Welcome

Encouraging intercultural dialogue
through the arts

The Center for World Performance Studies (CWPS) seeks to unite artists, performers, scholars and the community through the international language of the arts. The center provides a platform for artistic inspiration and scholarly dialogue about the importance and meaning of performance around the world. Through its work, CWPS strives to bridge the gap between performance and scholarship; increase knowledge of performing arts around the globe; bring into intellectual focus the increasing globalization of the performing arts, and; take advantage of the interdisciplinary opportunities at the University of Michigan.

About the Director

Kwasi Ampene is the director of the Center for World Performance Studies. A scholar and an international performing artist, he joined us in 2011 after teaching most recently at the University of Colorado-Boulder.

CWPS Signature Events

Images from Recent CWPS Artist Residencies

Click the image to start the slideshow.

Rony Barrak and the Fontomfrom Drum and Dance Ensemble to Perform on March 31

Rony Barrak is a Lebanese percussionist, composer, producer, and master of the Darbouka.

The Ghanaian group known as the Fontomfrom Drum and Dance Ensemble are master drummers and dancers, and former members of the National Dance Company based at the Center for National Culture in Kumasi. Read more here or click on one of the pictures above to see the event flyer.