What time should I arrive?

Doors typically open at 6:00 PM for wristband pick-up; the show begins around 6:30 PM and runs about 75 minutes.

Is the event age-restricted?

Yes—Extra Credit is 18+. Bring valid government-issued ID for entry and bar purchases.

Can I take photos during the show?

Photography is generally welcome but avoid flash during lectures and keep phone noise to a minimum.

Are tickets refundable?

Ticketing and cancellation policies vary—check the booking page for specific refund or transfer terms before purchasing.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility varies by taproom; contact the venue directly ahead of time to confirm wheelchair access or special seating needs.

Can I meet the researchers and cast after the show?

Yes—there is typically a short post-show mingling window where speakers and improvisers are available for conversation.

Extra Credit: Ann Arbor Taproom Night of AI Research and Improv

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.

Extra Credit: Ann Arbor Taproom Night of AI Research and Improv

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