in the Park” opportunity. Students could showcase their skills in a uniquely thrilling atmosphere—surrounded by thousands of eager spectators—before letting loose and savoring all the amazing experiences Michigan’s Adventure has to offer. Talk about a day of excitement!
In Detroit, music and the performing arts truly come alive. The Detroit Opera House offers students the chance to attend select dress rehearsals and tour the magnificently restored opera house, including backstage areas not accessible to the public. Along the way, students will learn about the history, architecture, and restoration of this historic venue, in addition to careers in the arts, such as stage management, costume design, lighting design, ticketing, marketing, public relations and house management. While visiting Detroit, students could even show off their own skills with a performance at Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford—a Michigan must-see museum.
An abundance of colleges and universities in the state offer performance workshops and clinics (Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University and more). And don’t forget about the opportunity for a performance clinic on the state’s charming (and car-free) Mackinac Island!
Even more performance opportunities in Michigan await, so contact ETI to get started in planning your performing arts-focused Michigan adventure today!
Courtesy of ETI.
