HOUGHTON – The Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, the Michigan Tech Visual and Performing Arts Department, and Visit Keweenaw are thrilled to announce the launch of Pay As You're Able Ticketing for the upcoming Rozsa season, including all Presenting Series events announced earlier this month.

After successful testing and positive audience feedback last year, the Rozsa is excited to extend this innovative ticketing structure to its entire season, making it easier for everyone in the community to experience the magic of live performances.

Pay As You're Able Ticketing is designed to remove financial barriers and promote greater accessibility to the performing arts. The program allows guests to pay what they can afford for their tickets, enabling them to choose from various pricing options based on their circumstances.

"We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy a night out to see a great show, regardless of their financial situation," said Mary Jennings, Director of the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. "With feedback from our audience over the last year, we've designed Pay As You're Able with the goal that no one has to miss a show because they can't afford the ticket."

Enjoying live performances enhances the value of a destination and adds to its available experiences. Pay As You're Able ticketing makes attending shows less intimidating financially to visitors, area residents and first-timers at the Rozsa. Performances are memorable souvenirs and enable people to engage with the arts with accessible, affordable options no matter their income level.

"It’s amazing the Rozsa Center is launching its ‘Pay As You’re Able’ program to make world-class cultural and entertainment opportunities accessible for all," said Visit Keweenaw Executive Director Brad Barnett. "It really demonstrates their leadership in making the arts more inclusive and continues to showcase their commitment to our community and visitors."

How does Pay As You're Able work?

When guests visit the box office, they will find the regular ticket prices listed for the event. A member of the box office team will share the pricing tiers available, and guests can choose the level or levels that makes the most sense for them. Online, guests select the pricing tier they can afford when purchasing tickets. The Rozsa encourages guests to pay what they can to enjoy the same high-quality experience, regardless of the amount they can afford to pay.

"Pay As You're Able supports an accessible and welcoming environment in the Keweenaw," says Hannah Rundman, Audience Manager at the Rozsa. "When folks can determine the ticket price they can afford, there’s more opportunity for diverse audiences to share joyful experiences and feel a sense of belonging at the Rozsa and in the broader community.”

The full fee represents the fair market value of the performances, and guests are encouraged to contribute what they can afford. For guests, that may mean covering the full ticket fee and supporting part of someone else's ticket, paying some of the fee, or opting for the minimum price. The Pay As You’re Able applies to Rozsa, Michigan Tech Music, and Michigan Tech Theatre events.

"We understand that financial situations can vary, and none of us fully comprehend someone else's circumstances," said Jared Anderson, Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Michigan Tech. "Through Pay As You're Able Ticketing, we celebrate diversity and embrace the idea that art is for everyone."

Pay As You’re Able Presenting Series tickets go on sale August 15, 2023, and can be purchased online at tickets.mtu.edu, by phone at 906-487-1906, or at the Rozsa Box Office. The Michigan Tech Art, Music, and Theatre series will be announced in the coming weeks, with tickets going on sale later this month. The Rozsa looks forward to welcoming our community to an extraordinary season of performances, made even more special by our commitment to financial accessibility through Pay As You're Able Ticketing.

The Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts at Michigan Technological University is the leading performing arts presenter in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) and home to Michigan Tech Art, Music, Sound, and Theatre. At 80,000 square feet, it's the largest theater in the U.P., dramatically expanding the performing arts available to the region.

Michigan Tech Visual and Performing Arts Department students and faculty make works of art that connect us with the world. Our programs prepare students to be flexible, creative professionals and strong collaborators. Everyone is welcome here, and there is something here for everyone.

Visit Keweenaw promotes Michigan’s Houghton and Keweenaw Counties as a destination for tourism. Tourism, and the broader visitor economy, generate social, cultural, and financial benefits for our community members and is a pillar of the region’s economy. Formed in 1986 as the Keweenaw Tourism Council, and later as the Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Keweenaw has served as the two-county region’s lead destination marketing organization (DMO) for more than 35 years.

More Bulletins