A new concept called Hear.Say Brewing + Theater is under development at 2350 W. Liberty St. in Ann Arbor. The news was first seen in The Michigander newsletter. The site was once Townies Brewery and is now being transformed into a microbrewery, a taproom, and an improv theater. The theater portion is slated to open in April 2024, and the brewery and taproom portion is anticipated to open in mid-2024.
Hear.Say, properly pronounced as “hear-dot-say,” is the brainchild of co-founders Tony DeRosa and Jason Tomalia. DeRosa is a seasoned improv performer who transitioned from a career in tech, and founder of Team Up Improv, a creative consulting business leading improv-backed consulting projects for businesses. Meanwhile, Tomalia is co-founder and brewmaster at Pointless Brewery & Theatre, a similar concept known as “Ann Arbor’s home for delicious improv comedy and entertaining craft beer, which permanently closed in 2021.
The name Hear.Say is a play on words. “We loved the idea of taking a negative word like hearsay (inadmissible court evidence) and turning it into a positive. In improv comedy, it’s helpful to listen before you speak, so ‘hear’ before you ‘say’. On stage, we also want to say what we hear and hear what we say. The dot in the middle represents the pause as we learn from others versus sharing our own perspective. I’ve long been fascinated by compound words and how changing how you say them or see them can shift the related energy,” DeRosa told What Now Detroit in an email.
The new establishment will feature an outdoor patio with firepit tables. The taphouse area is right behind the main entrance and accommodates up to 60 people. From there, guests can see the business’s brew system and a bar. This portion of the building will have 5 TVs with cable for watch parties.
The theater and private event space will be found on the right. DeRosa mentioned they plan to host improv comedy shows and classes, custom corporate workshops, and private events. The space will be available for rent. Meanwhile, the pair is coping a warehouse onsite for potentially turning into a long-term theater in the next two years after the brewery is up and running.
Hear.Say will “have one of the largest grassy biergartens in the whole city,” according to DeRosa. “We plan to again have firepit options and lots of seating for groups of various sizes. We plan to explore live music and other offerings outside as we ramp up our operation.” For food options, Hear.Say provide carnival food through its food truck, including corn dogs, chicken fingers, frittes, and more with various toppings and dipping sauces. The menu will also include vegetarian and vegan options. The founders are also considering hosting monthly plated dinners and other pop-up options.
Those hoping to support Hear.Say at the beginning of their journey can look into the company’s Flocc Founding Membership, which provides over 18 months of value with a chance to renew for 2026, including exclusive quarterly member events, taproom and improv class registration discounts, and a branded cooler backpack. “A flock of birds flies together and we know our members have our back. We have theirs too!” DeRosa said in the email.
