Book an intimate, plug-and-play 55-seat black-box theater right off downtown Ann Arbor. Perfect for screenings, rehearsals, and private performances with on-site taproom access.
Book an intimate, plug-and-play 55-seat black-box theater right off downtown Ann Arbor. Perfect for screenings, rehearsals, and private performances with on-site taproom access.
Book with hear.say brewing
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by hear.say brewing · Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Back Theater at Hear.Say Brewing + Theater offers a compact, professional home for community arts and private events in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. This 55-seat black-box theater sits off a lively downtown block, pairing a high-end projection screen, an adjustable lighting grid, and a full-range sound system with walk-up access to a craft taproom. Renters arrive to a reliable plug-and-play setup: HDMI inputs for Mac and PC, handheld and lavalier microphones, and venue staff who run a technical walkthrough during load-in so creators can focus on the show.
What makes this space unusual is the brewery-theater combination. It’s rare to find a dedicated performance room that opens directly onto a taproom where guests can buy local beer, cider, and non-alcoholic drinks and bring them into the black box. That crossover creates a relaxed, conversational energy that fits comedy nights, intimate concerts, independent film premieres, listening parties, and private workshops alike. The intimacy of fifty-five seats turns every performance into a tightly focused encounter; lighting and sound capabilities let small productions feel big.
The theater’s operations are straightforward: a thirty-minute technical walk-through, a multi-hour private booking window, and a half-hour pack-out period during which staff manage room reset and sanitizing. That schedule keeps load-ins efficient and minimizes downtime between events. The room’s flexible black-box layout also works for table-top workshops and corporate presentations when a stage setup isn’t required.
Visitors who pair an outdoor itinerary with a cultural evening will find Hear.Say Brewing + Theater an appealing anchor. After a day exploring the Huron River greenways or local parks, this venue provides a warm, indoor option that reflects Ann Arbor’s arts-forward personality. While the theater itself doesn’t feature natural landmarks, its location within a vibrant college town gives access to a steady stream of local artists and filmmakers, making it fertile ground for community-driven programming.
Practical advantages include central downtown access, wheelchair-friendly sightlines depending on seating configuration, and staff-managed AV support. Prospective renters should confirm exact seating layout and any catering or special licensing needs ahead of time. A straightforward, efficient rental with artisanal character, this space is a smart pick in Ann Arbor’s cultural circuit.
easy.
4–5 hours.
No special fitness required; light lifting for set pieces or props may be needed
The theater seats 55 people in a black-box configuration; ask about alternative layouts for workshops or standing-room setups.
Yes—taproom purchases from the adjacent Hear.Say taproom can be brought into the theater; confirm any age restrictions for your event.
The venue supports HDMI for Mac and PC, handheld and lavalier microphones, and has stage lighting controls; staff assist during the technical walkthrough.
Sightlines and seating configuration can accommodate wheelchair access depending on setup—confirm specifics with the venue when booking.
Bookings typically include a 30-minute load-in/tech check, a multi-hour private event block (4–5 hours typical), and a 30-minute pack-out.
Yes—the venue staff handle the technical walkthrough, room reset, trash removal, and sanitizing after your event.
Ann Arbor has a long-standing community arts culture amplified by university-driven film, music, and theater initiatives that feed local venues and indie programming.
Choose reusable or compostable printed materials, coordinate recycling with venue staff, and minimize single-use set materials to reduce waste.
4 Hours • Private, state-of-the-art 55-seat theater rental
Book with hear.say brewing