The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Adapted by James Larson
Based on the book by Beverly Cleary
June 13–14, 20–21, 2013 ♦ Thursday–Friday @ 7:30 p.m.
June 15, 22, 2013 ♦ Saturday @ 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
June 16, 23, 2013 ♦ Sunday @ 4 p.m. ♦ Studio Theatre
This classic tale follows the adventures of Ralph, a reckless, young mouse that ventures out from the knothole of his motel room to find a toy motorcycle. Ralph decides to take the bike for a spin, but the ride doesn’t last long. Fortunately, a young boy named Keith comes to the rescue, taking Ralph on a journey of friendship and motorcycling that he won’t soon forget.
Children’s Playshop
Since its inception in 1994, the JMU Children'’s Playshop has been entertaining families from across the Shenandoah Valley with quality family theatre. It became a summer tradition for families to see young professional actors perform fairy tales, sing family friendly musicals, and bring contemporary children’s literature magically come to life. That tradition has now carried over to the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, where student performers and audiences have the opportunity to come together in the highly flexible Studio Theatre.
Ticket prices: $8.50–$9.50. General Admission Seating. Advance tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person at the box office (Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and one hour prior to performance). Cash, checks, major credit cards, JACards accepted.
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Buy Single Tickets
Charlotte’s Web
Adapted by Joseph Robinette
Based on the book by E.B. White
July 18–19, 25–26, 2013 ♦ Thursday–Friday @ 7:30 p.m.
July 20, 27, 2013 ♦ Saturday @ 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
July 21, 28, 2013 ♦ Sunday @ 4 p.m. ♦ Studio Theatre
The best-selling children’s paperback of all time, Charlotte’s Web tells the story of Wilbur, the irresistible young pig that desperately wants to avoid the butcher, and Charlotte, the extraordinary spider on a campaign to save him. Watch this timeless tale come to life in a thrilling theatrical presentation!
Children’s Playshop
Since its inception in 1994, the JMU Children'’s Playshop has been entertaining families from across the Shenandoah Valley with quality family theatre. It became a summer tradition for families to see young professional actors perform fairy tales, sing family friendly musicals, and bring contemporary children’s literature magically come to life. That tradition has now carried over to the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, where student performers and audiences have the opportunity to come together in the highly flexible Studio Theatre.
Ticket prices: $8.50–$9.50. General Admission Seating. Advance tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person at the box office (Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and one hour prior to performance). Cash, checks, major credit cards, JACards accepted.
Learn More
Buy Single Tickets
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Adapted by James Larson
Based on the book by Beverly Cleary
June 13–14, 20–21, 2013 ♦ Thursday–Friday @ 7:30 p.m.
June 15, 22, 2013 ♦ Saturday @ 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
June 16, 23, 2013 ♦ Sunday @ 4 p.m. ♦ Studio Theatre
This classic tale follows the adventures of Ralph, a reckless, young mouse that ventures out from the knothole of his motel room to find a toy motorcycle. Ralph decides to take the bike for a spin, but the ride doesn’t last long. Fortunately, a young boy named Keith comes to the rescue, taking Ralph on a journey of friendship and motorcycling that he won’t soon forget.
Children’s Playshop
Since its inception in 1994, the JMU Children'’s Playshop has been entertaining families from across the Shenandoah Valley with quality family theatre. It became a summer tradition for families to see young professional actors perform fairy tales, sing family friendly musicals, and bring contemporary children’s literature magically come to life. That tradition has now carried over to the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, where student performers and audiences have the opportunity to come together in the highly flexible Studio Theatre.
Ticket prices: $8.50–$9.50. General Admission Seating. Advance tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person at the box office (Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and one hour prior to performance). Cash, checks, major credit cards, JACards accepted.
Learn More
Buy Single Tickets
Charlotte’s Web
Adapted by Joseph Robinette
Based on the book by E.B. White
July 18–19, 25–26, 2013 ♦ Thursday–Friday @ 7:30 p.m.
July 20, 27, 2013 ♦ Saturday @ 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
July 21, 28, 2013 ♦ Sunday @ 4 p.m. ♦ Studio Theatre
The best-selling children’s paperback of all time, Charlotte’s Web tells the story of Wilbur, the irresistible young pig that desperately wants to avoid the butcher, and Charlotte, the extraordinary spider on a campaign to save him. Watch this timeless tale come to life in a thrilling theatrical presentation!
Children’s Playshop
Since its inception in 1994, the JMU Children'’s Playshop has been entertaining families from across the Shenandoah Valley with quality family theatre. It became a summer tradition for families to see young professional actors perform fairy tales, sing family friendly musicals, and bring contemporary children’s literature magically come to life. That tradition has now carried over to the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, where student performers and audiences have the opportunity to come together in the highly flexible Studio Theatre.
Ticket prices: $8.50–$9.50. General Admission Seating. Advance tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person at the box office (Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and one hour prior to performance). Cash, checks, major credit cards, JACards accepted.
Learn More
Buy Single Tickets
Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday, Noon–4 p.m.
Or by appointment
Warren Hall, 4th floor
The gallery features changing exhibitions of international, national and regional significance.
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Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Festival Conference and Student Center, Room 1108
The Skyline Museum contains student curated exhibits from the Madison Art Collection.
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Monday–Thursday, Noon–5 p.m.
Friday–Saturday, Noon–4 p.m.
131 Grace Street
New Image Gallery, housed in a separate room off of artWorks Gallery, features contemporary photography by regional, national and international artists.
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Monday–Thursday, Noon–5 p.m.
Friday–Saturday, Noon–4 p.m.
131 Grace Street
artWorks, JMU’s student-run gallery, exhibits work by undergraduate and graduate students. Exhibits change frequently and opening receptions are held on the first Monday of each show.
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Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Festival Conference and Student Center, Lower Level
The Prism Gallery is dedicated to emphasizing aspects of diversity, including areas of culture, religion, gender and sexuality.
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Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Or by appointment
Roop Hall, Room 208
The Institute for Visual Studies is a center for scholarly, scientific and creative inquiry into the nature and workings of images.
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Second Annual Sing Out!
Twenty-three students from Harrisonburg High School will perform in the second annual Sing Out!: An A Cappella Celebration featuring JMU’s seven amazing a cappella groups. The concert takes place on Tuesday, March 12, and Wednesday, March 13, at 8 p.m. at the Forbes Center at JMU. Read more.
Free and Public Lecture
Set, costume and production designer/stage director, Tony Walton, known for his work on Broadway, the West End, and in opera and film, will give a lecture titled “Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Artists in Collaboration and a Life in Theatre” in the Forbes Center Mainstage Theatre on March 14 at 7 p.m. Read more.
Making a Difference
JMU senior Christopher Little is getting ready to graduate in May, so the song he chose to arrange, Keep Holding On (GLEE version) by Avril Lavigne and Lukasz Gottwald, for the finale of the Forbes Center’s Sing Out! concert is particularly applicable. Read more
Donald Smith
At 93 years of age, Donald Smith has been supporting JMU events for “nearly a quarter of a century or more.” A man who made music his vocation, Smith attends even more performances—a great majority of them—now that the Forbes Center has opened. He enjoys everything from the symphony orchestra to the wind symphony to the choral programs. Read More

