Community Programs

Take the Stage – Find Your Voice

Imagine a place where artistry is shared, nurtured, and expanded. There are no barriers. Only open doors to creativity, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Where every person is invited to come together in vibrant, inclusive spaces to learn from one another and build a future where the arts unite and uplift. This is SMTD Community Programs.

At SMTD Community Programs, we co-author impactful arts partnerships that spark curiosity, build confidence, and drive a shared sense of purpose. Through inspiring performances and creative collaborations, we build bridges that connect the university to communities throughout Michigan. Rooted in authenticity, joyful expression, and trust, our initiatives cultivate opportunities for lifelong artistic discovery and empower artists of all ages and abilities.

Our Community Programs Initiatives

Michigan Artist Citizens

Nurturing the next generation of community conscious, culturally responsive teaching artists

Michigan Success through Artistry and Readiness

Building pre-college pathways for Michigan students to hone their artistic skill and pursue their post-secondary educational goals

JumpStart Theatre | Michigan

Supporting new, sustainable musical theatre programs in partnership with middle schools throughout Michigan

Meet the Community Programs Team

Robin Myrick

Community Programs Manager

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Emily Lange

Community Programs Coordinator

Emily Lange

Erin Feiner

Community Programs Administrative Coordinator

Meet our SMTD Faculty Liaisons

Shavonne Coleman

Assistant Professor of Theatre & Drama

Emily Lange

Colleen M. Conway

Professor of Music Education

Emily Lange

John Ellis

Professor of Music

Our Partners

Interested in partnering with us? We would love to know more about you, your community, and how we can connect with you. Please fill out this form, and someone from our team will reach out to you directly.

Current and Past Community Programs Partners

  • Detroit Public Schools Community District
    • Detroit School of Arts
    • Cass Technical High School
    • Renaissance High School
    • Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School
    • The School at Marygrove
    • J.R. King Middle School
    • Duke Ellington Middle School
    • Spain Middle School
  • Ann Arbor Public Schools
    • Mitchell Elementary School
    • Scarlett Middle School
  • Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit
  • Willis Patterson’s Our Own Thing Instructional Program
  • Crescendo Detroit Pathways program
  • Educational Theatre Foundation
  • U-M Mott Children’s Hospital and UMHS Gifts of Arts
  • Area Senior Living Partners
    • U-M Turner Resource Center (Silver Club)
    • Brookhaven Manor
    • St. Joseph’s Village
    • Gilbert Residence
    • Parkway Meadows
    • Glen Abbey Senior Living

Community Programs Snapshots