Oct. 1–4 & 8–11. Malcolm Tulip directs drama students in short works by this celebrated Irish playwright known for his verbal play, visual precision, and political imagination. The plays, written between the late 1950s and the early 1980s, include Act Without Words II, Play, Come and Go, Footfalls, Rockaby, Catastrophe, What Where, and Quad. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), & 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. Tickets $35 (students, $16) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0583.

Oct. 7–10. One of the world’s 50 top jazz/avant music festivals, according to DownBeat, this annual event includes multiple shows over 4 days. Today: A Conversation with Roscoe Mitchell (5 p.m., Community High School auditorium, 401 N. Division) is followed by a performance by the local experimental & improvisational Creative Arts Orchestra featuring Edgefest honoree master Detroit saxophonist Mitchell, one of the great jazz innovators of the post-Coltrane, post-Ayler era. Includes the world premiere of a composition by Michael Malis. At the Kerrytown Concert House: Ken Kozora’s “Birds of a Feather” (7 p.m.) is a world fusion ensemble led by multi-instrumentalist Kozora, a veteran local jazz luminary. The quartet Dimensionality (8 p.m.) features improvisational singer Andrea Wolper. The West Michigan quartet Teiku (9 p.m.) is known for its experimental jazz improvisations on ancestral Jewish melodies. Improvisation-centered ensemble the Michael TA Thompson Quintet (10 p.m.) is led by New York–based postbop and free jazz drummer Thompson and includes vocalist Deanna Relyea. 5, 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m., Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $20 per show (students, age 18 & under, $10) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. $70 day passes (Saturday, $100) and 240–390 full festival passes in advance only online & by phone. (734) 769–2999.

October 2–17. Brandy Joe Plambeck directs local actors in Joseph Zettelmaier’s new gothic drama. Deep beneath the famed Palais Garnier Opera House, a mysterious masked man recalls the events of his ghoulish life, which is nearing its end. Adult topics. 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 7 p.m. (Sun.). Cahoots, 206 E. Huron St. Tickets $28 (students, $20; seniors, $25), in advance at pennyseats.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 926–5346, [email protected].

Oct. 7–10. One of the world’s 50 top jazz/avant music festivals, according to DownBeat, this annual event includes multiple shows over 4 days. Today: A Conversation with Roscoe Mitchell (5 p.m., Community High School auditorium, 401 N. Division) is followed by a performance by the local experimental & improvisational Creative Arts Orchestra featuring Edgefest honoree master Detroit saxophonist Mitchell, one of the great jazz innovators of the post-Coltrane, post-Ayler era. Includes the world premiere of a composition by Michael Malis. At the Kerrytown Concert House: Ken Kozora’s “Birds of a Feather” (7 p.m.) is a world fusion ensemble led by multi-instrumentalist Kozora, a veteran local jazz luminary. The quartet Dimensionality (8 p.m.) features improvisational singer Andrea Wolper. The West Michigan quartet Teiku (9 p.m.) is known for its experimental jazz improvisations on ancestral Jewish melodies. Improvisation-centered ensemble the Michael TA Thompson Quintet (10 p.m.) is led by New York–based postbop and free jazz drummer Thompson and includes vocalist Deanna Relyea. 5, 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m., Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $20 per show (students, age 18 & under, $10) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. $70 day passes (Saturday, $100) and 240–390 full festival passes in advance only online & by phone. (734) 769–2999.

Oct. 7–10. One of the world’s 50 top jazz/avant music festivals, according to DownBeat, this annual event includes multiple shows over 4 days. Today: A Conversation with Roscoe Mitchell (5 p.m., Community High School auditorium, 401 N. Division) is followed by a performance by the local experimental & improvisational Creative Arts Orchestra featuring Edgefest honoree master Detroit saxophonist Mitchell, one of the great jazz innovators of the post-Coltrane, post-Ayler era. Includes the world premiere of a composition by Michael Malis. At the Kerrytown Concert House: Ken Kozora’s “Birds of a Feather” (7 p.m.) is a world fusion ensemble led by multi-instrumentalist Kozora, a veteran local jazz luminary. The quartet Dimensionality (8 p.m.) features improvisational singer Andrea Wolper. The West Michigan quartet Teiku (9 p.m.) is known for its experimental jazz improvisations on ancestral Jewish melodies. Improvisation-centered ensemble the Michael TA Thompson Quintet (10 p.m.) is led by New York–based postbop and free jazz drummer Thompson and includes vocalist Deanna Relyea. 5, 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m., Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $20 per show (students, age 18 & under, $10) in advance at kerrytownconcerthouse.com & (if available) at the door. $70 day passes (Saturday, $100) and 240–390 full festival passes in advance only online & by phone. (734) 769–2999.

Oct. 8–10. All invited to this annual gathering of enthusiasts of the original Argus camera company, which operated in Ann Arbor 1936–1969. Events include presentations, exhibitions (see Galleries), a field trip to the Henry Ford Museum, meals, photo contests, and auctions. Thurs. 3–8 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m., 525 W. William. $50 (members, $40) suggested donation. Preregistration required at argusmuseum.org/fall-conference. (313) 499–0551.