More than just a photography class
Five JMU seniors learned more than photography in their advanced photo class. They also learned about DNA and the ethical implications of genetic advancements. One student called it an "intense" project. Read more

Volunteer at the Forbes Center
Interested in becoming part of the Forbes family? The Forbes Center is recruiting community volunteers to serve as ushers, docents/tour guides and as street team/group sales members. If interested, click here to fill out a volunteer form! Volunteer Now!

Students advance to national festival
Twenty theatre students and three faculty members from the School of Theatre and Dance represented JMU at the Region II Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Towson, Md. Three JMU students captured first prize in their respective categories. … Read more

A true learning community
Students and administrators alike came out to celebrate the Grand Opening of Wayland Hall, the home of JMU’s newest learning community for the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The celebration took place on Friday, September 30. Wayland’s learning community is the first of its kind at JMU… More about Wayland Hall

Forbes Center wins national award
The Forbes Center has won a 2011 Merit Award from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology! This award recognizes the center as a forerunner in creative design and exploration of technology. … Read more

Studio art major shares experience
When Angel America Elza ('10), a studio art major, participated in JMU's Semester in Florence study abroad program, she shared her photographs with the JMU community. "This was a life-changing adventure, … It showed me how to be the change I wish to see in my life, at our school, and in our world," she says. Relive her adventure … Learn more

Excelling in careers and beyond
Composer Soon Hee Newbold ('96) and her husband, film sound engineer Erin Rettig ('96) are at the top of their industries, and both have found unique ways to leverage their Madison academic experience. George Sparks, dean of JMU's College of Visual and Performing Arts says they're "signifiers of the really fine foundational education that you get in liberal arts." … Read more

Local mining company is a real jewel
JMU alumnus Stuart Mercer turned his love for rocks into a gem of a business. Mercer mines, cuts and polishes Virginia gemstones and individually creates settings of sterling silver or 18-carat gold, resulting in jewelry like the pictured Amazonite pieces. Check out Mercer's gallery year-round at the Oasis Gallery in Harrisonburg. … Read more

K-12 students explore art and culture
Third grade students from Riverheads Elementary School in Augusta County created animal masks as part of the final field trip of the semester offered by the Madison Art Collection and The Gallery at Festival at JMU. Two-thousand K-12 students participated in the field trips during the Fall 2010 semester. Two-thousand more are expected for the spring. …Read more

Cross-disciplinary experience at work
"I came to JMU to study biology," says Reshma Shetty ('99). Instead, she earned an undergrad degree in music performance magna cum laude. Her cross-disciplinary experiences are coming in handy, though. She plays a doctor on TV … …Read more

Wolf Sherrill wins best actor
Critics claim JMU faculty member Wolf Sherrill "deftly played alternating roles with lightning dexterity" in his portrayal of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins in a 2010 world premiere production of Pride and Prejudice. Such accolades earned Sherrill a best actor nod. Hear what the winner has to say about this prestigious award. … Read more

JMU professor fosters creativity
Kate Trammell believes that each individual is innately gifted with creativity, and she has proof — a wealth of experiences gained from teaching and performing throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to teaching modern dance … … Read more

Columbia Records exec shares with students
Years after graduating from JMU, Brian Nolan ('02) has learned that persistence and dedication pay off. Now an executive at Columbia Records, Nolan told his story to a group of nearly 100 students in … Read more